“It is safe?” The chilling code phrase from director John Schlesinger’s MARATHON MAN (1976) earned a place among the American Film Institute’s list of the most memorable movie quotes of all time – with Laurence Olivier’s evil Dr. Szell appearing among the art form’s most terrifying villains. With a central performance from AFI Life Achievement Award honoree Dustin Hoffman and a screenplay by the great William Goldman – adapted from his own novel – the film was also recognized among the most heart-pounding thrillers of all time.
Visit the AFI Catalog to learn more about MARATHON MAN.
Michael Bergen
Great choices! Couldn’t recall the destruction of the set.