DEAD MAN ON THE RUN

US, 1975, 73 minutes, Colour.
Peter Graves, Katherine Justice, Pernell Roberts.
Directed by Bruce Bilson.

Dead Man on the Run is a police telemovie about an elite squad of federal investigators and the investigation of a murder. It is conventional telemovie material very similar to so many series.

1. An enjoyable television thriller? Significance and meaning of the name? Satisfying entertainment?

2. The thriller genre and the conventions, the police, the criminals? The aftermath of Watergate, presidential candidate assassinations, cover-ups and conspiracies, security, ex-C.I.A. and Vietnam veterans involved in crooked defence and security? How well were these ingredients from contemporary America used in the thriller conventions?

3. Location photography, New Orleans, city acts, offices, big firms, security?

4. How credible in this kind of plot in the light of contemporary American history, assassination attempts, conspiracies, single-minded businessmen convinced of the danger of a candidate and using violent means? The firms for such assassinations, the men used, cover-ups and further murders? Police investigating, hampered by authorities? Credible for this thriller?

5. The importance of the character of Gideon and the upright policeman his record of investigation, his taking of risks? His assistants and his suspicions, interrogating them, the efficiency of their work? The surprise of Meg being the leak - her motivation and confession about money, her contribution to the solving of the problem?

6. Dillon and his background, his ruthlessness, self-protection? Confrontation of Munroe, kidnapping of Libby and killing her? His contacts? His overreaching himself and his being apprehended? A credible contemporary villain? His associates?

7. The presentation of Munroe and his single-mindedness, politics, ruthlessness? Pressure on his daughter and his daughter's marriage? His finally being destroyed?

8. The minor characters and their credibility: assassins, security men, police, politicians? The background of Washington and pressures and cover-ups?

9. Comment on the political implications of this kind of thriller, the revelations about American society and politics? If true of America, of other countries? The entertainment value, the social comment?