Running Time (Synapse Films Blu-ray Review)

Is Running Time Trash or Treasure?

Blu-ray Distributed By: Synapse Films / March 16, 2021

Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead Series, TV’s Burn Notice) stars as Carl, a man who launches a full-scale heist to steal mob money from the prison that just released him. With the help of an old friend (Jeremy Roberts, The People Under the Stairs), a driver and a safe-cracker, Carl’s attempt to carry out the heist is fraught with incompetence and bad luck. As the clock ticks and the circumstances turn tragic, Carl is forced to make the most important decision of his life.

Inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope and filmed over twenty years before Sam Mendes’ 1917, writer/director Josh Becker designed Running Time to play out using the “one continuous shot” technique with no computer-assisted trickery. Expertly photographed and edited on film to take place over 70 minutes of real-time, this gritty crime thriller was shot entirely on location in the streets of Los Angeles.

Jimbo’s Take (4 / 5)

You’ve probably heard of Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead). You probably know his brother Ted. And who doesn’t enjoy a Bruce Campbell movie or TV show? (Looking at you Adventures of Briscoe County Jr.) But there’s one former Michigan classmate of this trio that never gets recognized. And that would be filmmaker Josh Becker.

Becker was actually the first one of this group to make his way out to Hollywood to try and make his fame and fortune. But as time has proven, Becker ended up living a starving artist lifestyle while his classmates found larger success. But while he may have been hidden in their career shadows, Becker has still managed to compile a decent resume of work that includes TV and film.

So it’s great when a label like Synapse Films can help resurrect a little seen independent gem like Running Time. I mean, who wouldn’t enjoy a Bruce Campbell deep cut? This 1997 crime/thriller definitely has some 90s Tarantino vibes. It’s very dialogue and performance driven, leaning heavily on timed delivery and blocking to achieve the “one continuous shot” illusion. It’s certainly gimmicky, but not so much that it detracts from the story and the characterizations Becker orchestrates.

And because it’s so performance driven, it was (at first) hard for me to take Campbell seriously. He’s made such a career out of hamming it up for the camera. But he plays this role pretty straight and he obviously took the job seriously for himself and his friend, Josh Becker. The rest of the cast bring a kind of 30s crime-noir inspired style to their characters, helping propel this well paced heist flick to a satisfying conclusion.

The Tech Stuff (5 / 5)

Synapse Films continues to give loving care to physical media and movies that our corporate overlords are content forgetting about. It really is no surprise then that so many boutique labels keep cropping up. Synapse was one of the first, and they give about as much care to something like Running Time as they might a more popular title.

Running Time is a true indie so it’s not going to look like Suspiria. But the transfer does replicate the grainy, gritty, noir thriller that Becker is crafting. Detail is strong, despite the heavy film-like grain. And the B&W photography is beautiful.

The DTS-HD MA Stereo sound track offers a nicely balanced sound design especially as the “one shot” moves in and out of interiors and noisy LA exteriors. Throughout, dialogue is always clear while the score gives the film some added bump when tension mounts.

All-New 2K scan and restoration of the original 16mm camera negative
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
Presented for the first time on video with the original theatrical stereo mix

Extras (4.5 / 5)

It goes without saying, any time you add Groovy Bruce to the proceedings it’s going to be an entertaining time. And fortunately he’s a part of every bonus feature on this blu-ray. His lifelong friendship with Becker makes the audio commentary a light and entertaining affair between the duo.

“Run and Gun” focuses exclusively on Campbell’s recollections of the film’s production, cast, and Director. Campbell tells some amusing stories and gives a glimpse into Becker’s filmmaking journey, including contracting scurvy.

The last major extra is archival Q&A footage with Becker and Campbell at the Freaky Film Festival. Even this Q&A proves more interesting because Becker and Campbell are forced to kill time (or should I say Run Time?) to allow festival techs time to prepare a video master screening because the film print got held up at a previous festival screening. Therefore this Q&A diverges all over the place.

Audio commentary with writer/director Josh Becker and star Bruce Campbell
Run and Gun with Bruce Campbell – All-new interview/featurette (22 mins.)
Q&A footage from the Freaky Film Festival Premiere at the University of Illinois
Original trailer
Reversible cover art from artists Wes Benscoter and Gerry Kissell

Trash or Treasure? Overall Recommendation

Running at a very brisk 68 minutes, Running Time leaves no time for boredom. It’s an entertaining little ride from start to finish. Even the special features entertain so thoroughly that you’ll fly through all of them in what feels like no time at all. Definitely worth owning to see Groovy Bruce do something a little more serious, but still retain his usual charm. Treasure!