The story of The Longshot
The Longshot is a 1986 comedy that centers on four decidedly ordinary men who catch what they're certain is a golden opportunity at the racetrack. These aren't seasoned bettors or gambling sophisticates—they're luckless types who stumble onto what seems like a guaranteed tip. The problem? They don't have the cash to capitalize on it. So they do what any desperate gambler might consider: they borrow money from the mob. What follows is a high-stakes wager that spirals into increasingly absurd complications. The film's premise is straightforward enough, but the execution—and the personalities involved—is where the comedy lives. It's a classic setup for chaos.
Behind the making of The Longshot
Director Paul Bartel, known for his darkly comedic sensibility and genre-bending work, helmed this 89-minute romp with a cast that brought serious comedic pedigree to the project. Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, both veterans of television comedy (Conway's work on The Carol Burnett Show and Korman's recurring role as a scene-stealing ensemble player made them household names), anchor the ensemble. Jack Weston, Ted Wass, Dick Enberg, Anne Meara, and Frank Bonner round out the cast—a mix of character actors and comedians who understood the rhythm of ensemble farce. The 1986 release came during a particular era of American comedy, when broad physical humor and rapid-fire dialogue still dominated the multiplex. Bartel's direction kept the pace snappy across its lean 89-minute runtime, a choice that reflected the production's confidence in its own comedic timing rather than indulging in lengthy set pieces.
What makes The Longshot stand out in 1980s comedy
What's striking about The Longshot is how it leans into the absurdity of its premise without winking at the audience—or rather, it winks constantly, but never loses the thread. Tim Conway's deadpan delivery and Harvey Korman's ability to play exasperation with physical comedy create a dynamic that works even when the script doesn't always land. The film doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is: a vehicle for comedians to riff on the timeless archetype of the desperate gambler. That's not a weakness. There's something honest about a comedy that knows its lane and stays in it. The mafia subplot, which could've felt tacked on, instead gives the film genuine stakes (pun intended)—these aren't just bumbling fools; they're bumbling fools who've made a very real mistake. The interplay between the comedy and the threat creates a kind of tonal tightrope that Bartel manages with surprising dexterity. I keep coming back to the fact that ensemble comedies from this era often feel either too loose or too rigid, but The Longshot finds a middle ground where the characters' desperation actually fuels the humor rather than undermining it.
Where to stream The Longshot online
If you're looking to catch The Longshot, you can stream it on Prime Video. The film's availability on a major platform like Prime means it's accessible without hunting through obscure rental services or waiting for a cable broadcast. For current streaming availability across multiple platforms and to confirm whether The Longshot is still available on your preferred service, Movie OTT tracks real-time updates for where movies are streaming. Rather than assuming a title is still available where you last saw it, checking Movie OTT's aggregated listings saves you the frustration of searching only to hit a paywall.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed The Longshot?
Paul Bartel directed The Longshot in 1986. Bartel was known for his darkly comedic sensibility and his ability to blend genre elements with character-driven humor, making him an ideal fit for this racetrack caper.
Q: What's the runtime of The Longshot?
The film runs 89 minutes, a lean length that reflects the director's commitment to keeping the pace brisk and the comedy moving without unnecessary padding.
Q: Where can I watch The Longshot?
The Longshot is currently available to stream on Prime Video. Check the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page for the most up-to-date availability across all platforms.
Q: Is The Longshot based on a true story?
No, The Longshot is an original comedy screenplay. It's a fictional tale of gamblers and their misadventures, not an adaptation or based on real events.
Q: Who stars in The Longshot?
The film features Tim Conway and Harvey Korman in the lead roles, supported by Jack Weston, Ted Wass, Dick Enberg, Anne Meara, and Frank Bonner. The ensemble cast brings significant comedic experience to the project.
Final thoughts on The Longshot
The Longshot won't revolutionize comedy or change how you think about the genre. That's fine. Not every film needs to swing for the fences. What it does offer is a straightforward, unpretentious comedy built on the charm of its cast and the inherent humor of watching ordinary people make increasingly bad decisions. If you're in the mood for a lightweight, character-driven farce with two of television's greatest comedians doing what they do best—and you've got 89 minutes to spare—it's worth a look on Prime Video. Sometimes the best reason to watch something is simply because it knows what it is.
