Poster for The Stunt Man

The Stunt Man

1980, Mystery & thriller/Comedy, 2h 9m

41 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

The Stunt Man is a preposterously entertaining thriller with a clever narrative and Oscar-worthy (nomination, at least!) Peter O'Toole performance. Read critic reviews

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The Stunt Man Photos

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Movie Info

On the run from the police, Cameron (Steve Railsback) crashes the set of a Hollywood war movie. When he inadvertently causes a stunt man's death, the film's manipulative director, Eli Cross (Peter O'Toole), decides to shelter Cameron from the cops if he steps in as the daredevil's replacement. Though the arrangement seems like a good deal, it soon becomes a perilous position, with the situation only complicated when Cameron falls for the movie's lead actress, Nina Franklin (Barbara Hershey).
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Mystery & thriller, Comedy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Richard Rush
  • Producer:
    Richard Rush
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    20th Century Fox

Cast & Crew

Peter O'Toole
Peter O'Toole
Eli Cross
Steve Railsback
Steve Railsback
Cameron
Barbara Hershey
Barbara Hershey
Nina Franklin
Allen Garfield
Allen Garfield
Sam
Alex Rocco
Alex Rocco
Police Chief Jake
Sharon Farrell
Sharon Farrell
Denise
Adam Roarke
Adam Roarke
Raymond Bailey
Philip Bruns
Philip Bruns
Ace
Chuck Bail
Chuck Bail
Chuck Barton
John Garwood
John Garwood
Gabe
James Hess
James Hess
Henry
Richard Rush
Richard Rush
Director
Richard Rush
Richard Rush
Producer
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News & Interviews for The Stunt Man

Now Streaming: <em>Furious 7</em>, <em>Love &#038; Mercy</em>, <em>Fargo</em> And More
Now Streaming: Furious 7, Love & Mercy, Fargo And More
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Critic Reviews for The Stunt Man

All Critics (41) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (37) | Rotten (4)
Full Review… Linda Deutsch Associated Press Full Review… Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Full Review… Richard Schickel TIME Magazine Full Review… Joe Morgenstern Wall Street Journal Full Review… Variety Staff Variety Full Review… Geoff Andrew Time Out Full Review… Roger Moore Movie Nation Full Review… Film Threat Staff Film Threat Full Review… Nathan Rabin The Dissolve Full Review… Sean Axmaker Parallax View Full Review… Peter Ackroyd The Spectator Full Review… Film4 Staff Film4
View All Critic Reviews (41)

Audience Reviews for The Stunt Man

  • Apr 15, 2014
    A movie of intrigue but lacking in the craft needed to make it a classic.There are enough twists to keep it entertaining but it is not terribly memorable.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Sep 20, 2011
    Time after time the camera shows us people in precarious situations here only to pull back to reveal that everything just witnessed was an elaborate gag designed to please the director of a film ... even the ins and outs of personal relationships. Are our own lives so controlled? A paranoid drug-fueled delusion, mindlessly rambling at points, still interesting at points.
    Super Reviewer
  • Jun 22, 2011
    One of the strangest commentaries on filmmaking every made. I don't know if I'm merely baffled by this thing or if I genuinely found it exhilarating but I can't deny the originality.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Jun 12, 2011
    An effing masterpiece from beginning to end. There is just no two ways about it. Peter O'Toole was right. "This film wasn't released, it escaped." An amazing piece of cinema and fantastic performances across the board.
    Tim S Super Reviewer
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