Marathon Man (UK)

7 / 10
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One of the most daring and affecting thrillers ever brought to the screen
Certificate: 18
Running Time: 119 mins
Retail Price: £19.99
Release Date:

Synopsis:
From William Goldman`s best-selling novel comes one of the most daring and affecting thrillers ever brought to the screen. Dustin Hoffman plays the likeable graduate student and marathon runner of the title, unwillingly trapped in a killing game of intruige involving a Nazi fugitive, Christian Szell. Laurence Olivier received an Academy Award nomination for his chilling portrayal of the sadistic Szell, who turns dental instruments into tools of torture with dispassionate ease. Directed by John Schlesinger and co-starring Roy Scheider and William Devane, Marathon Man moves with nail-biting suspense to its thrilling, fever-pitched conclusion. Is it safe?

Special Features:
Rehearsal footage
`Remembering Marathon Man` cast and crew interviews
`The Magic of Hollywood is the magic of people` featurette
Theatrical trailer

Subtitle Tracks:
Icelandic
Polish
Czech
Swedish
Finnish
Turkish
Romanian
English
German
CC: English
Hungarian
Dutch
Arabic
Danish
Norwegian
Bulgarian

Directed By:
John Schlesinger

Written By:


Starring:
Marthe Keller
William Devane
Roy Scheider
Laurence Olivier
Dustin Hoffman

Casting By:
Mike Fenton
Jane Feinberg

Soundtrack By:
Franz Schubert
Jules Massenet
Michael Small

Director of Photography:
Conrad L. Hall

Editor:
Jim Clark

Costume Designer:
Roland Meledandri
Robert De Mora

Production Designer:
Richard MacDonald

Producer:
George Justin
Robert Evans
Sidney Beckerman

Distributor:
Paramount Pictures

Your Opinions and Comments

7 / 10
Babe Levy is a twentysomething history student and athlete. His brother Doc is a successful businessman. When his brother turn up at his home with a fatal stab wound, Babe wonders whether his brother is the man he claims to be. After finding out from one of Doc`s associates that he was a government agent, Babe is then kidnapped and tortured by a vicious Nazi, Christian Szell. Babe has to find out a way out in order to survive.

The picture quality of this film is excellent throughout. The 5.1 remix is also very good and is quite effective particulary with the film`s score.

It seems Paramount are trying to improve in the extras department. While this is not a special edition, there is over an hour of extra material. First of all is the original trailer which lasts over 2 minutes. This is followed by an original 1976 featurette called "The Magic of Hollywood Is the Magic Of People". This lasts 20 minutes and is narrated by the film`s producer and former Paramount head Robert Evans. This contains some nice behind-the-scenes footage and some interview with director John Schlesinger.

Next is a 30 minute retrospective featurette which lasts 30 minutes. Featuring interviews with several members of the cast and crew, this is a very interesting featurette which reveals a lot about the film. Finally is 20 minutes of rehearsal footage mixed in with new interviews. This is also interesting to watch as we see the actor`s finding their feet in their respective roles.

Overall, this is an entertaining thriller with some great performances. Paramount should be applauded for doing a good job with this release. Well worth adding to your collection.
posted by dvd_man on 21/8/2003 14:23