Runaway Train Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two dudes escape prison, find a train that’s also trying to escape, and it’s all downhill from there (literally).

🍿 Runaway Train: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Prison Break and Escape

Oscar ‘Manny’ Manheim, a notorious bank robber, escapes from Stonehaven Maximum Security Prison in Alaska with the help of fellow inmate Buck. The vindictive Warden Ranken, Manny’s nemesis, is determined to recapture him. After a grueling trek through the freezing wilderness, the two convicts reach a remote rail yard.

The Runaway Train

Manny and Buck hop aboard a train consisting of four locomotives. The elderly engineer suffers a heart attack, causing the train to accelerate out of control. They soon realize the train is a runaway, with no way to stop it. Unbeknownst to them, a railway worker named Sara is also on board.

Desperate Measures

As the train speeds towards disaster, dispatcher Frank Barstow attempts to divert it, but the train continues to barrel out of control. Manny, Buck, and Sara try to reach the lead engine to stop it, but face numerous obstacles. The situation grows increasingly dire as the train approaches a dangerous curve near a chemical plant.

Showdown and Sacrifice

Warden Ranken, determined to recapture Manny, pursues the train by helicopter. Manny, fueled by his hatred for Ranken, makes a perilous leap to the lead engine and confronts the warden. In a final act of defiance, Manny uncouples the lead engine, sacrificing himself to save Buck and Sara.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Manny (Jon Voight): A hardened, ruthless convict who escapes from an Alaskan prison and finds himself on a runaway train, facing his own mortality.
• Buck (Eric Roberts): A naive and unintelligent young convict who idolizes Manny and joins his escape, only to face the harsh realities of his mentor’s nature.
• Sara (Rebecca De Mornay): A resourceful railway worker trapped on the runaway train who tries to help Manny and Buck while also fighting for her own survival.
• Ranken (John P. Ryan): The sadistic and vengeful prison warden obsessed with recapturing Manny, even at the cost of his own life.
• Frank Barstow (Kyle T. Heffner): A train dispatcher who must make difficult decisions to try and stop the runaway train, facing immense pressure and moral dilemmas.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Manny: “Win, lose, what’s the difference?” – Manny says this to Buck, encapsulating his nihilistic philosophy and disregard for societal norms.
• Manny: “That’s bullshit. You’re not gonna do nothin’ like that… Because you don’t want to see that fear in his eyes when you jump up & grab his face, and slam him to the floor, and make him scream & cry for his life.” – Manny tells Buck what reality will be like outside prison.
• Ranken: “Manheim is an animal, and I’m gonna put him back in his cage.” – Warden Ranken expresses his obsessive desire to recapture Manny, highlighting their adversarial relationship.
• Manny: “No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity… But I know none, and therefore am no beast.” – Manny recites this quote from Shakespeare’s Richard III at the film’s climax, reflecting on his own lack of compassion as the train races to its doom.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $9,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $7,683,620
• Worldwide Gross: $7,683,620

💥 Runaway Train Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Runaway Train’ is a wild ride! I remember watching it late at night and being completely glued to the screen. Jon Voight is absolutely terrifying and Eric Roberts is perfectly cast as the kind of dim-witted sidekick you can’t help but root for. That scene where Voight gives Roberts the ‘little spot’ speech sent chills down my spine. And the ending? So bleak, so powerful, so unforgettable. It’s one of those movies that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Action movie fans”
  • “Thriller enthusiasts”
  • “Fans of Jon Voight and Eric Roberts”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Intense scenes”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Konchalovsky delivers a thrilling action-drama with profound themes of freedom and humanity. Voight and Roberts give career-defining performances amidst breathtaking Alaskan scenery. A surprisingly intelligent and visceral film.
• The New York Times: “Runaway Train is a relentless thrill ride, elevated by Kurosawa’s influence and the intensity of its stars. While the plot is straightforward, the film explores deeper questions about man’s struggle against fate and authority.
• RogerEbert.com: “An interesting, though flawed, action film that delves into existential themes. Voight’s performance is captivating, but the script occasionally veers into melodrama. However, the suspense and visual spectacle are undeniable.

Audience Reactions

Jon Voight’s raw and intense performance as Manny is unforgettable.: Viewers praise the film’s suspenseful plot and thought-provoking themes.

The film’s ending is both tragic and powerful, leaving a lasting impression.: Many agree that the action sequences are thrilling and well-executed, adding to the overall excitement.

Overall Consensus: Runaway Train is a thrilling action-drama with standout performances and surprisingly deep themes, though some find the plot and characters occasionally over-the-top.

Awards

1. Golden Globe (Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama)- 1986

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Runaway Train was based on an original screenplay by Akira Kurosawa, written in the 1960s but never produced until director Andrei Konchalovsky discovered it.”
• “Danny Trejo, who plays a small role as a boxer, was discovered on set while visiting a friend. Edward Bunker, a writer on the film, recognized Trejo from their time together in San Quentin State Prison and helped him get the job.”
• “The extreme conditions of filming in Alaska and Montana during winter were real, adding to the authenticity of the actors’ performances.”
• “Jon Voight and Eric Roberts both received Academy Award nominations for their performances in this film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Runaway Train?

Currently, ‘Runaway Train’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Runaway Train, you might like these similar films:

• Unstoppable (2010): A modern thriller centered around an out-of-control train, providing similar suspense and action but with contemporary special effects.
• The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974): Features a tense situation involving a hijacked subway train in New York, creating a suspenseful atmosphere of control and potential disaster.
• Death Race (2008): Set in a prison environment where convicts are forced to participate in deadly races, sharing the themes of confinement and brutal competition.
• The Grey (2011): A group of men surviving in the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash, sharing the themes of survival against the odds in a harsh environment.

🛒 Runaway Train Related Products

• Runaway Train (Blu-ray): A must-own for fans, this Blu-ray edition features stunning visuals and enhanced audio, bringing the intense action to life.
• Model Train Set – Alaskan Railroad: Inspired by the movie’s setting, this detailed model train set lets you recreate the Alaskan wilderness and the iconic locomotives.
• Runaway Train – Movie Poster: High-quality reprint of the original movie poster. A great addition to any movie buff’s collection.
• Alaskan Wilderness Survival Guide: For those inspired by Manny and Buck’s rugged escape, this guide teaches essential survival skills in the harsh Alaskan environment.

🎧 Soundtrack

Runaway Train features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Gloria in D Major” – performed by Antonio Vivaldi
• “Runaway Train (Original Score)” – performed by Trevor Jones

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

RUNAWAY TRAIN (1985): See this awesome 80’s flick! (Reel Action)

Ever wondered what made Runaway Train such a unique 80s action flick? This review dives deep into its Cannon Films roots and why it’s more than just explosions – it’s a genuinely great movie!

✨ Rate