You ever see a movie that just feels dangerous? Not like "fast cars and explosions" dangerous, but more like the actors might actually lose their minds on screen. That is exactly what happens with eric roberts runaway train. It is a 1985 flick that, honestly, most people today have forgotten, which is a crying shame because it contains some of the rawest, most unhinged acting you will ever see.
Basically, the plot is simple. Two convicts escape a brutal Alaskan prison. They hop on a train. The engineer has a heart attack and falls off. Now, they are trapped on a four-locomotive death machine hurtling through a frozen wasteland with no brakes.
The Genius of the "Lunkhead"
Eric Roberts plays Buck McGeehy. He is a young, kinda dim-witted prisoner who follows the legendary bank robber Manny (Jon Voight) into the cold. While Voight is all stoic, Shakespearean rage, Roberts is like a live wire. He’s twitchy. He’s loud. He’s constantly moving, acting like a toddler who’s skipped his nap and decided to participate in a prison break instead.
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Some critics back then found him annoying. They were wrong.
What Roberts does here is actually brilliant. He’s the "mirror" for Voight’s darkness. While Manny has accepted he is an "animal" who will never fit into society, Buck is still human. He’s scared. He’s hopeful. He wants to go to a hotel and eat a steak. The way Roberts plays the desperation—specifically during that terrifying scene where he has to climb around the outside of the frozen engine—is pure physical acting. You can feel the cold coming off the screen.
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The Kurosawa Connection
Did you know this movie was originally supposed to be directed by Akira Kurosawa? Yeah, the guy who did Seven Samurai. He wrote the script back in the 60s, but it sat in development hell for decades until a Russian director named Andrei Konchalovsky took it over.
You can still see Kurosawa’s fingerprints everywhere. The movie isn't just an action flick; it's an existential nightmare. The train represents civilization, or maybe fate, screaming out of control toward an inevitable crash.
Real Stakes, Real Metal
They didn't have CGI in 1985. Not for stuff like this. When you see those massive engines smashing through a caboose, that is real steel hitting real wood. The production filmed in Montana and Alaska in conditions that looked absolutely miserable.
- The Engines: They used real EMD GP40-2 and F-unit locomotives.
- The Prison: Shot at the Old Montana Prison, which is now a museum.
- The Stunts: Actors were actually hanging off moving trains in sub-zero temperatures.
Honestly, the "safety standards" of the 80s were basically just "try not to die." This adds a layer of tension you just can't fake with a green screen. When Eric Roberts looks terrified as he's clinging to the side of that train, he probably wasn't acting all that much.
Why It Still Matters
Eric Roberts eventually got an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for this role. It was the peak of his early career. He brings this weird, frantic energy that balances out the philosophical weight of the script.
The movie ends with a quote from Shakespeare’s Richard III: "No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity. But I know none, and therefore am no beast." It’s heavy stuff for a movie produced by Cannon Films (the guys who usually did Chuck Norris movies).
If you want to understand why Eric Roberts is considered a legend despite his later "straight-to-video" era, you have to watch this. It’s a masterclass in playing a character who is out of his depth but trying to survive anyway.
Actionable Next Steps for the Movie Buff
If you're ready to dive into this 80s masterpiece, here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Find the High-Def Version: Look for the Blu-ray release by Kino Lorber. The cinematography by Alan Hume is stunning, and the high-def transfer makes the "frozen" atmosphere feel much more oppressive.
- Watch for the "Laundry Cart" Scene: Pay attention to how the escape starts. It’s a gritty, disgusting sequence that sets the tone for the entire film.
- Compare the Leads: Watch how Roberts’ high-energy "Buck" slowly breaks down as he realizes Manny (Voight) isn't his savior, but a man who has already given up on life.
- Spot the Debut: Keep an eye out for a very young Danny Trejo in his first-ever film role. He was actually the boxing coach for Eric Roberts on set before the director put him in the movie.
The film is currently available on various streaming platforms like Prime Video or Tubi depending on your region. Turn the lights down, turn the volume up, and watch one of the greatest "man vs. machine" stories ever told.