Runaway Train 4K 1985

Having only recently become interested in the work of director Andrey Konchalovsky, this was the first film I watched. It’s actually strange that I’d never heard of it before, even though my friends call it a cult classic—something I had serious doubts about. But after watching it, I believe not only in its “cult status” but also that we’re looking at a veritable masterpiece. But first things first.

It was very strange to watch this film just a few days after seeing the recently released “Uncontrollable”. It creates a sense that virtually all cinema—and the Hollywood industry as a whole—is derivative. On the surface, it seems like an adventure with elements of a thriller, an action film, and even a romance (a typical hodgepodge), but if you think about it even a little, you can see something much greater. It’s fascinating to watch how an engaging action film transitions into an equally engaging—and highly intelligent—drama about the true nature of a person under extraordinary circumstances. And that nature isn’t always pleasant; often, it can be even worse than it actually seems. The choice of a train as the main setting is no accident. In this case, the railroad symbolizes life’s journey and inevitability. Overall, the screenplay is very complex and multifaceted, despite the simple plot—after all, Akira Kurosawa wrote the original.

Even if you don’t dwell too much on the deeper meaning, many people will still enjoy the film. At the very least because of the excellent (albeit clichéd) plot. It’s truly very interesting and engaging to watch. The characters are complex, but they’re portrayed excellently, largely thanks to the superb dialogue.

The direction is top-notch. It’s impressive that almost all the filming was done on location in winter, especially considering it was still 1985, and the budget was likely not very large. Despite this, there are plenty of very striking and spectacular scenes, excellent cinematography by Alan Hume, and some decent stunts. In addition, there is a great atmosphere, complemented by the wonderful music of Trevor Jones.

A separate topic is the acting. Jon Voight undoubtedly gave his best performance here and deservedly won a Golden Globe for it. But while Voight always delivers, Eric Roberts was the real surprise—I like him, but he usually gives weak performances, though not here; this is an excellent role. I really enjoyed John P. Ryan and Rebecca De Mornay. And attentive viewers will notice a cameo by Danny Trejo, for whom this was his first role.

Conclusion: A very engaging genre film that smoothly transitions into a philosophical parable. One of the most underrated films of the 1980s. And also Andrei Konchalovsky’s best film. A must-watch!