Dead Man's Run

I was completely entertained by this good low budget film. It starts out with an innocent trip by two couples and then when another character enters the picture it just keeps building and building to a completely original and surprising ending. John Savage gives a tour de force performance as the psychopathic killer who holds the two couples captive and once again proves he is probably one of the most underrated actors in America, from "The Onion Fields" "The Deer Hunter" to "Inside Moves" amongst dozens of other great films he just keeps going and going. The late Trevor Goddard brings a really interesting character to life as does the rest of the cast. This little independent film needs to really get out there as it is so well written, directed, acted and the production values are so professional. It's a joy to see such a well made small movie. So for independent film buffs this is a must see!

What an interesting psychological thriller. I watched this movie twice to pick up on all the little nuances and hidden meanings that are cleverly interwoven into this unusual and completely entertaining screenplay. Without giving anything away I found it very refreshing that one of the two couples that are taken hostage by a psychotic killer is an inter-racial marriage, yet there is no mention of that and it is not a story point. It is just the way it is. Too bad we don't see this type of stuff in major studio films where everybody is so obviously paired off according to race unless it is some major exploitation racial issue. The cast is only five people and that could have turned out to be very boring except that excellently directed in this well written piece is an ensemble cast of great actors led by the ever so talented John Savage. I wonder if this film was ever entered into any of the film festivals because I would be very surprised if it did not win some awards. I would like to see more films by Robert J. Hyatt, the writer and director of this movie that I highly recommend.

The script for this film was originally written with the title "Holiday Nightmare" and was to be shot on a yacht at Catalina Island in 1974 and Robert Blake was set to star. Then Blake was signed to do the TV series "Baretta" and there was a clause in his contract that he could not do any other projects. It took twenty six years for the writer-director to finally get the financing in the year 2000. But, the producer insisted that the location be in Tehachapi. So, it had to be re-written from a yacht to a mountain cabin. Then Eric Roberts was to do the lead, but canceled out because of a scheduling conflict. John Savage was cast in his place at the last minute and the movie finally got made. The next year John Savage and Eric Roberts co-starred in another film together and we all know what Blake is doing now.

This is possibly one of the worst films ever. There is no suspense, the plot is utterly predictable, the dialogue ludicrous and the acting appalling. Apart from the fact that one has to suspend all disbelief to forgive the script its premise, it doesn't even evolve into fantasy. It remains incongruous and implausible. Some thrillers thrive on this and actually pull it off, but Dead Man's Run fails in all aspects.Once John Savage has been 'outwitted' his acting reaches histrionics which are so funny, one doubles up. Unfortunately it wears thin and one cannot even laugh at it. The two other blokes are not too bad, but alas the two actresses are at best terrible! Is this all the director and scrip-wright's fault? Perhaps. If you really have nothing else to do, rent this one for a few laughs, but don't expect to be scared.

A friend gave me a video copy of this movie and I really expected it to be just-another-one-of-those type B movies. However, I was pleasantly surprised to be held right to the screen for the entire running time. The writer/director, Robert J. Hyatt, did an excellent job of not only writing a really original story, but directing it in a professional style that gives it a big picture look and there is not a boring scene in it. The cast is terrific and the always riveting John Savage give a brilliant interpretation of a sociopath killer who is completely obsessed with money. I will not spoil the surprise ending that is truly a shocker.