The Runner Stumbles

Director: Stanley Kramer Stanley Kramer

Overview

This melodrama is based on an actual event from the late 1920s. The tragic tale of Father Rivard -- a priest accused of killing the nun he fell in love with -- takes place in three time frames. He is seen in jail, with his lover, and on trial.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/19/2020
UPC:	0738329244712
Original Release:	1979
Rating:	PG
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:49:00

Special Features

Audio Commentary by Film Historian and Critic Peter Tonguette; Trailers

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Dick Van Dyke	Father Rivard
Kathleen Quinlan	Sister Rita
Maureen Stapleton	Mrs. Shandig
Ray Bolger	Monsignor Nicholson
Tammy Grimes	Erna
Beau Bridges	Toby
Allen Nause	Prosecutor
John Procaccino	Amos
Billy Jayne	James
Marguerite Morrissey	Sister Immaculata
Zoaunne LeRoy	Sister Martha
Don Riley	Maurice
Ted D'Arms	Sheriff
Kendall Kay Munsey	Louise
Casey Kramer	Marie,Sophie
Jim Doyle	Matt Webber
Bill Dore	Judge
Jock Dove	Dr. McNabb
Larry Buck	Fire Chief

Technical Credits

Stanley Kramer	Director,Producer
Melvin Simon	Executive Producer

Editorial Reviews

Those who feel that the films of Stanley Kramer are more interested in getting a message across than in obeying the niceties of cinematic drama will not have their minds changed by The Runner Stumbles, a late Kramer work that lays things on a bit heavily. An interesting choice, however, has been made in the manner in which the screenplay has been shaped, jumbling the sequence of events from its traditional three-act structure into a succession of flashbacks that manage to keep the viewer guessing. Ultimately, though, the gimmick wears thin and the staginess of the original material still seeps through; combined with the ponderousness of the material, this helps to keep the film from ever becoming the intellectual yet moving drama it wants to be. The blame certainly doesn't rest with the cast, as Dick Van Dyke, Kathleen Quinlan, and (especially) Maureen Stapleton all contribute finely honed portraits that manage to rise above the stereotypes that threaten to drag their characters down. This Runner definitely stumbles, but the cast keeps it from falling.