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Marathon Man

Marathon Man

1976
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
2h 5m
A young man is tormented by a secret organization, run by a sadistic Nazi doctor trying to smuggle priceless diamonds into his possession (imdb)
Your probable score
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Marathon Man

1976
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
2h 5m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 62.65% from 1696 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1696)
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Rated 27 Apr 2008
75
66th
Effective Thriller with some extremely intense scenes strung together by a rather vague plot. Hoffman and Olivier are great individually and exceptional together. At the end you may question exactly what the point of the story was, but certain scenes will be seared into your memory regardless of their context.
Rated 07 Jul 2009
65
22nd
Similar to Chinatown, various paranoid levels shift and collide beneath the film: like tectonic plates forcing an inevitable eruption of convulsive sentience; of twitching sounds and interpersonal 'untruths'. Yet for all Schlesinger's ambition, the film just feels very, very tacky. Its moments of intensity are marred by a confused story, and many scenes feel like a caricature of themselves, as though they don't live up to the grandeur befitting the ideas within. Interesting, but unsuccessful.
Rated 17 May 2008
85
94th
- "Is it great?... Is it great?" - "Is what great?" - "Is it great?" - "I don't know what you mean. I can't tell you something's great or not, unless I know specifically what you're talking about." - "Is it great?" - "Tell me what the "it" refers to." - "Is it great?" - "Yes, it's great, it's very great, it's so great you wouldn't believe it." 'Marathon Man' is - indeed - great, though perhaps not entirely safe if you have an upcoming appointment with your dentist.
Rated 23 Apr 2011
66
44th
The kind of peculiar thriller that comes into being when a liberal believes in Glenn Beck. Part of its nature, then, is that moments of excellence contrast harshly with some hokeyness - whether it's a bomb in a stroller, a chase witnessed by every Jew on the Upper East side, or an Olivier that looks hilariously like Milton. Except his obsession is teeth, not staplers. Still worth a look.
Rated 15 Apr 2012
73
74th
Nazi dentist. You heard me. Nazi dentist.
Rated 22 Nov 2012
80
77th
Dustin Hoffman's hair wasn't fully committed to this picture.
Rated 16 May 2020
8
78th
Almost gave up after the inciting incident, which felt forcibly shoved into the story to get the ball rolling. It picks itself up afterwards, leaving me constantly intrigued as to what would happen next. Expertly performed as well, and shot by the legend that is Conrad Hall. The 'is it safe?' part is a classic scene if there ever was one.
Rated 28 Nov 2008
73
45th
A decent thriller that builds well. I was most struck by its view of the world as an incredibly hostile, antagonistic, and paranoid place. It felt like a Peckinpah film in that respect (Dustin Hoffman revisiting his Straw Dogs territory). The infamous torture scene is mighty unpleasant. As if everyone doesn't already hate the dentist. However, the plot is pretty farfetched and a lot of it is hard to swallow... no pun intended, if you've seen the ending.
Rated 30 Nov 2010
60
52nd
It has a great deal of suspense, but it's also confusing and too reliant on coincidence and leaps of logic. There are also a number of things that aren't fully explained (Marthe Keller's character is particularly baffling) and you'll probably be left scratching your head at the end. These niggles are fairly easy to gloss over, though, because the cast is first class and there are a number of well-known iconic scenes to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Rated 16 Feb 2013
7
68th
So 70's it hurts. Slow build to a very satisfying conclusion. I would've given this a higher score but there's too many random coincidences to appreciate it fully. It also adequately shows how badass a wrist knife is and the dangers associated with that. Hoffman is pretty good at breathing heavily
Rated 28 Oct 2019
50
43rd
Passable thriller, nothing more.
Rated 29 Oct 2019
74
68th
Slow, messy plot suddenly gets second wind and wins in impressive sprint.
Rated 11 Jan 2020
95
97th
Cut Gems
Rated 14 Aug 2007
73
47th
hey, it wasn't bad at all. but i don't think it was great.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
80
84th
Brilliant thriller. The tight plot and script is played out expertly brilliantly by a high class cast. And of course there is that torture scene.
Rated 05 Jan 2010
75
41st
Except 4 the famed "Is it safe?" "exam" & an even more riveting sequence involving a defenseless Hoffman inside a bathroom, the action sometimes plays a bit clunky, as if the title came first & a story was built around having a scene where a marathoner must run 4 his life. There r many clever ideas 4 the time (& can now seem cliché), but 2 many of the misdirections, reveals, dramatic ironies & double-crosses rely on 1 too many contrivances, forced location changes, & coincidences 2 flow smoothly
Rated 22 Apr 2010
80
79th
Confusing plot, and the first half is a bit slow. But when the action scenes begin it's awesome. Shitt, the dentist scene is so disturbing too!
Rated 06 Sep 2010
72
35th
You can't achieve suspense without first establishing sympathetic characters; well I couldn't of cared less if Hoffman died in the first frame or the last. The film became more and more irritating as the logic holes and characters became increasingly more annoying. Not even glad I saw it to see it.
Rated 06 Apr 2011
75
59th
Marathon Man is not gracious with its pace, but there's a lot to appreciate from its slow burn. Conrad Hall is deservedly revered as a cinematographer, and his grungy depiction of NYC contrasted with the affluence of aristocratic Paris is nice on the eyes. That was good enough to keep me watching the whole thing, not to mention some decent chase scenes, but overall the story was fairly silly and awkward. It was well produced enough that I enjoyed it, but I just wish it was a little smarter.
Rated 15 Jan 2012
65
54th
I don't if it was just me, but I had no idea what the hell was going on for the first, like, hour of this film. I mean, I understood what was happening basically in each scene, but as to what it meant and its relevance to the characters and why I should care... I was clueless. It did thankfully get better in the second half and had some pretty cool, suspenseful scenes. So, overall, I'm not entirely sure what I thought about it, but I can't say it's one of my favourite films I've ever seen.
Rated 19 Jan 2012
30
32nd
As white bread a thriller you can get without having the screenplay based on a second-rate Michael Crichton novel and the lead role played by Denzel Washington. As in Stray Dogs, a naive Dustin Hoffman gets burned by a rayon sweater-sporting foreign girl, while being tormented by evil foreign guys...only to turn on the crazy switch at the end and get sweet Rain Man Revenge. And the orthodontic torture scene? Oh no! Don't probe my cavity! Not that! Mmmmmmmmm... Clove oil...
Rated 02 Feb 2012
81
74th
Borders on great but still manages to be an excellent thriller. Jumping between fun and intense it's enjoyable and moves pretty quickly once it gets up to speed. There's some cheesiness here and there, but it's definitely worth a look.
Rated 09 Feb 2012
40
31st
Kinda dumb and pointless. The villain just wants... diamonds? Seriously? Is he also going to kidnap Lois Lane and dress up in a mask to scare Scooby and friends?
Rated 21 Oct 2019
3
38th
Bit of a high-concept plot for what is at heart a rather grounded, gritty thriller, but between Scheider, Olivier, Hoffman, and its autumnal portrait of mid-70s NYC there's plenty of fun to be had.
Rated 04 Jan 2020
70
70th
It was probably more enjoyable when it was released, but it actually aged pretty well. It’s got some great acting, and isn’t too predictable, with the exception of the ending anyways. Marathon Man is a surprisingly thrilling film that’s worth seeing.
Rated 23 Feb 2023
76
68th
The action elements aren't executed very well with everything feeling slow and clunky but the thriller plotting is superb, which is no surprise with William Goldman writing the script and the source material it's based on. Olivier makes a fantastic villain and there are some wonderfully tense sequences.
Rated 01 Feb 2007
81
56th
A very craftily done thriller. And the dentistry sequence is unforgettable.
Rated 22 Feb 2007
75
89th
Great film with some unforgettable scenes, a must see.
Rated 09 May 2007
100
95th
Marvelous thriller. This is a perfect example of how sometimes the writer really makes the film rather than the director, since this is so much better than John Schlesinger's other stuff. Unforgettable
Rated 03 Jul 2007
80
43rd
Admittedly disturbing stuff.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
77th
One of the most terrifying, reality based movies I Have seen... And you can't go wrong with Sir Laurence, and Dustin Hoffman...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
75th
It's why I've learned to live with the cavities.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
73
53rd
Good, but Goldman is too obviously indulging a revenge fantasy against Nazis.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
82nd
PROBABLY WHY I NEVER LIKED THE DENTIST
Rated 14 Aug 2007
7
84th
Is it safe?
Rated 18 Oct 2007
80
16th
Plot & film quality almost doesn't matter when you cast Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier, Roy Schneider & William Devane together in a film. An excellent example of casting film legends of the past (Olivier) with film legends of the (then) future (Hoffman).
Rated 04 Dec 2007
95
90th
Just creepy. Sir Lawrence, I miss you. You were the best bad guy ever.
Rated 18 Mar 2008
77
66th
Unlike any thriller I've ever seen, that's for sure. Excellent acting from everyone, especially Laurence Olivier and Dustin Hoffman. I doubt I'll ever forget the horrible dentist torture this movie contains, even though it wasn't terribly graphic the simple implication of what happened was more than enough to cause me to cringe.
Rated 19 Mar 2008
75
91st
IS IT SAFE?!
Rated 27 Oct 2008
80
71st
This movie really got my ass in gear about proper dental hygiene.
Rated 10 Dec 2008
85
75th
Brilliant and the characterisations are superb. This film will let you judge just how good your dentist is ! Suspensful, thrilling, squirm making and terrifiyingly simple and possible.
Rated 22 May 2009
80
81st
One of my favourite thrillers.
Rated 26 May 2009
75
63rd
Superb.
Rated 20 Jun 2009
7
70th
Laurence Oliver's the main reason to see this movie.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
85
83rd
Is it safe?
Rated 18 Oct 2009
75
86th
very Good Movie
Rated 13 Dec 2009
60
61st
See? Dentists are evil.
Rated 25 Jul 2010
7
65th
Good thriller that you'll remember for the villain and one hell of a torture scene.
Rated 20 Sep 2010
73
88th
Another film my father let me see a little too early. I still hate the dentist. Still a nice thriller with a good performance from Hoffman.
Rated 19 Oct 2010
76
40th
is it safe?
Rated 27 Dec 2010
85
80th
It's a shame they don't/can't film torture scenes like this anymore. Now, that...just...has to hurt. ::shudder::
Rated 07 Jan 2011
81
65th
Intriguing thriller in which 40ish Hoffman convinces as a college student immersed in a plot involving Nazi diamond smugglers. Perhaps a little too sluggish at times, not helped by a sometimes convoluted and confusing screenplay, film nevertheless works as a showcase for an excellent cast, with Olivier's chilling Nazi villian the best of his often hammy later day performances. Also contains the legendary dental torture scene "Is it safe?".
Rated 07 Feb 2011
84
82nd
Uneven towards the beginning the whole thing eventually comes together but it still takes and hour and a half to get there.
Rated 10 Jun 2011
100
84th
Can't fault this awesome piece of 70's cinema. Great performances from Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier, Williams Devane and Roy Scheider. I will however refrain from asking "Is it safe?" oh crap, I just did
Rated 03 Jul 2011
75
84th
A true thriller, a real rush. The first act is confusing and elusive, and deliberately takes a while to make heads or tails of. Even when things start coming together, it's unpredictable and convoluted, and then - increasingly unnerving. Schlesinger directs with finesse and the acting is just captivating. The film does go over-the-top quite often, and some of the final scenes I thought were just too contrived and far-fetched, but by then you're almost too strung-up to care.
Rated 03 Aug 2011
58
43rd
Couldn't get behind this movie as much as I was hoping to.
Rated 08 Aug 2011
75
79th
Thrilling
Rated 29 Aug 2011
4
51st
Good performance by Hoffman (as usual), but the story is pretty lame and some of the writing is really lazy and contrived. All in all, it's well-crafted but it won't stick with you.
Rated 03 Jan 2012
79
45th
Well, it didn't totally hold up to the test of time by me, but there were some very iconic scenes. I can see why you hear its name thrown around every now and then.
Rated 18 Jan 2012
80
82nd
Dustin Hoffman single handedly takes down a covert mission between the CIA and Nazis. And it's awesome.
Rated 21 Feb 2012
89
46th
good job!
Rated 05 Mar 2012
85
71st
Requires some suspension of disbelief, but Marathon Man is tense as hell, beautifully shot and edited, and features some great supporting performances by Devane, Oliver, and Scheider.
Rated 05 May 2012
84
85th
2 hours of Dustin Hoffman running.
Rated 08 May 2012
85
76th
A slow start to an otherwise brilliant film. Just another example of why Dustin Hoffman is one of my favorite actors. Also Laurence Oliver is extremely well cast. The torture scene is one of the all time best. If you have any doubts about the first half of this film please don't give up on it. You'll be glad you didn't.
Rated 28 Jun 2012
62
72nd
Has the same soundtrack as 'The Parallax View'.
Rated 17 Feb 2013
84
55th
Once you're through the confusing first act, the film throws you into a squeamish, twisty torture sequence that's one of the best of its kind; it's no surprise why it's endured in thriller moviedom. It's unnerving, it's intimate, it has absolutely no gore whatsoever. Then Marathon Man sort of gracefully tumbles into a frantic but smoothly-paced third act where you get the best from Hoffman and Olivier. I really dug the ending.
Rated 01 Mar 2013
66
79th
About halfway through this, I was in love. The thrills were intense, the chase scenes were frantic, and the plot beats were brilliant. Plus, I thought the robbery scene was as hilarious as the torture scene was horrifying. Unfortunately, the introduction and the conclusion bookending that amazing thriller were less than outstanding. The sewer scene isn't exactly Third Man, and the gaps in logic are frustrating. It's hard to take away too many points, though, given the level of acting throughout.
Rated 20 Apr 2013
84
67th
MARATHON MAN feels like a group of very talented people--starting with William Goldman, the writer--came together to create a crowd-pleasing thriller, but in trying to craft a film without a theme, made one where the absence of a theme (at least a discernable one) is felt. It's still quite gripping; John Schlesinger's direction anticipates many a thriller to come, and a sense of unease is established and maintained--not least of all in the famous dental-torture scene. Good work from a fine cast.
Rated 10 Aug 2013
80
78th
Actors and certain unforgettable scenes make up for a movie that is overall a bit sloppy in terms of storytelling. If Dustin Hoffman locks his front door the whole third act is different.
Rated 07 Oct 2013
69
80th
made out with this one chick and got to second base durin this lol
Rated 07 Dec 2013
73
37th
This is an interesting thriller with a good lead performance by Dustin Hoffman. There are a few exciting scenes and a very well done, intense torture scene. There are also some slow parts in the film. Overall I would recommend this thriller.
Rated 10 Apr 2014
99
83rd
Marathon Man is a superb thriller that does an excellent job of building tension. Roy Scheider and Dustin Hoffman are great and Laurence Olivier is diabolical as the sadistic Dr. Szell. This is one of the gems of 70's films that is really worth checking out.
Rated 07 May 2014
95
75th
Is it safe?
Rated 28 May 2015
71
90th
more than one person has already beaten me to the obvious three word review but sod it..........Is it safe?
Rated 21 Aug 2015
7
57th
Marathon Man is a vague and simmering thriller that is elevated by the stellar performances of Dustin Hoffman & Laurence Olivier. The first hour suffers from pacing issues and the plot is certainly convoluted & elusive. However midway the film takes a dramatic turn and there are many memorable and entertaining moments throughout. Dustin Hoffman carries the film well and gives one his most memorable performances. Whilst the superbly cast Laurence Olivier is a chilling and unforgettable villain.
Rated 17 Sep 2015
54
29th
It takes a full hour to get out the gate and for things to actually start happening. I found no interest in the welfare of hoffmans character in all that time so when he's finally under threat i didn't mind one bit. The story is straightforward without twists making for an unthrilling thriller.
Rated 06 Jul 2017
72
67th
solely as a thriller, it's a great movie; but when you add to the thriller part of the story (specially the nazi related part - which is kinda unnecessary, without it the plot would be interesting, there's no reason why the villain had to be a nazi) the movie loses a little of its strenght. The screenplay takes too long to actually show the main story. Still, is very entertaining.
Rated 18 Sep 2017
6
44th
A great cast, a reasonable story and some memorable scenes.
Rated 13 Nov 2017
90
71st
A-
Rated 22 Apr 2018
70
64th
Great direction, but I can't say that I'm impressed by the script in any way.
Rated 05 Jun 2018
80
68th
Entertainingly silly. I'm starting to think I don't like Dustin Hoffman, but he's in some pretty good movies.
Rated 29 Jun 2018
75
69th
schlesinger'in muhteşem yönetimi, özellikle kamera kullanımı oyuncu performanslarıyla beraber filmi çok yukarıya çekiyor.
Rated 14 Jul 2019
79
58th
First uses close to an hour carefully building up for the merging of it's three story lines; then ends up being a bit unclear and flawed in it's logic. Still a well acted and suspenseful thriller.
Rated 02 Sep 2019
66
58th
Too unpleasant and serious-minded for a good time. Too whimsically plotted to take seriously. But otherwise, a pretty good flick.
Rated 29 May 2020
83
73rd
As it says on the poster -- "A thriller" -- and what a nightmarish paranoia thriller it is. The set-up is somewhat general, though with some great subtext of a certain recent historical atrocity and its aftermath in the US, but this thriller improves and becomes more thrilling as it goes, never holding back on how terrifying Babe's situation gets. "Is it safe?"
Rated 11 Jul 2020
41
21st
Was this a top of the line thriller in its day? It is such an odd movie with an odd tone containing odd characters with odd motivations. The nazi through line was bizarrely executed, and some moments made me laugh unintentionally. But some of that oddity hit the right spot and kept me watching to see where this gritty 70s storyline was going.
Rated 17 Jul 2020
63
21st
Although I'll admit that it's unpredictable in a good way, the suspense never really worked for me.
Rated 30 Jan 2021
71
64th
Only one thing to be said about Marathon Man really- Is it safe? (Is it safe? Is it safe? Is it safe? Is it safe? Is it safe? Is it safe? Is it safe? Is it safe? Is it safe? Is it safe? And by the way, is it safe?)
Rated 10 Oct 2022
80
68th
John Schlesinger really only agreed to make this film because he feared "Day of the Locust" would finish him in Hollywood, but he does a superb job with this. It's nearly a horror film with the way it uses desolate, night time NYC as a nightmare landscape. The cast is great. I'm not a fan of Olivier's late career work, but he's extremely effective here. Always Roy Scheider.
Rated 04 Jan 2024
77
77th
So glad I saw this after my yearly dental checkup, BRB going to floss now.
Rated 13 Mar 2024
20
12th
This is the exact opposite of a taut, action-packed thriller. A lot happens: secret dealings, stabbings, shootings, but yet every scene drags so ponderously, entire scenes could have easily been cut altogether. And the plot is the most preposterous I can remember. I was waiting to find out Dustin's character was insane the whole time and dreamt everything up a la "A Beautiful Mind"; but no. Seriously? How did William Goldman of "The Princess Bride" fame manage to write this crap?

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