The Most Dangerous Game (1932) ***1/2

The first film version of the oft-adapted 1924 short story by Richard Connell, 1932's The Most Dangerous Game is a dated but thrilling adventure picture with horror elements. Its brisk running time (a mere 63 minutes, as long as many episodes of television these days) works greatly in its favor—the premise is set up quickly and unnecessary back story is avoided. The insanely prolific Max Steiner provides a suitably and wonderfully ominous score. The influence of the story, themes, and this particular film adaptation cannot be overstated—it can be seen and felt in dozens of films such as The 10th Victim (1965) (review), Death Race 2000 (1975), The Running Man (1987), Hard Target (1993) (review), Battle Royale (2000), and Ready Or Not (2019) (review), to name just a few.