
A Place in Time 1977
A Place in Time (1977) stands as a distinctive entry in independent cinema, offering a silent meditation on guilt and redemption through the lens of urban street life.
Director: Charles Lane
Cast

Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Place in Time (1977) about?
The film follows a New York City street artist who witnesses a crime and embarks on a personal journey to redeem himself for earlier failures to intervene. Through silent pantomime, it explores themes of guilt, moral responsibility, and urban isolation.
Who directed A Place in Time?
Charles Lane directed A Place in Time, bringing his distinctive visual storytelling style to this early work that would influence his later films.
Who stars in A Place in Time?
The film stars Charles Lane in the lead role.
Is A Place in Time (1977) worth watching?
At just 34 minutes, A Place in Time offers a unique cinematic experience as a silent crime drama. While unrated on IMDb, its artistic merit and historical significance as an early work by Lane make it worthwhile for fans of experimental and independent cinema.
How long is A Place in Time?
The film runs for 34 minutes.
About A Place in Time (1977) — Silent Street Drama of Redemption
A Place in Time (1977) stands as a distinctive entry in independent cinema, offering a silent meditation on guilt and redemption through the lens of urban street life. This brief yet impactful 34-minute film follows a New York City street artist who becomes an unwitting witness to criminal activity, sparking a personal journey toward atonement for past failures to act. Director Charles Lane crafts a compelling social realist narrative using only pantomime and visual storytelling, creating an atmosphere that speaks to the isolation and moral complexity of city existence.
Shot in the tradition of silent cinema, A Place in Time (1977) demonstrates remarkable deftness in conveying deep emotional themes without dialogue. The film's brevity doesn't diminish its power—instead, it creates an intimate character study that explores how witnessing injustice can transform a person's relationship with their community. Lane's early work here laid important groundwork for his later acclaimed film Sidewalk Stories (1989), showing his consistent commitment to portraying urban experiences with authenticity and grace. The combination of crime elements with dramatic social commentary makes this short film a fascinating glimpse into both 1970s independent filmmaking and the evolution of an important director's voice.