Breakdown (1997)

A man searches for his missing wife after his car breaks down in the middle of the desert.

Director:

Jonathan Mostow

Writers:

Jonathan Mostow (story), Jonathan Mostow (screenplay)

Stars:

Kurt Russell, J.T. Walsh, Kathleen Quinlan

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kurt Russell	...	Jeff Taylor
J.T. Walsh	...	Red Barr
Kathleen Quinlan	...	Amy Taylor
M.C. Gainey	...	Earl
Jack Noseworthy	...	Billy
Rex Linn	...	Sheriff Boyd
Ritch Brinkley	...	Al
Moira Sinise	...	Arleen (as Moira Harris)
Kim Robillard	...	Deputy Len Carver
Thomas Kopache	...	Calhoun
Jack McGee	...	Bartender
Vincent Berry	...	Deke
Helen Duffy	...	Flo
Ancel Cook	...	Barfly
Gene Hartline	...	Tow Truck Driver

Storyline

Jeff and Amy Taylor are moving to California and must drive across the country. When they find themselves stranded in the middle of a desert with hardly anyone or anything around, their trip comes to a sudden halt. Amy had taken a ride with a friendly trucker to a small diner to call for help, but after a long time, Jeff becomes worried. He finds that no one in the diner has seen or heard from his wife. When he finds the trucker who gave Amy the ride, the trucker swears he has never seen her. Now Jeff must attempt to find his wife, who has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. But who can he trust?

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Plot Keywords:

car truck chase | trucker | breakdown | missing wife | violence | 

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Taglines:

A cross-country trip. An unexpected breakdown. The trap has been set.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence/terror and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 May 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

A félelem országútján

Filming Locations:

Archview RV Resort & Campground - 13701 N Hwy 191, Moab, Utah, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$36,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,307,128, 4 May 1997

Gross USA:

$50,159,144

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$50,159,144

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dino De Laurentiis Company, Paramount Pictures, Spelling Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kim Robillard and Rex Linn also starred together a few years earlier in Cliffhanger with Sylvester Stallone. Stallone also starred alongside Kurt in Tango and Cash, making all four of them costars.

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Goofs

When the Sheriff 'questions' Kurt Russell on the road after pulling him over in the F150 pickup, the boom microphone is clearly visible, as it's attached to the back of the pickup.

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Quotes

Sheriff Boyd: Mr. Taylor, did you, uh, by any chance, have a beef with your wife today?
Jeff: What has that got to do with anything!
Sheriff Boyd: Well, for starters, maybe there's a possibility that she could have left you.
Jeff: I don't - I don't believe this! My wife did not leave me!
Sheriff Boyd: Mr Taylor, I've seen it a hundred times. You put two people in a car long enough, they're gonna go at it. Lovers, married couples, gay guys- hell, I've seen men dump their women on the side of the road and vice versa.

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Alternate Versions

German version was edited to remove sight of Kathleen Quinlan moving the gearshift of the pickup-truck (so it looks like Red Barr's truck falls down by itself).

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Kurt Russell Performances (2016)

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Soundtracks

This Game Of Love
(1997)
Lyric by Jonathan Mostow and Rachel Lipman
Music by Jeffrey Pescetto
Performed by Robbyn Kirmsse
Produced by Jeffrey Pescetto

User Reviews

Kurt Russell at his best

Every time Kurt Russell is in something you can always rely on a solid film. And once again in Breakdown you will not be disappointed. A solid cast with great directing makes this a must see. A great thriller that keeps you second guessing until the end which I love. Russell always puts in the full 100 percent and it shows here again. Why can't actors do what he does like this anymore. Good performances all around make this a tight entertaining watch that you will feel you have not wasted your almost 2 hours. A fast paced thriller that hits the mark at every turn. See this one and you will see how the 90s had great suspenseful films lacking today.