Synopsis
A hardened convict and a younger prisoner escape from a brutal prison in the middle of winter only to find themselves on an out-of-control train with a female railway worker while being pursued by the vengeful head of security.
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Cast
- Jon VoightOscar 'Manny' Manheim
- Eric RobertsBuck
- Rebecca De MornaySara
- Kyle T. HeffnerFrank Barstow
- John P. RyanRanken
- T.K. CarterDave Prince
- Kenneth McMillanEddie MacDonald
- Stacey PickrenRuby
- Walter WyattConlan
- Edward BunkerJonah
Recommendations
- 100
Chicago Sun-Times
Runaway Train is a reminder that the great adventures are great because they happen to people we care about. - 88
ReelViews
Runaway Train belongs to a rare genre: the intelligent thriller. - 80
CineVue
The true winning formula, however, is found in Voight and Roberts’ double-act. Their eccentric characters are funny, violent and heartwarming all at the same time, where we root for them despite the fact that they’re basically psychopaths. - 75
TV Guide Magazine
The action in this superlative film is relentless and gripping from beginning to end. - 70
Time Out
Somehow one leaves aside the blatant implausibilities, the coincidences, even Eric Roberts, and takes great pleasure in a breakneck ride to the end of the line. And Voight has finally found his niche, abandoning all those wet-eyed liberal roles and playing to the hilt a hideous, raving beast, with scars. Great ending, too. - 63
Chicago Tribune
Although the film isn't an empty picture, it is too much of a good thing. Voight delivers a wonderful speech to Roberts about survival, but it's only one of many such monologues. Similarly, Roberts is tiring in his frantic reactions. - 63
Miami Herald
The movie comes to rest on Voight and, to a lesser extent, on the views of the train itself, which looks great thundering through the snow. Voight is nearly as impressive in appearance, tricked out with some menacing scars and a gold tooth, and he gives his part a reading quite unlike his previous work. [22 Jan 1986, p.D7] - 60
The New York Times
What is well worth watching here, much more so than the train itself, is Jon Voight, who gives a fiery performance in an unusually hard-edged role.
