Shoot or Be Shot
2002 American film
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Shoot or Be Shot is a low-budget independent film that premiered in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Minnesota on January 25, 2002.[1] This comedy film satirizes the filmmaking movement Dogme 95.[2] The idea for the film was inspired by The Producers and An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn.[3]
Steve Catanzaro
Alistair Salton
Ralph Linhardt
Michael Tarzian
Ralph Winter
Harry Hamlin
Scott Rinker
Julianne Christie
Marcus Ashley
| Shoot or Be Shot | |
|---|---|
| |
| Directed by | J. Randall Argue |
| Screenplay by | J. Randall Argue Steve Catanzaro Alistair Salton |
| Produced by | J. Randall Argue Ralph Linhardt Michael Tarzian Ralph Winter |
| Starring | William Shatner Harry Hamlin Scott Rinker Julianne Christie Marcus Ashley |
| Cinematography | Ralph Linhardt |
| Edited by | Tom Dignan Rich Mikan |
| Music by | Joseph Alfuso |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1.5 million |
Shoot or Be Shot has a runtime of 90 minutes and was directed by J. Randall Argue.[4] At the time of the film's theatrical release, two other films Shatner was involved with were nearing their release dates: Showtime, in which he acted as himself, and Groom Lake, which he directed.[5]
Premise
William Shatner stars in the film as Harvey Wilkes, a patient who escapes from a psychiatric hospital to a desert, kidnaps a film crew there, and forces them to make a movie.[6]
Release and reception
Shoot or Be Shot was released on DVD by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment in May 2004.[7] Ian Jane of DVD Talk gave the film a negative review, saying that the film is "just not funny".[8] Michelle Fajkus of Hybrid Cinema, who also gave the film a negative review, wrote that the film promotes stereotypes with its use of stock characters, such as the dumb blonde.[9] Jeff Strickler of the Star Tribune called the film "a low-rent version of Bowfinger".[10]