Marathon Man
One man's dangerous attempts to clear his father's name
Overview
A graduate student and obsessive runner in New York is drawn into a mysterious plot involving his brother, a member of the secretive Division.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Released during the height of Cold War paranoia, 'Marathon Man' reflects this cultural anxiety through its portrayal of a rogue Nazi seeking secret information that could have devastating consequences.
- The movie showcases an exceptional performance by Dustin Hoffman, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a troubled marathon runner.
- The thrilling cat-and-mouse chase between Hoffman's character and Sir Laurence Olivier's Nazi dentist adds to the suspense and tension throughout the film.
- The movie explores themes of identity, morality, and the lasting impact of World War II, making it a thought-provoking watch beyond its action sequences.
Fun Facts
- The famous 'Is it safe?' dental scene was inspired by a real-life experience of author William Goldman, who underwent root canal surgery and was asked if he had any painkillers by a dentist who turned out to be a former German doctor.
- Dustin Hoffman learned to run the New York City Marathon for his role as a marathon runner. Despite being an asthmatic, he managed to complete the marathon in just over 4 hours.
- Sir Laurence Olivier initially refused to play the villainous Nazi character due to its negative portrayal of Germans. However, after receiving assurances from director John Schlesinger that the film was an anti-Nazi statement, he agreed to take on the role.
Available Languages
English
US
Title:
"One man's dangerous attempts to clear his father's name"
Deutsch
DE
Title: Der Marathon-Mann
""
Italiano
IT
Title: Il maratoneta
"I pericolosi tentativi di un uomo di riabilitare il nome di suo padre"
Français
FR
Title:
"Les tentatives dangereuses d'un homme pour blanchir le nom de son père."
Polski
PL
Title: Maratończyk
"Niebezpieczne próby jednego człowieka, by oczyścić imię swego ojca"
Español
ES
Title:
"El peligro que corre un hombre para limpiar el nombre de su padre."
Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
As a man who quite literally loathes the very idea of a dentist, let alone actually going to visit one - this film adds an extra dimension of ghastliness to the already fairly hideous underlying premiss. That centres around "Babe" (Dustin Hoffman). He is an ordinary history student who is horrified when his older brother is brutally murdered. Why? Well, he sets out to investigate and before long is embroiled in a nazi-hunting plot to track down "Szell" (Sir Laurence Olivier) who is, himself, trying to stay one step ahead of some government agents whilst he tries to track down an huge cache of diamonds. It turns out that this evil creature thought the now deceased brother knew the location of the gems, and of course that puts "Babe" in quite considerable peril and so soon, he is next on the interrogation list. This torture gives the idea of getting a drilling an whole new meaning, as the sound of the dental whirring does more than enough to compensate for the lack of actual visuals. Though the ending is fitting, I found it all just a bit too convenient, but Hoffman is superb here, as are Sir Laurence and an international cast that add depth to this really quite disturbing plot. Even now, when we are so much more used to graphic violence and gore on screen, this is potently gruesome and effective.
Famous Quotes
"Is it safe?"
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - 1976
Laurence Olivier
Media
Trailer
Marathon Man (1976) Original Trailer
Teaser
Marathon Man - Trailer