Straight Time (1978)
A raw, uncompromising crime drama starring Dustin Hoffman as a parolee caught between the desire to go straight and a system designed to pull him back.
Straight Time - Movie Information
- Original Title: Straight Time
- Release Year: 1978
- Directed by: Ulu Grosbard
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 54m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Cantonese, English, Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 18, 1978 (Sweden - 15), March 18, 1978 (United States - R), September 21, 1978 (Germany), October 16, 2012 (France - 12), April 21, 1978 (Italy)
- Alternative Titles: Stunde der Bewährung (DE)
- Production Companies: First Artists, Sweetwall, Warner Bros. Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Straight Time - Plot
After being released on parole, a burglar attempts to go straight, get a regular job, and just go by the rules. He soon finds himself back in jail at the hands of a power-hungry parole officer.
Straight Time - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Dustin Hoffman bring Max Dembo to life:
“Please God, don’t let him get caught.”
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Straight Time - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ulu Grosbard
Main Cast
- Dustin Hoffman
- Theresa Russell
- Gary Busey
- Harry Dean Stanton
- M. Emmet Walsh
- Rita Taggart
- Kathy Bates
- Sandy Baron
- Jake Busey
- Peter Kwong
Writers
- Alvin Sargent
- Edward Bunker
- Jeffrey Boam
Producers
- Stanley Beck
- Tim Zinnemann
Straight Time - FAQs
What is Straight Time about?
Straight Time follows Max Dembo, a career criminal played by Dustin Hoffman, who gets out of prison determined to rebuild his life. But a vindictive parole officer keeps sabotaging his efforts, and Max finds himself sliding back into robbery and violence. It’s a raw, unsparing look at how the system can make rehabilitation nearly impossible.
Is Straight Time based on a true story?
Yes, Straight Time is adapted from the 1958 novel No Beast So Fierce by Edward Bunker, who drew heavily from his own experiences as a career criminal and ex-convict. Bunker also appears in the film as a character named Mickey, lending the story an unmistakable authenticity that sets it apart from typical crime dramas.
Where can you stream Straight Time?
Straight Time is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It’s not currently on a subscription streaming service, but it’s easy to find through any of those digital platforms for a small rental fee.
How does Dustin Hoffman’s performance hold up today?
Hoffman’s portrayal of Max Dembo is widely regarded as one of his finest and most underappreciated performances. He originally served as producer before handing that role off and committing fully to acting. The result is a deeply internalized, physically committed turn that feels utterly real — dangerous, sympathetic, and impossible to look away from.
Who are the main cast members in Straight Time?
The film features a remarkable ensemble alongside Dustin Hoffman. Theresa Russell plays his love interest Jenny, Gary Busey and Harry Dean Stanton are his criminal associates, and M. Emmet Walsh delivers a memorably loathsome turn as the corrupt parole officer. Kathy Bates also appears in an early screen role.
Is Straight Time worth watching for crime film fans?
Absolutely. Straight Time is a lean, unsentimental crime drama that influenced a generation of filmmakers. Critics have praised its refusal to glamorize crime or offer easy redemption. If you love films like Heat or Shot Caller, this is essential viewing — gritty, character-driven, and anchored by one of Hoffman’s most committed performances.
Did Straight Time receive any notable awards recognition?
Straight Time was largely overlooked during awards season despite strong critical notices. However, it has earned a significant cult reputation over the decades. Dustin Hoffman’s performance is frequently cited in retrospectives as one of the great undervalued acting achievements of the New Hollywood era of the 1970s.
Where was Straight Time filmed?
The film was shot on location across Los Angeles, including neighborhoods in Beverly Hills and other parts of the city. Cinematographer Owen Roizman captured the sun-bleached, unglamorous side of LA — strip malls, cheap motels, and suburban streets — giving the film a documentary-like texture that perfectly mirrors Max Dembo’s bleak world.
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