‘Time Chasers,’ A Rutland-area Cult Movie Classic, Turns 31

By James Kent

Saturday, Aug. 16 at 2 p.m.—CUTTINGSVILLE—Fans of cult and schlock movies are in for a rare treat this Saturday afternoon at the Shrewsbury library. The legendary sci-fi film “Time Chasers” is screening for one show only. Local filmmaker David Giancola’s debut 1994 movie is the stuff that Ed Wood cinema dreams are made of. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Giancola. 

The film, which began shooting in the late ‘80s when Giancola was still a teenager, is a movie grab-bag of science fiction tropes and conventions focused on time travel. It’s difficult to describe, because no words can quite do justice to a movie that achieves such levels of unintentional hilarity. Was it the low budget, inexperienced actors, untrained writer/director, or the time-traveling small airplane equipped with the processing power of a Commodore 64 that made this silliness so irresistible? Impossible to say, but one thing is for sure: if you are not laughing your butt off throughout this film, you may not possess a soul. 

Giancola’s film may have lapsed into obscurity if not for the gang at “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” who spoofed the film in 1997. That appearance helped gain “Time Chasers” some notoriety and set it on a journey to cult-movie status. In 2016, the “Mystery Science” team re-spoofed the movie for their live “Rifftrax” show, turning this sci-fi flick into an absolute classic.

Truth be told, I’m not certain I’ve seen “Time Chasers” without either the “Mystery Science” or the “Rifftrax” commentary. I am absolutely sure I’ve seen the film several times with both these doctored versions, and I’m a major fan. So, don’t be surprised if you see yours truly at Saturday’s screening. Confession: my wife and I can’t wait. 

So, what else do you need to know? If you have a Castleton University logo shirt or sweatshirt, wear it. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. If you are feeling nostalgic and want to see what Rutland looked like back in 1990, there are plenty of area locations to admire throughout the film. And, if you are hankering for a slice of Papa Gino’s pizza, rest assured; in the future of “Time Chasers”, the Burlington, Vermont Mall housing that Papa Gino’s is still brightly shining in all its outdated 1980s glory. 

Now, if the folks at Killington Resort are listening, please arrange a screening of Giancola’s equally delightful “Icebreaker,” a high-stakes ski thriller set on the mountain. That’s another gem that begs to be seen.

James Kent is the arts editor at The Mountain Times.

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