On the Edge (1985)

In one final attempt to achieve victory, an aging professional runner is training vigorously for a very tough marathon race.

Director:

Rob Nilsson

Writers:

Roy Kissin, Rob Nilsson

Stars:

Bruce Dern, Bill Bailey, Pam Grier

Cast

Credited cast:
Bruce Dern	...	Wes Holman
Pam Grier	...	Cora
Bill Bailey	...	Flash Holman
Jim Haynie	...	Owen Riley
John Marley	...	Elmo
Marty Liquori	...	TV Announcer
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Luigi Alfano	...	Pool Player
Tom Nettles	...	TV Reporter
Jean Shelton	...	Ellie
Marcie Stack	...	Marcie
Walt Stack	...	Walt
Johnny Tidwell	...	Johnny (as John Tidwell)
Frank Triest	...	Tomaso

Storyline

In one final attempt to achieve victory, an aging professional runner is training vigorously for a very tough marathon race.

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Plot Keywords:

running | independent film | race | 

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Taglines:

Feel the pain, live the dream, share the glory

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final film of John Marley.

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Alternate Versions

10 minutes of footage with Pam Grier nudity and sex restored to unrated video version after being cut from R rated theatrical version when sneak preview audiences objected.

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Connections

Referenced in The Accused (1988)

User Reviews

runners of the world, unite!

An over-the-hill distance runner and lapsed left-wing radical (Bruce Dern) begins training for the infamous 'Dipsea' marathon: a brutal contest run between San Francisco Bay and Stinson Beach over the 2600 foot summit of Mount Tamalpais. Rob Nilsson's modestly budgeted (but quite accomplished) drama may, in outline, resemble a Marin County 'Rocky' rip-off, but the scenario hides more than one surprise, including a novel twist to the all-too familiar against-the-odds formula: Dern's political beliefs get him banned from professional competition, and after entering the race illegally he has to contend not only with the physical demands of the course itself, but also with irate officials trying to pull him bodily off the track throughout its length. Long distance running can hardly be called an exciting spectator sport, so it's all the more surprising to find so much tension generated during the climactic challenge, for the most part by a combination of deft editing and ominous music cues. But the effect is nearly spoiled by a discordant 'Chariots of Fire' resolution, in which Nilsson's already obvious political sentiments are pulled too far into the foreground.

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 May 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

On the Edge

Filming Locations:

Marin County, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$64,141, 4 May 1986

Gross USA:

$440,438

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Communications Corporation, IFI, New Front Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color