The Running Man (1963)

You love it, don't you? I mean, you love taking risks and teasing him because you think he's trying to catch you. The Running Man is directed by Carol Reed and is adapted to screenplay by John Mortimer from the novel "The Ballad of the Running Man" written by Shelley Smith. It stars Lee Remick, Laurence Harvey and Alan Bates. Music is by William Alwyn and cinematography by Robert Krasker. Miffed about missing out on an insurance pay out due to a financial technicality, Rex (Harvey) decides to get his own back. He takes out a massive policy and fakes his own death, which subsequently sees his gal Stella (Remick) get the pay out and they run off to sunny climes to live it up. However, when insurance investigator Stephen (Bates) turns up, the deceit and personality shifts begin to hang heavy on the situation. You see the names Reed and Krasker as a pairing and it instantly conjures up images of truly great film noir in magical monochrome. So watching The Running Man in booming colour makes it something of a first time viewing curio. It looks terrific, no problems on that score, the Andalucía locations sparkle and Remick is positively ravishing. Narrative is pretty much a straight three hander, where Rex and Stella try to keep Stephen from finding out the truth of their swizzle, but as Rex becomes more agitated and gruff, Stella begins to wane as Stephen likewise appears to be attracted to her. Sadly, with the pic in booming colour, there's a lack of peril like menace in the atmosphere, it's all too pretty. As a story this would have had a greater impact in moody monochrome. This is never more felt with the midsection of the piece, where the cat and mousery of the deception becomes a bit too meandering, it lacks an edge. Yet the final quarter saves the pic, as things pick up a couple of gears and truths start to will out, we get taken on a thrilling ride that rewards those who stayed the course. It's lower tier Reed and Krasker, and even though it's Hitchcock like in plotting, it doesn't have the wherewithal to reach great suspenseful heights. However, it's a good film, with interesting characterisations, beautiful locales and a finale that has dramatic worth - nifty opening title credits as well! 7/10