Straight Time (1978)

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. When he is released again, he assaults the parole officer, steals his car, and returns to a life of crime.

Originally, Dustin Hoffman was directing the film. But he changed his mind after a few days of filming and hired Ulu Grosbard.

A pet project for Dustin Hoffman, he was originally due to direct himself. Denied final cut by the studio, he ended up suing Warner Brothers over their treatment of the film.

Dustin Hoffman visited the author of the source novel, Edward Bunker, in prison to express interest in making the novel into a film. Hoffman's enthusiasm as well as excellent reviews helped prompt the authorities into releasing Bunker early.

Eddie Bunker helped co-write the screenplay with Alvin Sargent when the latter came to visit him at San Quentin prison. The film was in pre-production when Bunker was released.