Bravely Kids in the Nazitheme Drawing

7 /10

Widmark and Greer pursued through the jungle by Nazis...

Mike Latimer (Richard Widmark) is a famous novelist who's dropped out of circulation. A reporter (Jane Greer) is undercover--trying to wrangle an exclusive interview with this mercurial man. However, although she is able to make contact with him and befriend him, he doesn't know she's a reporter. What they both don't know is that the plane he's flying them in across the Central American jungle is going to conk out...and leave them stranded in the middle of no where. Does it sound like it couldn't get any worse? Well, it can. Although they are saved from the wreckage, their benefactors turn out to be Nazis hiding out in the jungle and they're not about to let the pair escape if they can help it. Soon, it's a long and torturous trek through the unforgiving jungle...with these nasty jerks in hot pursuit.

While this isn't one of Widmark's very best films, it is quite good and the Nazi theme worked since it was only about a dozen years since the war ended. Tense, well crafted and well worth seeing. Besides, Greer nearly died making this film....so don't you owe it to her sacrifice to see the movie?!

I originally planned on giving this film an 8...it's really good. But near the end, Latimer takes out one of the baddies and then doesn't bother picking up the guy's gun as he makes his escape. This simply makes no sense and annoyed me.

By the way, early on you see the reporter looking through a magazine with a cover story about Latimer. While the magazine looks a lot like LOOK magazine, its name is SIGHT....a rather clever little play on words.

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6 /10

Run With Dick and Jane

Richard Widmark, a Hemingway type writer who craves the solitude of J.D. Salinger, is found in an obscure Mexican village by Jane Greer. Jane's a reporter for a tattletale magazine, but Widmark doesn't find this out till they've started kanoodling. He offers to fly her back to Mexico City.

While enroute they go off course and crash in the jungle. They come upon an Englishman and a Dutch archaeologist, so they say. In reality it's a diplomat who was a member of the pro-Nazi Cliveden set and who defected during World War II. The Dutchman with him is really a former Wehrmacht high officer and his brother-in-law.

Trevor Howard and Peter Van Eyck don't want word of their secret to get out so Widmark and Greer have to die. Now starts the chase through the jungle like The Most Dangerous Game.

Of course this is a remake of that film, but the characters are a bit more complex. Widmark's an alcoholic writer who craves his privacy as much as Howard and Van Eyck do. Greer's a reporter who's gone after Widmark's story and now has an even bigger one potentially.

In the original film it was more of a morality play. Joel McCrea and Leslie Banks were certainly classical hero and villain respectively and Fay Wray was not the independent woman that Greer is.

Still this is a good remake helped a lot by the outdoor locations instead of RKO's backlot jungle.

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For Fans of Widmark and Greer

Run from the Sun (1956)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Decent reworking of THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME features Richard Widmark and Jane Greer playing a couple writers whose plane crashes in the Mexican jungle. They're taken in by a couple strange men (Trevor Howard, Peter van Eyck) who just happen to be escape Nazis and soon the writers must race through the jungle to try and reach safety. This isn't a direct remake of the 1932 classic and it's a case where I really wish they had stuck closer to the original film instead of trying to do something new. I always admire remakes/re-workings that at least try and do something different but here's a case where the end results really don't work as well as they should have. I really put the majority of the blame on the screenplay because the 99-minute running time doesn't get to the adventure until around the 70-minute mark and by this time the pacing has been so hit and miss that as the viewer you're already taken out of the story. By the time you reach the eventual chase it becomes rather obvious that our two heroes are in no danger and this is a major problem because it leads us to have no suspense anywhere in the story. The first half of the movie tries to build up all the characters, which I wouldn't mind but the screenplay really doesn't do much in terms of character development. I personally found the two lead characters to be rather boring and not once did I buy into their "issues", which include the female hiding the fact that she was a reporter trying to track down Widmark, a famous author who is trying to stay away from the public. The two bad guys are rather interesting characters but their story is quickly told and sadly the two of them are off screen way too much. Once the eventual adventure starts the direction really isn't strong enough to keep the film moving. The jungle settings are never really used to build up anything and while the final ten-minutes finally get some suspense, there are just a few too many silly moments to make the thing completely come together. Both Widmark and Greer are good in their parts but one wishes they had more to work with. Howard easily steals the film as the bad guy but he doesn't get that much screen time. RUN FOR THE SUN has a few interesting moments but not enough to make the film worth viewing unless you're fans of the actors.

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7 /10

man hunting man thriller

Katie Connors (Jane Greer) arrives in a remote Mexican village hoping to do an interview with novelist and adventurer Mike Latimer (Richard Widmark). He spends his time fishing, drinking, and other manly pursuits away from the spotlight. He agrees to fly her to Mexico City but they crash in the jungle. They are rescued by Browne (Trevor Howard), archaeologist Dr. Van Anders (Peter van Eyck), and their local servants. There appears to be something strange going on.

The movie should hold back the Nazi reveal. When Mike finds the room, he should set off on an escape plan. Quite frankly, the Nazis would kill them both when the whole story is told. I don't think that they would let them sleep in their own rooms. The movie loses a bit of tension when the Nazis aren't the most determined. The dogs are good and scary. It's man hunting man thriller. It's partly good.

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7 /10

Never A Dull Moment.

Warning: Spoilers

Rather fun. Widmark is an Ernest Hemingway figure who is suffering from writer's block and has hidden away in a tiny Mexican village where he spends his time fishing and drinking. Jane Greer is on the editorial board of a New York magazine who disguises her identity and seeks him out to write a tell-all piece about him.

When the time comes for Greer to leave, Widmark offers to fly her from the minuscule airfield of San Marcos (not the one in Texas) to Mexico City, but Greer innocently places her metal notepad next to the compass and the airplane gets lost over the Mexican jungle.

After the crash, which is ill-handled by the producer, Widmark and Greer find themselves guests at an ancient but elaborate hacienda in the middle of the bush. Their hosts are Trevor Howard, who turns out to be Lord Haw Haw in hiding, and Peter van Eyck, his companion who claims to be a Dutch archaeologist but is really an escaped Nazi. It's always interesting to see which cultural group the Thought Police will use as villains. One might think, well, 1956, maybe a secret band of Soviet terrorists spreading communism among the Yanomami, but, no, they haven't forgiven the Germans yet.

Widmark begins to twig early on. He's heard their voices somewhere. As Lord Haw Haw, of course, Widmark would have heard his propaganda broadcasts in England during the war. And when, at dinner, van Eyck says he's studying the pre-Mayan cultures of the area, Widmark, in a tone full of suspicion, remarks that he didn't think there were any cultures before the Mayan. Of course, he's wrong. Where does he think the Mayans sprang from, a nest of ants, like myrmidons? Anyway, all that is prologue. The last third of the movie is an exciting chase through the bush, borrowing heavily from "The Most Dangerous Game" and "The Hounds of Zaroff." After they escape, Widmark and Greer plunge through jungle and rivers armed with nothing but a bush knife and the various traps Widmark manages to set to knock off the men and dogs who are in hot pursuit.

There is no poetry in the film. Widmark may be a writer but after a brief exchange with Greer in a cantina, that persona is quickly dispensed with and he becomes a traditional macho anti-intellectual hero in an adventure movie. And when the duo in danger hide a few feet away from Howard and van Eyck, I thought of a similar moment in Fritz Lang's "An American Guerrilla in the Philippines," when Tom Ewell is under a log a few feet from a Japanese patrol. His feet are bare, and they rest on an ant hill. It's a wrenching scene and there's nothing like it in this film from Ray Bolton. All it would have required is a moment's creative thought. Some goofs are obvious too. Widmark manages to escape from a building by killing an armed man with a trick. He leaps over the body and rushes off without bothering to pick up the rifle and arm himself.

That lack of originality doesn't spoil the movie. It's engaging at first. Then it becomes tense -- and the tension lasts until the end. Widmark is almost always likable, even as the heavy, and Greer exudes class. You know, though, if Howard and van Eyck were nowhere near civilization, where did they get all their booze from?

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6 /10

Colorful adaptation of the classic film with a magnificent Richard Widmark

Movie talks upon a beautiful woman reporter (Jane Greer) , she is looking for an adventurer novelist(Richard Widmark) in a solitary South American location . They fall in love and aboard a plane are crashed on jungle . There find shelter in an inhospitable mansion inhabited by strange people (Trevor Howard and Peter Van Eyck) .

The picture gets adventure action , a love story , thriller , exciting pursuits with numerous odds , risks and perils and results to be pretty entertaining . Richard Widmark as the stalwart and brave hero is nice . Enjoyable Jane Greer (Out the past) as a genuinely moving heroine is fine . Secondary cast is excellent with a terrific Trevor Howard and a crafty Peter Van Eyck . The tale was compellingly developed in this second of several versions using Richard Connell's famed novel . It's a remake to ¨The most dangerous game¨(Ernest B.Schoedsack with Joel McCrea and Leslie Banks as count Zaroff), the classic and black and white adaptation was creepier and darkest , this version is glimmer (spectacular cinematography by Joseph LaShelle) and an adventure film . Recent version titled ¨Surviving the game¨(Ernest Dickerson with Ice T and Rutger Hauer) is more violen t. Motion picture was well directed by British director Roy Boulting . The flick will appeal to Richard Widmark fans and adventure cinema-goers . Rating : Good , if you haven't seen it , you don't miss the chance the next time .

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7 /10

exciting jungle film

I had the privilege of seeing Richard Widmark in person a few years ago when he appeared at the Lincoln Center Film Society. Nearing 90 then, he had recently remarried after the death of his wife of many years. His appearance was remarkably unchanged: ruggedly handsome, that same, strong, rough speaking voice, and one of the best pairs of cheekbones in the business - right up there with Jack Palance, Loretta Young, and Elvis.

Widmark gets to show his stuff admirably in "Run for the Sun," which costars Jane Greer. He plays a writer a la Hemingway who has given up his career and is living in oblivion in Mexico. Greer plays a reporter who finds him with the intention of doing a story about him. She doesn't reveal her intentions, instead deciding to return to New York, and Widmark offers to fly her to Acapulco. They crash in the jungle and wind up at the compound of Trevor Howard.

This is supposedly a vague remake of "The Most Dangerous Game," which I haven't seen, so I can't make any comparisons. This film, though a little too long, is very exciting, particularly the last section, and will really hold the viewer's attention. Both Widmark and Greer are excellent. Greer is in her early thirties here and finally in a color movie, and she's beautiful despite a couple of frumpy hairdos and outfits. Trevor Howard underplays as the villain and is an introverted menace.

Very enjoyable.

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9 /10

A re-make of "The Most Dangerous Game"

Warning: Spoilers

While some of Jane Greer's film work could justly be described as lackluster, a few of her performances can only be labeled downright inept. Worst of all was her attempt to recreate Mary Astor's girlfriend-of-the-wicked-prince in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's 1952 "The Prisoner of Zenda". Aside from the abysmal Jane, that re- make is actually quite entertaining. Most of the players take an infectious delight in sending the silly story up, but Jane flounders embarrassingly. How come? She once explained: "Mr Thorpe, the director, wanted me to repeat Mary Astor's interpretation. Every day, he had me study her performance on a movieola. That's why I was so bad. Never once did he let me know that the rest of the cast were playing tongue-in-cheek."

Jane did redeem this lapse in a later, but now sadly neglected movie in which she played opposite Richard Widmark, "Run for the Sun" (1956). Jane turned in a taut, engrossing performance as an intelligent writer on assignment in Mexico. Her plane is forced down in the steamy jungle and she finds herself the prey of two sadistic madmen in this re- make of "The Most Dangerous Game".

In an unusual, but effective piece of casting, the Leslie Banks role was played by Trevor Howard, the first of only three occasions in which he played a totally unsympathetic character on the big screen. (The others: Captain Bligh in Mutiny on the Bounty and Lord Cardigan in The Charge of the Light Brigade).

Peter Van Eyck played Howard's accomplice in the hunt with his usual assurance, while director Roy Boulting handled the locations with plenty of skill. In a recent theatrical revival, the wide-screen print had audiences on the edges of their seats during the fast- paced climax.

Aside from "Run for the Sun", "Out of the Past" and five or six other films, Jane Greer rarely acquired the roles she deserved. Twice under contract to Howard Hughes, she bought him out both times in an effort to find better parts. She was not overly successful. Partly because she was unable to come to terms with her somewhat frozen features and so-called "Mona Lisa smile" (the result of Bell's Palsy). Not exactly a face to frame either a glamour cutie or girl-next-door, but fascinating, interesting, enigmatic — admirably suited to her enduring screen personality of the hard, impassive, unfathomable, self- serving but alluringly irresistible femme fatale.

A pity there were not a lot more roles of similar quality, but she did have a few. Although the world will always remember her Out of the Past, she did also have "The Big Steal" and "Run for the Sun".

Born Bettejane Greer in Washington, D.C. on 9 September 1924, she died in semi-retirement at her Los Angeles home on Friday, 24 August 2001.

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Should Have Been Better

No need to recap the Most Dangerous Game and Five Came Back plot. Now I have as much respect for stars Widmark, Greer, and Howard as the next old movie buff, but the set-up to the chase goes on too long and too mildly to create a suspenseful whole. I suspect the drawn-out preliminaries were to justify that marquee cast. Yet, the on-again, off-again romantic interludes, plus Howard's non-menacing menace, undercut that impact. Then too, director Boulting films in impersonal and impassive style that fails to create the expected intensity—just count the close-ups (I stopped at zero). Thus, the narrative remains at the mercy of a padded script.

Of course, the jungle locations lend eye-appeal and stimulating exotica. However, Boulting largely fails to exploit that menacing strangeness. The chase sequence, the movie's centerpiece, remains little more than an implausibly executed slog through the mud that again fails to generate needed suspense. To me, the pursuers appear in greater danger than the pursued; plus, how easily the dogs are thrown off track and then inexplicably regain it. I realize these gripes go against majority opinion. Still, I found the result disappointing given the promising ingredients. Say what you will about the old studios, sound stages, and b&w filming, but RKO really knew how to orchestrate the same elements back in 1932. Above all, this updated version needs a more focused rewrite and a more apt director.

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6 /10

Quite an enjoyable jungle hi-jinks.

Richard Widmark and Jane Greer are clearly having a bit of fun in this jungle feature as a novelist and a journalist whose plane crash lands in the Central American jungle. Serendipity takes a hand as they are discovered by Trevor Howard and his sidekick Peter van Eyck. Not long later, the wreckage of their plane disappears, some angry big dogs appear and our rescuers begin to suspect they are captives rather than "guests". Can they escape before they end up dog-food? Howard is a bit of a fish out of water here, but overall they all seem to be enjoying making this film amidst the beautifully shot Mexican wilderness. The script is a bit lacklustre, and it could be doing with a bit more action and less story establishment but the last ten minutes are quite exciting and is worth a watch.

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Widmark and Greer racing through the jungle...

I tuned into this one on TCM and heard Robert Osborne refer to it as a remake of THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME--BUT in my opinion, only in vague outline. Like GAME, it ends with a chase through the jungle with the bloodhounds on their trail and leads to their final escape. But there are several novel twists and turns along the way and the suspense is in high gear once the chase begins.

Jane Greer appeared in so many B&W film noirs of the '40s that it's surprising to see her in technicolor. She looks great and has good chemistry with Richard Widmark's adventurous writer. Both of them appear to be having a tough time physically as they trudge through swampy waters and slash their way through thick jungle. Trevor Howard is the villain of the piece, not quite as menacing as Charles Laughton in the original.

Gripping suspense yarn will keep you glued to your seat as you wonder how it all turns out. Give it a chance, as it starts slowly before the plot thickens.

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6 /10

In The Doghouse

Warning: Spoilers

Given that there are only seven basic plots it seems foolish to spend so much time both alleging and rebutting the connection (or non) between Run For The Sun and The Most Dangerous Game aka The Hounds Of Zaroff. Over the years there have been several films involving an isolated house, an eccentric/insane owner who lures - or waits for the genuinely lost - travellers to his bailiwick, entertains them royally for a short time then explains the way back to the civilised world, gives them a reasonably start and then goes in pursuit with a pack of hounds. This is, of course, a sound basis for a thriller and begs variations. In Run For The Sun Trevor Howard is a William Joyce (Lord 'Haw Haw') who, unlike the original, escaped the hangman's noose and holed up in a Mexican jungle. Richard Widmark and Jane Greer, flying in Widmark's plane to Acapulco, veer off course, run out of gas, and crash not too far from Howard's home. Once Widmark figures out who Howard is and realises there's no way Howard can afford to let them go, he goes on the lam with Greer with Howard and a pack of dogs on their trail. It's competent, Widmark is invariably good value and Greer is good to look at. What's not to like.

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A Film of Two Halves

What initially looks as if it is going to be a character study of a washed-up Hemngway-type novelist wallowing in self-pity and local liquor in some tiny south American village suddenly changes tack to become a sort of remake of The Most Dangerous Game and, in truth, the first half of the plot was probably more interesting for me. Once Trevor Howard and Peter van Eyck are introduced as a Nazi sympathiser and war criminal hiding out in the jungle into which Widmark and Jane Greer crash land, the film pretty much forgets any ideas of delving into how Latimer can overcome the writer's block that is driving him towards self destruction and concentrates instead on a straightforward cat-and-mouse chase formula. That's not to say the second half of the film isn't enjoyable – it is: it just isn't as interesting as the first 40 minutes.

The film benefits greatly from location shooting, and all four principal characters give reasonable performances. Widmark is as reliable as ever, while Howard portrays Browne – the antithesis of all those stiff-upper-lipped WWII types he so often played – in exactly the same manner in which he played all those stiff-upper lip WWII types, and it works quite well. There's no hint of innate character deficiencies in the characterisations of the Nazi's either, no sneering disdain for anything non-German, no mad dreams of a resurgence of the Nazi dream. Howard and van Eyck are just a pair of criminals on the run, as desperate to escape their jungle prison as they are to evade capture.

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7 /10

Great Film to View

Viewed most of the films that Richard Widmark starred in, however, I finally discovered this film being shown on TV in the wee hours of the morning and found this to be a great film Classic. Richard Widmark, (Mike Latimer) and Jane Greer gave an outstanding performance together, sometimes fighting like cats and dogs and struggling to get away from Trevor Howard, (Browne) who plays a very wicked character who will stop at nothing to get just what he desires in life. This entire cast of actors all gave an outstanding performance, but Widmark and Greer really put their heart and soul into this picture. Jane Greer experience a spinal injury during the making of this film, and years later she became very ill and needed surgery, which corrected her problem. It was during a scene in this picture where Jane goes through swampy water which contains many dangerous viruses.

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8 /10

viewers will recognize this story as it unfolds...

Fun to see some actual scenery of mexico from the 1950s, kind of like in "night of the iguana". not many films were being made on location in those days! Journalist Katie (Greer) goes to mexico and meets up with washed-up writer Latimer (Widmark), who may or may not be coming apart at the seams. For some reason, Katie decides to go on to Mexico City in his plane, and things go downhill from there. They are NOT where they are supposed to be (her fault!) and then things get worse. They find themselves having a horrible,scary adventure, if only they can escape it! Co-stars Trevor Howard and Peter van Eyck. Written by the prolific writer Richard Connell. Viewers will recognize this familiar tale, although they changed the title and some minor points for the making of the film. Connell died quite young, at 56. According to one web page, this was due to a heart attack. Connell was nominated for two oscars, but not for this story. It's good. Shows on Turner Classics now and then.

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8 /10

Lord Haw Haw as Count Zaharoff

This is a first rate remake (redesigned) of Richard Connell's classic suspense short story, THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME. If you are lucky, read the story. If you can't find it, see the 1932 movie with Joel McCrae, Leslie Banks (as the mad Count Zaharoff - General Zaharoff in the original short story), Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong. It captures the best aspects of the short story, but not all the clever details. Also, the sets were reused by the same production group (along with Fay Wray, Armstrong, and Bruce Cabot) for KING KONG shortly afterwords.

Basically the story goes like this. The hero is sole survivor of a shipwreck, and finds himself on an island owned by the villain. The villain, a master hunter, is insane, and has found there is only one game worth hunting - "the most dangerous game" or man, the only animal that one knows can think. He gives his "guests" (he has caused the shipwrecks) a good dinner or two, and then they proceed to run for their lives or until he kills them. But Rainsford (the hero in the original short story) is a trained hunter too. So for a change, Zaharoff really has a worthy opponent. The ending of the tale I will leave to the lucky reader.

But this 1956 film is an interesting version of the original. The scene shifts to an isolated jungle area of Mexico. Richard Widmark and Jane Greer are in a plane crash, and are rescued by Trevor Howard and Peter Van Eyck, both of whom are far from welcoming. Widmark is not sure, but he keeps thinking he knows Howard, although he's never seen him. Then he realizes it's Howard's voice - he heard it in World War II, as a Nazi propaganda figure (a British traitor). In short, Howard is a version of William Joyce, "Lord Haw Haw" (see SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE VOICE OF TERROR). Van Eyck is Howard's brother-in-law.

Howard and Van Eyck have been less than willing to help Widmark and Greer get back to civilization before, because they did not want to have them report them to the authorities - they are wanted for war crimes (at least Van Eyck is). Widmark, when he makes the mistake of discovering who his hosts are, suggests that if they help him and Greer get back, he can take a message to Howard's loved ones about their safety. Unfortunately, Howard explains, his wife and children were killed in the war by bombing. As it is apparent that Van Eyck wants to see the strangers dead, Widmark and Greer take off to try to get to safety. And then the story follows the lines of THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME.

But ironically there is one more switch. Howard has been connected to Van Eyck only by the marriage - personally he has no liking for the man. As it turns out, he would not mind if he could get out of the jungle - away from this remnant of a bloody, horrific past. And so the film actually goes onto a somewhat different conclusion. But I leave it to the viewer to see what it is.

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6 /10

Run for your life

Warning: Spoilers

***SPOILERS*** Trying to track down famous American novelist Mike Latimer,Richard Widmark, who dropped out of sight fives years ago Sight Magazine investigative reporter Katie Connors, Jane Greer, finds Latimer at this Mexican fishing village San Marcos out, what else, fishing. It doesn't take long for Latimer to figure out that Katie isn't just there for the scenery or fish since she tells him she doesn't know squat about fishing and is not at all interested in the sport! Agreeing to fly Katie back to Mexico City, when her fishing party failed to arrive in town, where she can catch a plane back to the states Latimer's plane crash lands in the Mexican jungle where he and Katie are rescued by British explorer Browne, Trevor Howard, and his friend Dutch archaeologist Dr. Van Anders, Peter Van Eyck.

It's not that long that we find out that both Browne & Van Anders are fugitive Nazi war criminals, Browne being a traitor to his country as well, on the run from justice. The film really takes off together with Latimer and Katie when the two find out who Bowne & Van Anders really are and try to flee on foot through the swamps and woods to get to Latimer's plane that the two Nazis had hidden deep in the Mexican jungle! Exciting man and woman on the run film with a really well though out ending in Latimer finishing off Browne, without the use of a rifle, with the very bullet that was meant for him when he was a war corespondent with the US paratroopers on D-Day! As for Nazi fugitive Van Anders he got his the hard way by being chopped up by Latimer's plane's motor blades when he, in typical Nazi superman macho fashion, single handedly tried to prevent Latier and Katie from escaping.

P.S Actress Jane Green didn't know it at the time but she contracted a rare and near fatal tropical disease when she was filmed together with co-star Richard Widmark wading through the dirty and incest infected swamp water in the movie. It was years later after she discovered that she had it that Greer was treated for her illness which ended up saving her life.

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7 /10

Not really "The Most Dangerous Game" but a solid, beautiful survival romance set in Mexico

Warning: Spoilers

Run for the Sun (1956)

This begins in Mexico, with a charming and warmly photographed encounter between a reclusive Hemingway-like novelist on the outs and a too-beautiful reporting trying to track him down. They have a series of interactions that establish both the man's independence and self-criticism (positive qualities) and the woman's weakening resolve, since she kind of likes the guy and doesn't want to blow his seclusion. He doesn't know what she's up to at first, and she just wants to give up and go home before he discovers her duplicity.

But this is just a set-up so that the rest of the movie, the most dangerous game part, where the two are pursued through the jungle for a hour of exhaustion. Richard Widmark makes a convincing writer/adventurist out for himself, drowning in alcohol, and then surviving in the jungle. And surprisingly, Jane Greer, often something of an ornament in movies because she looks so good, is perfectly tough and (later) weary while still playing the female reporter a little out of her league. The two are also given time in the first scenes to develop a genuine understanding for each other, the basis for a growing affection. When thing get dire later and they cling to each other (this is no spoiler, surely), you expect and need it.

Ostensibly (and officially, in the opening credits) this second half of the movie is based on the Richard Connell short story, "The Most Dangerous Game," though it's too far removed from the original to count. The core of the story is about a famous hunter becoming the prey to a slightly crazed man who loves to hunt the most dangerous of animals: humans. But this is not a twist of roles, or a matter of wanting to test a man's hunting skills against human prey. This is just about two innocents who learn something they shouldn't and have to run for their lives.

Though the Connell story has a creepy originality to it, I rather like this movie more than either of the earlier adaptations (the 1932 "The Most Dangerous Game" and the 1945 "A Game of Death). Both of those are closer to the original, though both take the liberty of adding a woman to the story and the improbably and convenient outline of an unnecessary romance. "Run for the Sun" has morphed into something new, and better, the romance becoming central.

Director Ray Boulting, who got his start making documentaries, gives the film a kind of British flavor (Connell was American), making the bad guy a twisted diplomat for Britain who went bad during WWII. The whole scenario in the Mexican jungle feels like that classic situation of a Brit somewhere far from London going native but bringing a little bit of England with him, with tea and good books and indigenous servants.

In the end, the events are fairly straight forward, which is its largest flaw. The realistic filming of the chase (most of it is believable, both rugged and unsensational) compensates for the fact that you sort of know the outcome. A clever trick with a bullet near the end is a fun, almost James Bond, innovation. The glue, and the sugar, here is the acting, Widmark above all convincing both in his delivery and for his physical energy. Greer is just fine, though she's given little to do but respond, and get very very tired. It's her clever magnetic notepad holder that gets them in trouble, if you pay attention. The evil Mr. Browne? Played by a very British Trevor Howard to perfection.

The filming is first rate, and it's no wonder with Joseph LaShelle behind the camera. He did some classic noirs, but then moved to a decade of terrific wide screen color films, including several with Billy Wilder. Here, the camera-work is really nice, and the color itself is truly striking and clean. Naturally, it's still top notch Technicolor and not one of the Kodak competitors which were still thin by comparison. And it's shot about 50 miles from Mexico City. The hacienda is beyond gorgeous.

If you just approach this movie for what it is, a kind of less outrageous "African Queen" without the star power, it's a lot of well made fun. If you come into it expecting another "The Most Dangerous Game," you'll have to make some adjustments quickly.

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10 /10

Not a rip-off

Many film-critics said that this was the first re-make of the most dangerous game. While I can see some similarities I can safely assume that this film was the product of the writers own imagination.

TMDG was about a Count on a Pacific Island who hunted men who became shipwrecked on his beach. In this movie Richard Widmark and his honey (Jane Greer) crash land on Trevor Howard's island when his plane's navigation screws up. At first Howard seems hospitable but Widmark soon learns (and remembers) that Howard is a Nazi avoiding war-crime charges in the US. And he is even taking advantage of the natives.

Soon Widmark and Greer are on the run thru the jungle with Howard and his goons on their heels. This does bare some resemblance to TMDG but only by coincidence. There are some cool moments in this film, such as Widmark firing a bullet with a hammer and the scene where his is creeping all over Howard's plantation is quite tense.

Greer was also surprisingly attractive. I'm not really into 50's fashion but she had a nice body and ass. She was also quite tough. She didn't moan and whine either, which made her character cooler and unlike most other female characters of the time.

If you can catch this movie I reckon that you should watch it because it is quite enjoyable. And it is only slightly similar to The Most Dangerous Game.

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4 /10

Run for the Sun: Underwhelming remake

One of countless remakes of The Most Dangerous Game (1932), Run for the Sun throws a curve ball or two to stand apart from the rest. But does it do it any favors?

The original tale is that of a hunter who becomes marooned on an island. He's taken in by a mysterious man but quickly finds himself the prey. Here instead we see a man and a woman involved in a plane crash, they're saved but their saviors may not be who they claim to be.

I quite liked the twist, I loved the big revelation monologue, but sadly the movie has pacing issues, a rather mundane cast and really really drags.

Normally I have issue with them tweaking the source material, here I don't. I just don't think it was very successful.

For fans of the original I'd say, stick with the original.

The Good:

One great scene

Interesting spin on the original story

The Bad:

Drags

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7 /10

Little known remake of "Most Dangerous Game" worth seeing

Thrilling suspense in this jungle adventure with fantastic stars Widmark and Greer. some good dialogue, but the story doesn't really convince; it's just a vehicle for the situational suspense and romance. Widmark is a Hemingway-style author and Greer a journalist who finds him in hiding and tricks him into revealing his confidence (which, disappointingly, involves nothing more than a cliched love drama).

Nice direction, very effective photography in sharp color. Greer was never lovelier and, except in the incomparable Robert Mitchum, never found a better leading man. It's a shame that Hollywood allowed Mr. Howard Hughes to throw her into a ditch (figuratively, of course), because this lady had real talent.

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A "Classic" In Its Own Right

I never was a fan of Richard Widmark, but it's interesting how you can tell a good movie when you see one. I saw about 10 seconds of this movie and there was something about it that was different. I could tell that it's worth seeing, so I did. The movie didn't disappoint. There's realness to the character that I don't get from watching movies made more recently, and the whole movie was - good. Now I can see why there are Richard Widmark fans out there. He's fantastic in this movie.

The plot is pretty shallow if you compare to newer movies. Nazis hiding in Latin American jungle, and a plane crashes bringing Widmark and Greer to their "estansia". But somehow, the movie has reality that's not seen in newer movies. I'm just not sophisticated enough to express what makes this movie that way.

The last 10 minutes of this movie is just superb. I doubt if you can make this movie better even if it was remade. I have renewed respect for Richard Widmark's talent as an actor.

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7 /10

Respectable version of The Most Dangerous Game

Warning: Spoilers

People seem to generally dislike Run for the Sun (1956), but I rather like it. Sure it has its flaws, such as poor pacing, but the elements it gets right, it does well.

The love story between Mike and Katie is touching and maturely handled. I thought both characters were interesting, especially Mike, who is a Hemingway-like author who feels like he has lost his inspiration. Katie is intelligent and collected, though her icy demeanor melts once she falls for Mike-- unfortunately, she becomes rather damsel-like once the climax hits.

The odd part about RFTS is that it works best before we get to the "people hunting people" scenario. Honestly, the bit with the Nazi war criminals feels tacked on and isn't nearly as interesting as the romance or the original Connell story (and for that matter, the superb 1932 film of the same name). There's little sense of danger or suspense either, making the last twenty minutes feel like an anti-climax.

Not as effective as it could have been, but certainly better than its reputation among film-goers would imply. A worthy remake.

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Passable remake of THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME.

Run For the Sun is the umpteenth remake of The Most Dangerous Game. Anyone who remembers the original will recall that it is about lost travellers being terrorised like sporting game, hunted down and killed by a madman. Here, the same central idea is dusted down yet again, but there are a few intersting new slants on the old formula.

Richard Widmark and Jane Greer play a couple of plane crash survivors who find themselves on a Mexican jungle plantation. They seem initially lucky, having not only survived the crash but being rescued by Peter Van Eyck and Trevor Howard. However, they gradually uncover the truth, learning that Howard and Van Eyck are Nazi fugitives hiding in the middle of Mexico so they don't have to stand trial for war crimes. The two Nazis cannot let them go once they have uncovered their secret, so they decide to hunt them down and silence them in the most reliable and permanent way possible... death!

This is a decent suspense thriller which holds up reasonably well considering that it is almost 50 years old. It does start off somewhat slowly, but once it gets going it has some good, solid suspense and believable performances. Compared to the original, it isn't really in the same league, but that's no surprise since The Most Dangerous Game is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats. Nevertheless, Run For the Sun is a passable update and definitely a film worth catching.

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8 /10

CATCH THAT WRITER...!

Richard Widmark & Jane Greer star in this 1956 adventure modeled after The World's Most Dangerous Game to stellar effect. Greer is a magazine writer out to get the scoop on an elusive novelist, Widmark (ala Ernest Hemingway), who lives south of the border. Pretending to be a tourist, she mounts a friendship w/him & is even encourages by him to come along to a trip to Mexico City w/him flying his own plane but due to a mishap (a magnet in Greer's trinket is placed near the plane's compass causing Widmark to fly the plane off course), their plane then crashes w/them being rescued by Trevor Howard, a recluse living in a remote villa flanked by a couple of yes men & a phalanx of attack dogs. Recuperating Widmark mentions he recognizes Howard (it turns out he is an English ex-pat who championed the German cause during WWII) & when he confronts him w/this revelation, the game is on since his men turn out to be ex German soldiers hiding out as well. Widmark & Greer facilitate an escape into the jungle being pursued Howard & company & thankfully Widmark's savvy w/the tropical climes help him to set traps & eventually double back to Howard's estate to make their getaway w/Howard's plane. Taking the premise of the Most Dangerous Game & fabricating a compelling story around that premise (the old chestnut of Nazi's hiding out in the West) w/Widmark & Greer (who would reunite 30 years later as husband & wife in Against All Odds in 1984) making a great team w/their Nazi hunters appropriately sweaty & duplicitous.

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Bravely Kids in the Nazitheme Drawing

Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049696/reviews

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