The Running Man Page #7

Synopsis: In the year 2017, the world economy has collapsed. The great freedoms of the United States are no longer, as the once great nation has sealed off its borders and become a militarized police state, censoring all film, art, literature, and communications. Even so, a small resistance force led by two revolutionaries manages to fight the oppression. With full control over the media, the government attempts to quell the nation's yearning for freedom by broadcasting a number of game shows on which convicted criminals fight for their lives. The most popular and sadistic of these programs is "The Running Man," hosted by Damon Killian. When a peaceful protest of starving citizens gathers in Bakersfield, California, a police officer named Ben Richards is ordered to fire on the crowd, which he refuses to do. Subdued by the other officers, the attack is carried out, and Richards is framed for the murder of almost a hundred unarmed civilians. Following a daring jail break months later, Ri
Director(s): Paul Michael Glaser
Production: Vestron Video
  1 win & 3 nominations.
 
IMDB:
6.7
Metacritic:
45
Rotten Tomatoes:
63%
R
Year:
1987
101 min
3,293 Views


Why aren't you laughing?

Because there's nothing funny about a dickless moron

with a battery up his ass!

Come on!

Out! Out!

I'll show you dickless!

- Get out of my way!

- Get down! Down!

Let's go!

Hello, cutie pie.

One of us is in deep trouble.

Sven, do you want to talk to Mr. Richards?

Well?

I got to score some steroids.

You look pissed, Ben.

Believe me, you got every right to be.

But, hey, will you – will you just let me explain?

This is television. That's all it is.

It's nothing to do with people. It's to do with the ratings.

For 50 years, we've told them what to eat, what to

drink, what to wear.

For Christ's sake, Ben, don't you understand?

Americans love television.

They wean their kids on it.

Listen, they love game shows, they love wrestling.

They love sports and violence.

So what do we do? We give 'em what they want!

We're number one, Ben. That's all that counts.

Believe me. I've been in the business 30 years.

Well I haven't been in show business as long

as you have Killian, but I'm a quick learner.

So I'm going to give the audience what I think they want.

- Wait!

You bastard! Drop dead!

- I don't do requests.

- No!

Well that hit the spot.

Yeah!

Yee-haw!

All right! Yeah!

Richards! Richards! Richards! Richards!

Richards! Richards! Richards! Richards!

The Running Man has been brought to you by...

Breakaway Paramilitary Uniforms...

Orthopure Procreation Pills...

and Cadre Cola...|it hits the spot.

Promotional considerations paid for by:

Kelton Flamethrowers,

Wainwright Electrical Launchers...

and Hammond and Gage Chainsaws.

Damon Killian's wardrobe by Chez Antoine

19th century craftsmanship for the 21st century man.

Cadre trooper and studio guard sidearms

provided by Colchester, the pistol of patriots.

Remember, tickets for the ICS studio tour are

always available for class-A citizens in good standing.

If you'd like to be a contestant on The Running Man...

send a self-addressed, stamped envelope...

to "ICS Talent Hunt", care of your local affliliate...

and then go out and do something really despicable.

I'm Phil Hilton! Good night, and take care.

Rate this script:3.0 / 1 vote

Steven E. de Souza

Steven Edward de Souza (born November 17, 1947) is an American producer, director and screenwriter. He is among a handful of screenwriters whose films have earned over US$2 billion at the worldwide box office. more…

All Steven E. de Souza scripts | Steven E. de Souza Scripts

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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