Running Scared (1980)
A Cold War action-adventure about two servicemen hunted as spies after an accidental photograph exposes them to military suspicion.
Running Scared - Movie Information
- Original Title: Running Scared
- Release Year: 1980
- Directed by: Paul Glickler
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Action, Adventure
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 36m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 1, 1980 (United States - PG), September 17, 1982 (Germany - 16)
- Alternative Titles: Tappajat kintereillä (FI), Persecución implacable (ES), Tromeri katadioxi (GR), Corrida em Pânico (BR), Les marais de la mort (FR), Fuga per la vita (IT), A Grande Fuga (PT), Im Fadenkreuz des CIA (DE)
- Production Companies: The Running Scared Company
- Production Countries: United States of America
Running Scared - Plot
It's 1961. Two servicemen smuggle a box of military gear to USA. Leroy tries out a military camera and accidentally takes a picture of some military facilities. Army finds one of the pictures and thinks they're communist spies.
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Running Scared - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Paul Glickler
Main Cast
- Ken Wahl
- Judge Reinhold
- Annie McEnroe
- Bradford Dillman
- John Saxon
- Pat Hingle
- Lonny Chapman
- Tom McFadden
- Tim Brantly
- Lisa Felcoski
Writers
- David Odell
- Paul Glickler
Producers
- Paul Glickler
Running Scared - FAQs
What is Running Scared (1980) about?
Running Scared follows two young servicemen in 1961 who smuggle military equipment back to the United States. When one of them accidentally photographs classified military installations, the Army suspects them of being communist spies, triggering a tense Cold War manhunt through Florida's swamps and waterways.
Is Running Scared based on a true story?
Running Scared is a fictional story, not based on real events. However, it draws on the genuine paranoia and tensions of the early Cold War era, particularly the climate of suspicion surrounding military secrets and communist espionage fears that gripped the United States in the early 1960s.
Where can you stream Running Scared (1980)?
You can catch Running Scared for free on several platforms, including Tubi TV, Plex, Plex Channel, Fawesome, Shout! Factory TV, and YouTube Free — all with ads. It's widely accessible without a subscription, making it easy to watch anytime.
Does Running Scared feature a boat chase scene?
Yes! One of the film's standout sequences involves a thrilling boat chase through Florida's swampy terrain. The wetlands setting adds a gritty, claustrophobic tension to the pursuit, as the two protagonists desperately try to evade military forces closing in on them from all sides.
Who are the main actors in Running Scared?
The film stars Ken Wahl as Chas McClain and Judge Reinhold as Leroy Beecher — both in early career roles. They're supported by a strong cast including Annie McEnroe, Bradford Dillman, John Saxon, and Pat Hingle, giving the film solid dramatic weight.
Why do the Army suspect the two servicemen of spying?
Leroy accidentally uses a smuggled military camera and unknowingly snaps photos of restricted military facilities. When the Army discovers one of those pictures, they immediately assume the worst — that the two men are communist operatives gathering intelligence — setting the entire manhunt in motion.
What is the age rating for Running Scared (1980)?
Running Scared is rated PG, making it accessible to a broad audience. While it features action, chase sequences, and Cold War tension, the content is relatively mild by today's standards — suitable for older kids and teens watching alongside adults.
Was Running Scared an early role for Judge Reinhold?
Yes, Running Scared was one of Judge Reinhold's earliest film appearances, released in 1980 before his breakout roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and Beverly Hills Cop (1984). It's a fascinating early glimpse of the actor before he became a household name in Hollywood comedies.
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