Courage

Raw Courage is good. Actually, when you compare it to the kind of dusty old VHS tapes slowly making their way into the trash bins in the dawn of the DVD era, it's REALLY good.

It's from that "fight for your life" subgenra of horror film, where everyday guys find themselves trapped somewhere away from civilizaion while being hunted by some kind of maniacs.

In this film, the victims are three cross country runners who have planned a trek through the desert. Eventually, they run across a squad of militia men who end up hunting them down after some taunting goes bad. As is the case with most films of this ilk, the hunted are used to symbolize different sides of Man's psychie. Ronny Cox is the slightly nebbish husband who dosent know what to do. While the other guy is an aggressive alpha mail, and the other other guy is a whiny brat who just wants to hide.

I suppose what I liked best about the film was that it always seemed probable. The protagonists never do anything outlandish like rig up a brilliant death trap out of rocks and sand. Their ways of fighting back are the same kind of simple things that you or I would probably think of if we were in the situation. And because of this, many of the scenes are quite thrilling since some of their plans don't always work (their attempt at stealing a horse).

The villians are pretty silly, and never really rise above the level of stock; While the film's literal "finish line" pushed my good will to the breaking point. But overall, I was happy I saw this one.

As for that opening scene: Fade in to a close up of Cox's waxy, brown foot, as his fingers dip into a creamy vat of Petroleum Jelly with a disgusting squish. Followed by about a good twenty seconds or so of him lovingly smearing and caressing the goop inbetween his stubby toes.

It's probably the most disgusting minutes of film I've ever seen.

It's truly incomprehensible how some rubbishy movies are so popular and easily available whilst, at the same time, there still are such wonderful gems out there that sadly remain obscure and undiscovered. I doubt many people have ever heard of "Death Run" (a.k.a "Courage" and "Raw Courage"). I hadn't heard about it either, before an even bigger movie-buff than myself recommended it to me. It's a damn shame that this film is so underrated because it's a terrifically tense and action-packed 80's thriller with great acting performances as well as a solid screenplay and a unique setting. "Death Run" is more or less Ronny Cox' one-man-project. This shamefully neglected B-movie star co-wrote, produced and starred as one the lead characters, and he did a tremendously fine job in all three areas. Three generations of ambitious runners decide to run through the desert area for charity. Pete Canfield (Cox) is the elderly guy who never was quite satisfied with what he accomplished in life, Craig (Tim Maier) is the young lad who's constantly put under pressure by his dominant father and middle-aged Roger (Art Hindle) is the potent friend who endless supports and consults the other two. Deep into the desert, the trio encounters a bunch of crazed wannabe-military vigilantes from Denver (led by the sneering M. Emmet Walsh, who's once again in great shape). When their dangerous "training exercises" go awry and result into a fatal accident, the protagonists literally have to run for their lives, as the vigilantes won't allow them to reach the end of the desert alive. And since it's incredibly hard to outrun maniacs on motorcycles, they may even have to put up a fight. "Death Run" is drama, satire, action, and revenge-exploitation all in one. The premise is simple but effective and especially the villains are menacingly realistic. Crazed and trigger-happy vigilantes form a much bigger threat than, say, giant desert worms or space invaders and hence the suspense is much more genuine. The script makes full use of the inescapable desert location, with all its natural death traps and hideout places. There are some unexpected surprises and effective shocks to experience in this movie and the sober musical guidance is excellent. Personally, I think the ending could have been a little better, but generally speaking "Death Run" is an awesome film and here's to hoping a fancy DVD-release will follow soon. Recommended, for sure.

I found this on Youtube and decided against my best judgment to give it a look. While this movie has its problems, it's an above average thriller about 3 runners being chased through the desert by an ad hoc militia. Some of the issues: 30 seconds of a man putting Vaseline between his toes is about 25 seconds too long, and while M. Emmet Walsh is a very good actor, he doesn't make all that terrifying a villain. But the plusses outweigh the minuses. The acting's pretty good, the situations are not so far out that they defy belief, and the pacing is solid. This isn't going to supplant Rambo as your go to action film, but you could do a lot worse.

I saw this for the first time on a vhs in the early 90s.

Revisited it recently.

It is one of the finest survival thriller where three marathon runners are tormented in the desert by a hoard of vengeful wannabe soldiers.

This movie has amazing settings, scorching sun, white dunes, barren landscape/desert, steep rocks, dusty terrain n deadly snakes.

The rock climbing scenes are tension filled n there is a wonderful aerial photography from the rock.

There is good amount of chase sequences n as viewers we all rejoice whenever any of the demented soldier gets killed.

This movie has lots of flaws, none of the soldiers had any guns or explosives, who organized the marathon, the soldiers background story is nada, there were no checkpoints throughout the trail, how will one come to know if the marathon runners cheated or not, etc.

But all these are forgiven by me cos i enjoyed the movie as it has plenty of tension, amazing sun soaked settings, heart pounding rock climbing scenes, etc.

Comparisons with Deliverance, Rituals n Southern Comfort will crop up but that's ok cos this movie succeeded in maintaining tension throughout.

There is another underrated survival thriller from the 90s known as Judgement Night and luckily i own a dvd of Judgement Night.

About long distance runners who are kidnapped by some vigilantes in the desert in New Mexico. This movie was one of those late night finds..it is a very suspenseful film that you will not change the channel from.. A very worthwhile rental that will keep you engaged from start to the bitter end..on a scale of one to ten..8