In the early part of 1990, I found myself directing my first feature film at the age of 20. Standing in a freezing forest in Wales in the early hours of a February morning, I recall the convoy of trucks thundering up the side of the mountain.

It evoked the opening shot from the little known Michael Mann vampire film ‘The Keep’, as trucks thundered through mountains (also shot in Wales) the hypnotic music of Tangerine Dream.

Mark Talbot Butler was with me and we both marvelled at how life had now begun to not just reflect art, but the movies we so dearly loved.

The making of The Runner was an experience yet to be bested in my life, and that’s in no small part down to the people around me at that time. Gen, Jon, Terry, Johnny, Gary, Dickens, Cathy, Jane, Truce, Terrance, Adrian, Lisa, Stef, Nick, Owen, Andrew, Lee… and so many more. And of course Mark.

As I am sure you know Mark, the editor of The Runner (and also the writer and camera operator) died two days ago, and I am still struggling to process it. We also lost Johnny Kevorkian this year too. Both all too soon.

Only a month ago I spoke with Gen and Mark about a Runner screening event online to celebrate 30 years. And now this event HAS to happen. I will be connecting with everyone I can track down from The Runner and announcing plans as soon as I can.

The soundtrack which was recorded in our front room and performed by Gary Pinder is perhaps the most evocative element for me, as it takes me right back there.

If you love synth scores from action movies of the 80’s and 90’s, do yourself a favour and journey back down memory lane…

Onwards and upwards!

Chris Jones
Filmmaker, Author and Firewalk Instructor
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What am I doing now?
Directing splinter unit on Mission: Impossible 8
Exec producing The Enfield Poltergeist

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