FitnessProsBooks.com - Marathon Man
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Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier, Roy Scheider, William Devane, Marthe Keller
Directed By: John Schlesinger
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 4010884021936
Format: PAL
Theatrical Release Date: 1976-10-08
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Nazi war criminals may not make the best dentists...
Comment: XXXXX
"Relief...discomfort. Now, which of these next apply, that decision is in your hands so...tell me, is it safe?"
The above quote is from this thriller movie that's based on the novel "Marathon Man" (1974) by William Goldman. Goldman also wrote the screenplay for this movie.
Briefly, Thomas "Babe" Levy (Dustin Hoffman) is a graduate student of history who is also a marathon runner (thus the movie's title). Due to his brother "Doc" (Roy Scheider), he gets involved in a killing game involving a Nazi fugitive (Laurence Olivier) whose profession is dentistry. (The quote at the beginning of this review is what this Nazi dentist says to Babe while interrogating him.)
During the first hour of the movie, the viewer is not told what is going on. Everything is presented in bits and pieces. Some viewers may be discouraged by this. Be assured that everything is put together in the second hour. To get full enjoyment from this movie, I strongly recommend that you pay close attention to the first half of the movie.
Over-all, this movie has nail-biting suspense, plot twists, and an excellent, fever-pitched conclusion. The back-ground music adds to each scene.
The acting is excellent. Dustin Hoffman effectively carries the movie. However, kudos must go to Laurence Olivier as the war criminal. In fact, his performance was so good that it was nominated for an Academy Award (best actor in a supporting role).
It was only after the movie was over that I identified some problems. First, I couldn't understand the significance of some scenes. As well, the people involved in this movie are portrayed as being smart and cunning. However, they put themselves in dumb and dangerous situations. This seemed unrealistic to me.
Finally, the DVD (the one released in 2001) itself is perfect in picture and sound quality. It has four extras.
In conclusion, this movie is truly a thriller that's filled with suspense. Before ending this review, I ask again,
"Is it safe?"
(1975; 2 hr 5 min; wide screen; 50 scenes)
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Two bitter old dudes at beginning of the movie ...
Comment: The movie begins with a great introductory note on the ramifications of retaliatory politics. In other words, the two bitter old dudes at the beginning of the movie may be a somewhat telling introduction to the rest of the movie content.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Perfectly cast film with a great script
Comment: In Marathon man, Laurence Olivier proves once again that great suspense films have really scary villains. Another suspense plot element that works well is a fish-out-of-water hero that must rise above his normal existence to defeat an evil giant. Dustin Hoffman plays the reluctant and baffled protagonist to perfection.
One piece of advice, however: do not watch this film prior to a dental appointment.
The Shut Mouth Society
The Shopkeeper
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Classic
Comment: It is almost a cliche - the line "Is it safe?" and the related fear of dentists that everyone seems to have from this movie.
A wonderful thriller with outstanding performances by Dustin Hoffman and Lawrence Olivier plus numerous others.
Hoffman gets mixed up with some rather unsavory characters who think that he has information and he is pursued relentlessly for something he cannot provide.
One of the best thrillers you will ever see.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Outstanding action
Comment: It is always nice to review a classic movie with superb performances like Olivier and Hoffmann
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Editorial Reviews:
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John Schlesinger (Midnight Cowboy) directed this gripping, entertaining 1977 thriller that centers on graduate student Dustin Hoffman (The Graduate, Tootsie). Hoffman plays a sullen and cowardly loner haunted by the suicide of his father, a suspected communist. He is drawn into a murky web of international intrigue when his brother, CIA agent Doc Levy, played by Roy Scheider (Jaws, The French Connection), is murdered by a former Nazi (Laurence Olivier) who has come to the United States to reclaim a valuable stash of diamonds. Babe (Hoffman) must confront his fears of the past as he runs for his life and tries to avenge his brother's death at the same time. Featuring a classic torture sequence and a terrific cast that includes William Devane and Marthe Keller, this film written by William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President's Men) stands as a great entertainment and as one of the seminal films of the 1970s. --Robert Lane
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