Running Against Time

1990 American science fiction television film

Stanley Shapiro
Robert Glass

Directed byBruce Seth GreenStarring

Robert Hays
Catherine Hicks
Sam Wanamaker

Music byDon DavisCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishProductionExecutive producers

Pat Finnegan
Sheldon Pinchuk

ProducerDavid RoessellCinematographyBrian R. R. HebbEditorHeather Jo MacDougallRunning time92 minutesProduction companies

Finnegan/Pinchuk Productions
MCA Television Entertainment
Coastline Partners

Original releaseNetworkUSA NetworkReleaseNovember 21, 1990 (1990-11-21)

Running Against Time is a 1990 American science fiction television film directed by Bruce Seth Green, written by Stanley Shapiro and Robert Glass, and starring Robert Hays, Catherine Hicks, and Sam Wanamaker. Based on Shapiro's 1986 novel A Time to Remember, the film is about a college professor who travels back in time in an attempt to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The film was Shapiro's final work; it aired on the USA Network on November 21, 1990, four months after his death, and was dedicated to his memory.

Plot

A college professor, who has not recovered after the death of his brother in Vietnam, hears rumors about a famous professor working on a time machine. He meets him and persuades the professor to send him back in time in order to stop the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the Vietnam War, but things don't go according to plan.^[1]^[2]

Cast

Robert Hays as David Rhodes
Catherine Hicks as Laura Whittaker
Sam Wanamaker as Hendryk Koopman, Ph.D.
Wayne Tippit as FBI Agent Landry
James DiStefano as Lee Harvey Oswald
Paul Scherrer as Chris Rhodes
Brian Smiar as President Lyndon B. Johnson
Milt Tarver as FBI Agent Clemens
Russ Marin as Chris's Doctor
Julie Ariola as Mrs. Rhodes
Duncan Gamble as Mr. Rhodes
Damion Stevens as Young David
Michael Whaley as Security Guard

Reception

Ken Tucker, writing for Entertainment Weekly called the movie "simultaneously solemn and wacky" but "not without charm".^[3] The LA Times compared it unfavorably to the Back to the Future films.^[4]

Years later, the similarities and differences with Stephen King's novel 11/22/63 and its TV adaptation, were referenced by critics.^[5]

References

^ "Running against Time (1990)". BFI. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
^ Green, Bruce Seth (1990-11-21), Running Against Time (Sci-Fi), Robert Hays, Catherine Hicks, Sam Wanamaker, Wayne Tippit, Coastline Partners, Finnegan/Pinchuk Productions, MCA Television Entertainment (MTE), retrieved 2021-01-25
^ "Running Against Time". EW.com. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
^ "TV Review : 'Against Time' on USA". Los Angeles Times. 1990-11-21. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
^ "11.22.63 Bonus Episode 3: A Time To Remember Running Against Time – 11.22.63". barrenspace.com. Retrieved 2021-01-25.