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Breakdown

  • 19971997
  • RR
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
55K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,607
634
Kathleen Quinlan and Kurt Russell in Breakdown (1997)
CrimeDramaMystery
A man searches for his missing wife after his car breaks down in the middle of the desert.A man searches for his missing wife after his car breaks down in the middle of the desert.A man searches for his missing wife after his car breaks down in the middle of the desert.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
55K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,607
634
  • Director
    • Jonathan Mostow
  • Writers
    • Jonathan Mostow(story)
    • Sam Montgomery(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Kurt Russell
    • J.T. Walsh
    • Kathleen Quinlan
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jonathan Mostow
  • Writers
    • Jonathan Mostow(story)
    • Sam Montgomery(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Kurt Russell
    • J.T. Walsh
    • Kathleen Quinlan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 309User reviews
    • 93Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations

    Photos215

    Jonathan Mostow in Breakdown (1997)
    Kurt Russell in Breakdown (1997)
    Kurt Russell in Breakdown (1997)
    Kurt Russell, J.T. Walsh, and Rex Linn in Breakdown (1997)
    Kathleen Quinlan and Kurt Russell in Breakdown (1997)
    Kathleen Quinlan and Kurt Russell in Breakdown (1997)
    Breakdown (1997)
    Kurt Russell and J.T. Walsh in Breakdown (1997)
    Kathleen Quinlan in Breakdown (1997)
    Kurt Russell and J.T. Walsh in Breakdown (1997)
    Kurt Russell, J.T. Walsh, and Rex Linn in Breakdown (1997)
    Kurt Russell in Breakdown (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kurt Russell
    Kurt Russell
    • Jeff Taylor
    J.T. Walsh
    J.T. Walsh
    • Red Barr
    Kathleen Quinlan
    Kathleen Quinlan
    • Amy Taylor
    M.C. Gainey
    M.C. Gainey
    • Earl
    Jack Noseworthy
    Jack Noseworthy
    • Billy
    Rex Linn
    Rex Linn
    • Sheriff Boyd
    Ritch Brinkley
    Ritch Brinkley
    • Al
    Moira Sinise
    Moira Sinise
    • Arleen
    • (as Moira Harris)
    Kim Robillard
    Kim Robillard
    • Deputy Len Carver
    Thomas Kopache
    Thomas Kopache
    • Calhoun
    Jack McGee
    Jack McGee
    • Bartender
    Vincent Berry
    • Deke
    Helen Duffy
    • Flo
    Ancel Cook
    • Barfly
    Gene Hartline
    Gene Hartline
    • Tow Truck Driver
    Steve Waddington
    • Cowboy In Bank
    Rick Sanders
    • Truck Stop Trucker
    Alitzah
    Alitzah
    • Spanish Girl
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Jonathan Mostow
    • Writers
      • Jonathan Mostow(story) (screenplay)
      • Sam Montgomery(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Red (J.T. Walsh) says to Jeff (Kurt Russell): "49 minutes, Jeff. Time to get the show on the road." - it is exactly 49 minutes until the end of the movie.
    • Goofs
      In the final chase sequence, the pickup truck is repeatedly rammed from behind, yet shows no damage when stopped on the bridge.
    • Quotes

      Jeff: Give me the key.

      Red: Mister...

      Jeff: Don't "mister" me you son of a bitch. My wife is locked up in a hole in your fucking barn, and if you don't give me the key, I'm gonna blow your fucking head off!

    • Alternate versions
      The film originally had a prologue added at the behest of the producers showing Kurt Russell's character as a cameraman in a war zone. He witnesses the death of a young girl and this prompts the cross country trip with his wife to start a new job. Director Jonathan Mostow did not like the opening and asked Paramount to test screen one version with the prologue and one without. After the screenings, the studio executives agreed with Mostow and opted to remove the prologue.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Breakdown/Warriors of Virtue/Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery/Truth or Consequences/Commandments (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Burgers & Fries
      (1978)

      Written by Ben Peters

      Performed by Charley Pride

      Courtesy of the RCA Records Label of BMG Entertainment

    User reviews309

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Terrific thriller that wastes no time to get where it's going
    "Breakdown" is a nice little movie that is straightforward, has characters you truly care about, has a simple setup. And it never flags. And it keeps you guessing. Those are good qualities for movies, especially actioners and thrillers, and ones with this kind of premise. And the film has just enough characters (no more than it needs to have) to keep you involved. If the cops were any help, then there wouldn't be much of a story. It also doesn't take itself too seriously. The bad guys here are interesting, but perhaps if there were only one villain, then the movie could have been longer. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys thrillers that accomplishes a lot.

    ***1/2 out of ****
    helpful•23
    3
    • raisleygordon
    • Sep 13, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 2, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sieppaus erämaassa
    • Filming locations
      • Sedona, Arizona, USA
    • Production companies
      • Dino De Laurentiis Company
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Spelling Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $36,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $50,159,144
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,307,128
      • May 4, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $50,159,144
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

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