---
title: "Marathon Man: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/marathon-man/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/marathon-man"
critics_score: 60
critics_reviews: 7
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Marathon Man (1976): what the critics said

Critics' score 60 from 7 reviews: 4 positive, 1 mixed, 2 negative.

Most critics find Marathon Man an effective thriller, with praise concentrated on individual sequences and performances rather than the coherence of its plot. The favourable reviews credit Schlesinger’s direction with sustaining tension through intense situations, and repeatedly single out the dental sequence for its disturbing force. Olivier draws particular praise for his chilling presence, while Hoffman’s committed lead performance helps make the tangled intrigue involving Nazis, agents and diamonds compelling for several reviewers.

The reservations concern the slow build-up, fragmented construction and loose ends, weaknesses that even some admirers acknowledge. The spread is wide: where favourable reviews find enough suspense to overlook the plotting, Variety finds the lengthy set-up confusing and disengaging, with too little momentum in either story or performances. The New Yorker dissents more sharply, finding little suspense in the crosscutting and judging Hoffman miscast, making the acting itself a point of disagreement.

## Empire — Ian Nathan

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 July 2006. 

The critic praises Schlesinger’s taut thriller for its visceral dental-drill sequence and strong performances, especially Olivier’s chilling Nazi dentist and Hoffman’s committed lead, while noting the convoluted plot.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/marathon-man-review/)

## Radio Times — Tom Hutchinson

Rating 4/5. 

The critic calls it a gripping thriller with strong performances, especially Olivier as the essence of evil, and notes the memorable dentistry scene, while pointing out flaws like a slow start and fragmented structure.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-ltk58c/marathon-man/)

## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 October 1976. 

The critic praises the film as well-crafted escapist entertainment and a diabolical thriller that works moment by moment through strong scenes, even if the plot has loose ends. He singles out the skillful direction and standout sequences like the diamond district walk and the dental torture scene for holding attention.

[Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/marathon-man-1976)

## The New York Times — Vincent Canby

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 7 October 1976. 

The review presents the film as an effective thriller that engages viewers despite its specialized plot elements. It highlights the intense situations and performances in a positive light.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1976/10/07/archives/marathon-man-thriller-of-a-film.html)

## Time Out — DP

Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2012. 

The review finds the thriller effective in its basic set pieces but overall ponderous with obscure construction, loose ends, and overused locations; it singles out the compelling dentistry torture sequence as the best moment.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/marathon-man)

## Variety

Rating **. 31 December 1975. 

The review notes that the film spends too long setting up plot pieces from the novel, leaving viewers disengaged from the convoluted intrigue involving Nazis, agents, and diamonds. It criticizes the lack of clarity and momentum in the story and performances.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/1975/film/reviews/marathon-man-2-1200423690/)

## The New Yorker — Pauline Kael

Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 4 October 1976. 

The critic finds the film a disappointment and Schlesinger's worst, criticizing the lack of suspense, frazzled crosscutting, and miscasting of Hoffman. She singles out the muddled execution and Hoffman's gasping performance for complaint.

[Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1976/10/11/running-into-trouble)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/marathon-man.md