Straight Time introduced him to Hollywood where he would enjoy a successful writing career as well as small acting parts here and there.He actually has a small cameo in Straight Time as one of Max’s criminal buddies he hooks back up with after he has gone back to crime. His No Beast So Fierce would have a lasting effect on crime films. He based the screenplay for Runaway Train, which he co-wrote, on it and had a bit part as a convict in it.

 

If anyone remembers, he was also the little-seen Mr. Blue in Reservoir Dogs.  Another one of Bunker’s novels Animal Factory was turned into a film in 2000 with Steve Buscemi directing and Bunker adapting the screenplay. He would also serve as a technical consultant on Heat and Michael Mann made his No Beast So Fierce required reading for DeNiro and his crew. Sadly, Bunker passed away 2 years ago due to diabetes.  

 

He is at the forefront of the documentary and gives you an excellent insight into the man and his troubled pastThe other extra is a highly enjoyable commentary with Hoffman and director Ulu Grosbard. They were recorded separately and one wonders if the difficulties during the shoot between the two necessitated it.

 

Both men are bluntly honest about the difficulties involved from Hoffman wanting to initially direct to the head of Warner Brothers telling Hoffman that no one would want to see the film. Hoffman had hand picked Grosbard to direct after he knew that he couldn’t. This was based on their previous friendship that dated back to Broadway.