A runner, serving a life sentence at Folsom Prison, works at becoming the world's fastest miler and wins a chance to compete for a spot on the Olympic team.
Direction
Mann's debut already has that neon-noir precision.
Acting
Peter Strauss runs like his life depends on it—because it does.
Cinematography
Folsom shot on location, no prison set could match this.
Director
Michael Mann
Peter Strauss
Larry "Rain" Murphy
Roger E. Mosley
"Cotton" Crown
Richard Lawson
R.C. Stiles
Brian Dennehy
Dr. D
Geoffrey Lewis
Dr. Bill Jankowski
Billy Green Bush
Warden Earl Gulliver
Ed Lauter
Jerry Beliot
Beverly Todd
Wylene
William Prince
O.A.U. Chairman
Miguel Piñero
Rubio
Richard Moll
Joker Gibb
Burton Gilliam
Jimmy-Jack
Ji-Tu Cumbuka
Brother Lateef
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot inside actual Folsom Prison with real inmates as extras. Some cast members were genuinely terrified.
Mann fought the network to keep the downer ending—his first of many battles for artistic integrity.
US
