Switchback (1997): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Switchback is a 1997 mystery thriller directed by Jeb Stuart, starring R. Lee Ermey as Sheriff Buck Olmstead, William Fichtner and Jared Leto. It runs 1 hour 58 minutes and earned $6.5 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 58m (118 min)
- Director
- Jeb Stuart
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Rysher Entertainment
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Switchback About?
The premise of Switchback without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After his son is kidnapped, FBI agent Frank Lacrosse tracks a serial killer to Amarillo, Texas, convinced the murderer is hiding there. Though officially removed from the case because of his personal stake, Frank persists, worrying local Sheriff Buck Olmstead. When another victim is found at a garage, Frank realizes he is close to catching the killer.
Switchback Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- african american
- framed for murder
- villain
- car accident
- fbi agent
- sheriff
- kidnapping
- hitchhiker
- snow
- train
- title spoken by character
- amarillo texas
+38 more Show fewer
- police chief
- police
- murder
- beating
- boy
- deception
- small town
- knife
- bar
- investigation
- map
- impalement
- train track
- mechanic
- chase
- neo noir
- psychopath
- storm
- hostage
- child kidnapping
- motel
- stolen car
- babysitter
- home invasion
- drifter
- stabbed in the leg
- psycho thriller
- father son reunion
- clue
- falling from a train
- texas
- scene of the crime
- serial murder
- female nudity
- female frontal nudity
- killer
- agent
- gore
Switchback Cast & Characters
R. Lee Ermey leads the cast as Sheriff Buck Olmstead, with William Fichtner as Chief Jack McGinnis and Jared Leto as Lane Dixon. Directed by Jeb Stuart; 56 actors are credited in all.
- Director Jeb Stuart
-
R. Lee Ermey as Sheriff Buck Olmstead -
William Fichtner as Chief Jack McGinnis -
Jared Leto as Lane Dixon -
Danny Glover as Bob Goodall
Also Starring in Switchback
· 52 more- Dennis Quaid FBI Special Agent Frank LaCrosse
- Ian Nelson Andy LaCrosse
- Sandy Ward Tex Monroe
- Walton Goggins Bud (Deputy)
- Ted Levine Deputy Nate Booker
- Robert Peters Colorado Trooper
- Gregory Scott Cummins Rick [Miner's Bar]
- Leo Burmester Clyde 'Shorty' Callahan
- Julio Oscar Mechoso Atty. Jorge Martinez
- Ted Markland Bartender
- Kevin Cooney FBI SAC Grant Montgomery
- Allison Smith Becky
- Brent Hinkley Man on Porch ('Tom Billingham')
- Christopher Michael Colorado Trooper
- Mark Curry Robby (Deputy)
- Merle Kennedy Betty (Store Clerk)
Show all 56 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Bill Rodgers Cook
- Paul Parducci Man in Shower
- Maggie Roswell Fae
- Pat Mahoney Highway Patrol Captain
- Wendelin Harston Sally
- Michael K. Osborn Deputy
- Ken Thorley Morgue Attendant
- Stuart Proud Eagle Grant Luke [Miner's Bar]
- Vern Porter Cubby [Bar]
- Ben Fuhrman Captain Heber
- Gary Giem Al [Motel]
- Joe Alfasa Small Mexican Man
- James Clark Engineer
- Dean Hallo SWAT Leader
- Robert L. Somers Rancher
- Leigh Reyburn Woman in Bar
- Tommy Puett Ben [Miner's Bar]
- Louis Schaefer Sim
- Orville Stoeber Hector Saldez
- Robert Himber Police Captain
- Gil Colon Deputy
- Donnie L. Betts Patrolman (John)
- Keith L. Hatten Brakeman Ray Calabrese
- Lois Hicks Ruth [Motel]
- Lionel Douglass Man in Shower
- Claudia Stedelin Babysitter (Missy)
- Lexie Stuart Rancher's Daughter
- Roy Yerbey Truck Driver
- Lori Creevay Waitress
- Stan Parks FBI Agent
- Martin David Boyd Hank [Bar]
- Kevin Bartlett Tate [Bar]
- Kristin McCloskey News Anchor
- Tricia Springer Reporter
- Silan Smith Engineer
- Cliff Fleming Helicopter Pilot
More from Jeb Stuart
One more film directed by Jeb Stuart: Blood Done Sign My Name.
Switchback Plot Summary
What happens in Switchback from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Late one night, a woman is killed while babysitting a young boy; the killer then kidnaps the boy. A few months later, a man and cleaning woman are killed at a motel in Amarillo, Texas. Amarillo’s sheriff Buck Olmstead, R. Lee Ermey, is up for reelection. Both he and his opponent, police chief Jack McGinnis, William Fichtner, strive to solve a sprawling murder case before election day. Meanwhile, hitchhiker Lane Dixon, Jared Leto, is picked up by Bob Goodall, Danny Glover, an affable drifter driving a white Cadillac Eldorado.
Full summary
The whole story of Switchback, scene by scene
Switchback Box Office
Switchback grossed $6.5 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$6.5M
- US & Canada
- $6.5M
Switchback Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Switchback.
How Well Do You Know Switchback?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays FBI special agent Frank LaCrosse?
Cars in Switchback
9 cars on screen, including the 1977 Cadillac Eldorado and the 1995 Ford Crown Victoria.
-
1977 Cadillac Eldorado Main role -
1995 Ford Crown Victoria Important role -
1995 GMC Jimmy Important role -
1993 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
Seen Switchback?
Movies Like Switchback
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Kill Switch, Backfire and Midnight in the Switchgrass.
Switchback FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Switchback, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Switchback?
Switchback runs 1 hour 58 minutes (118 minutes).
When was Switchback released?
Switchback was released on October 31, 1997.
Who directed Switchback?
Switchback was directed by Jeb Stuart.
More films by Jeb Stuart Who is in the cast of Switchback?
Switchback stars R. Lee Ermey as Sheriff Buck Olmstead, William Fichtner as Chief Jack McGinnis and Jared Leto as Lane Dixon, among 56 credited actors.
How much did Switchback make at the box office?
Switchback grossed $6.5 million worldwide.
Does Switchback have a post-credit scene?
No. Switchback has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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