Weird video playing problem

[creasy]

I don't think this is a windows specific problem, but I don't have a mac to test to be sure. so i don't think I am violating the rules.

I have a video file (.avi format) and the actual length of the video is 1:04:36. It won't play in VLC.
When I try to play the video, the VLC cone stays on the screen and the time ticks away. No sound or video.
I have not tried letting the video play the entire time because the displayed length of the video (according to VLC) is 8:06:14.... If I try to skip forward, such as 4 hours in, VLC does nothing then closes by itself.

I can play the video with no problems with Windows Media Player and ffdshow.

Is this a problem with VLC or the video file? Any suggestions on how to get the file to play with VLC?

-thanks in advance