On the Edge (1986)

Interesting facts

On the Edge is a 1986 American drama film directed by Rob Nilsson, and written by Nilsson and Roy Kissin. It stars Bruce Dern, Pam Grier, Bill Bailey, Jim Haynie, John Marley and Marty Liquori. The film was released on May 2, 1986, by Skouras Pictures.

Production

Dern worked for a deferred salary to participate in the film, which had a budget of $1.6 million. It was shot in 1983 but not distributed until late 1985 when Skouras Pictures picked it up. Pam Grier's role was cut from the theatrical release but reinstated in VHS versions

In a 1986 interview, Dern said that writer-director Rob Nilsson and co-producer Jeffrey Hayes raised an initial $300,000 of the $1.6 million budget by "going to races around the country and seeking contributions of as little as $10. This picture has more than 3,000 backers."

The movie revolved around a fictional race called the ‘Cielo-Sea’, based on the real Dipsea Race, which is the oldest trail race in America. Dern apparently ran the Dipsea in 1974.

Filming took place in the California towns of Sausalito and Richmond, and on trail areas of Mount Tamalpais where the actual Dipsea Race is held. Nilsson and cinematographer Czapsky used Steadicam operators riding on motorcycles, dollies, and pickup trucks to film runners. Some shots from the runners’ POV were captured by second unit director-camera operator Stephen Lighthill running with a camera either under his arm or dangling by his knee.

Described as an 'unabashed running junkie', lead Bruce Dern was an early participant of long distance running events, and used to run between 2,500 and 4,000 miles a year from the ages of 28 to 70.

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