Switchback [DVD] [1997] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Switchback is an interesting and atmospheric thriller which centres around an FBI agent's attempts to find a serial killer who kidnapped his son. The search leads FBI man Frank LaCrosse (a dour and two-dimensional Dennis Quaid) to Amarillo, Texas, where he picks up the trail of two key suspects who are heading north towards the snowy mountains of Colorado.As LaCrosse closes in on them, the two suspects, hitchhiking junior doctor Lane Dixon (Jared Leto) and former railwayman Bob Goodhall (Danny Glover) get to know each other on their road trip through the spectacular winter scenery. From here, the film attempts to keep us guessing as to which one of them is the killer, and for a while, it works. But the big 'reveal' arrives too early, and both Leto and Glover are too likeable in their respective roles to be convincing as would-be serial killers.This could have turned the movie into a disaster. But the film is single-handedly saved by R. Lee Ermey's colourful and enigmatic turn as Texas Amarillo sheriff Buck Olmstead - the man who becomes invested in helping Frank LaCrosse. Many will remember R. Lee Ermey as the scenery-chewing drill sergeant in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, and even though his performance in this movie is very down-played by comparison, he still lights up every scene he is in. If Buck Olmstead had been the one looking for his son and the serial killer, and if the killer had been more mysterious and menacing, then this could have been a far superior movie.But Switchback is worth re-visiting even though it's not perfect. The film is beautifully shot with a real sense of place and a lived-in atmosphere that feels authentic. You'll want to have a beer with the friendly walk-on characters huddled together in bars and diners that are sprinkled throughout the movie, and R. Lee Ermey's outstanding performance will keep you entertained and invested throughout. These features make this movie a hidden gem that is definitely worth adding to your collection.

Great Film, one of my al time favourites and I have tried to purchase the DVD but it was only available on Amazon Prime.The Film had several clips that were distorted such as when a storm is interfering with TV reception.Therefore the quality was not as good as it should have been.John morton

I saw this film years ago, had it on VHS tape but got rid off it when dvd's came out. Nice to get hold of a copy again as I really enjoyed the film. The cover is in French but who care about that as long as it also plays in English. Good condition for a used copy & plays very well.

Liked all

Seen this many years ago and could never remember the name of it, finally found it and it is as good as it was the first time. It is an enjoyable watch and if you give it a chance you wont be disappointed, acting comes from Danny Glover and Dennis Quaid and both play their very different characters very well. Will be keeping its place on my dvd rack for years to come.

Great film well worth a watch

This is a fairly unknown thriller, but stars Denis Quaid, R. Lee Ermey and Danny Glover. Full of twists and turns, it's one of the best thrillers I have seen. The scenery, in North America on the Canadian border, is spectacular. A film you can watch time after time.

good movie