Switchback (1997)

An FBI agent tries to catch a serial killer who kidnapped his son.

Director:

Jeb Stuart

Writer:

Jeb Stuart

Stars:

Danny Glover, Dennis Quaid, Claudia Stedelin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Claudia Stedelin	...	Babysitter
Ian Nelson	...	Andy LaCrosse
Brent Hinkley	...	Man on Porch
R. Lee Ermey	...	Sheriff Buck Olmstead
Walton Goggins	...	Bud (as Walt Goggins)
Ted Levine	...	Nate
Louis Schaefer	...	Sim
William Fichtner	...	McGinnis
Jared Leto	...	Lane Dixon
Robert L. Somers	...	Rancher
Lexie Stuart	...	Ranchers Daughter
Danny Glover	...	Bob Goodall
Ted Markland	...	Bartender
Gregory Scott Cummins	...	Rick
Tommy Puett	...	Ben

Storyline

F.B.I. agent Frank LaCrosse returns home to find his home has been broken into, his son is missing and Missy the babysitter is lying in a pool of her own insides. Her murder being the hallmarks of a elusive enigmatic serial killer whose slaughter spree...stretches nearly two years. Frank's desperate pursuit leads to Amarillo, Texas, where two more victims matching the killers M.O. have been found slashed to death. As Frank searches for his suspect the local Sheriff Buck Olmstead and his Deputy Nate Booker investigate the killings in-between a heated election feud, with his competition police chief Jack McGinnis. All the while drifting former doctor Lane Dixon is picked up by ex-railroad man, Bob Goodall. As a local Mechanic, Clyde 'Shorty' Callahan becomes the latest victim. Frank hopes and prays to find this sociopath before he disappears perhaps forever into the rocky mountains

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Plot Keywords:

african american | framed for murder | villain | car accident | fbi agent | 

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Taglines:

The hunter is tracking the killer. But the killer is setting the trap.

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and several views of nude pin-ups

Did You Know?

Trivia

Steven Seagal was considered for the role of Frank LaCrosse.

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Goofs

In 1997 the Colorado State Patrol used a new fleet of silver/blue Chevrolet Cameros, silver/blue Ford Explorers and silver/blue Ford Crown Victorias, not the white Fords that movie shows.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Missy, the Babysitter: Whoo! There. Your folks are going to be home soon, and they're going to get me if they see you're still up.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Red Corner/Critical Care/Switchback/Family Name (1997)

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Soundtracks

I Feel Alright
Written and Performed by Steve Earle
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By arrangment with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

A different kind of serial killer

Switchback was an enjoyable mystery/thriller with a few nice action sequences. Quaid's character seemed a bit cliche to me (like he was impersonating a dour Harrison Ford) but Glover's character was unique and interesting. This movie didn't have a lot of surprises or plot twists, but director Jeb Stuart managed to keep my interest high by using well drawn and likeable characters and by keeping a lot of balls in the air from the beginning of the movie. With the exception of the serial killer himself, the conflicting motivations of the characters played well with the story and provided plenty of tension. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of the serial killer himself. This is possibly the first movie I've seen where the killer had a human face and was not a psycho mastermind genius or a low-life loner with a chip the size of Manhattan on his shoulder.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 October 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Zig Zag

Filming Locations:

Redcliff, Colorado, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$37,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,704,568, 2 November 1997

Gross USA:

$6,492,660

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,492,660

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pacific Western, Paramount Pictures, Rysher Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1