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The Runner Stumbles

Play trailer Poster for The Runner Stumbles PG 1979 1h 39m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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50% Tomatometer 12 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
A small-town priest (Dick Van Dyke) stands trial for killing a nun (Kathleen Quinlan) he had secretly loved.

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety 11/07/2007
Throughout, the film is paced by fine performances, especially Van Dyke as Father Rivard, Quinlan as Sister Rita and Maureen Stapleton as Van Dyke's housekeeper. Go to Full Review Time Out 06/24/2006
Deadly earnestness over Van Dyke's tortured celibacy becomes risible long before the Perry Mason conclusion and a final scene of indescribable bathos. Go to Full Review Janet Maslin New York Times 05/09/2005
2/5
Mr. Van Dyke's performance, though extremely sympathetic, is hard to assess. He worries and suffers, but the film finds nothing vital in his ordeal. Go to Full Review Tom Huhn Washington Blade 05/18/2022
Stanley Kramer’s problem is finally, like that of Father Rivard, an inability to commit himself fully to what he believes. Go to Full Review Judy Wynn Sojourner 08/14/2019
Once The Runner Stumbles gets on its feet, it becomes a moving minor tragedy, superbly acted. Go to Full Review Jesús Fernández Santos El Pais (Spain) 08/08/2019
An honest melodrama where Stanley Kramer, once again, portrays the issues of our time period. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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John M 12/27/2023 I saw this when it came out. It was a great film and to this day I still remember it. Dick Van Dyke was amazing as he was in everything he did See more Read all reviews
The Runner Stumbles

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Cast & Crew

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Stanley Kramer

Director

Dick Van Dyke

Father Brian Rivard

Kathleen Quinlan

Sister Rita

Maureen Stapleton

Mrs. Shandig
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The Runner Stumbles

The Runner Stumbles (1979) The Runner Stumbles (1979) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A small-town priest (Dick Van Dyke) stands trial for killing a nun (Kathleen Quinlan) he had secretly loved.
Director
Stanley Kramer
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 39m