Breakdown

A fan favorite: suspense, action, thrills and revenge.Finally, a bluray of this underseen classic (the long out of print DVD cost a fortune). And what a bluray it is! It also was packaged with various "4 ACTION THRILLER!" sets.J.T. Walsh/Red Barr: “Now, before you get any half-baked ideas about calling in the cavalry, just remember we’re gonna be watching you every step of the way. And we’ll be listening to our police scanners. And if we see anything unusual, an unmarked car or truck, or if we see you talking to anyone who even remotely smells like a cop… well, you can just keep your F'ing money, Jeff, and I’ll keep your wife. And I’ll mail you pieces of her from time to time.”Released recently on Blu-ray for the first time on the Paramount Pictures imprint is the late 1990s thriller “Breakdown” (1997) featuring Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan as a terrorized husband and wife, that echoes Speilberg's “Duel” (1971) as well the 1980s “The Hitcher” (1986). There is also a dusting of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1974) and Wes Craven's "The Hills Have Eyes" (1977), if you're looking for it. As to the latter two fims: It is a favorite of Rob Zombie's. RZ also credits this film as an influence. But only as homage as “Breakdown” has not only an element of originality but an A list cast that breathe new life into this sub-genre.When “Breakdown” was produced in the late 1990s the idea of an adult thriller made on location with a modest budget was not out of the ordinary, indeed casting these movies with well known actors was also not unusual, which made them all the more enjoyable as these stars were normally acting against their own well crafted images, think Michael Keaton in the underrated “Pacific Heights” (1990), pre-punchline Nicolas Cage in the Barbet Schroeder helmed and Richard Price (The Wire, Sea of Love, The Color of Money) scripted "Kiss of Death (1995). Other "small" thrillers of the era include "Unlawful Entry" (also with Russell) and "Single White Female." Too many to name. And of course Kurt Russell in this terrific action/thriller.The other element was that they had some major creative force so in the aforementioned movies the directors were the legendary John Schlesinger and Wolfgang Peterson, in “Breakdown” there was a rising talent, Jonathan Mostow who had a singular creative vision that is apparent.“Breakdown” is based around Jeff Taylor and his wife Amy who are driving cross-country from Boston to San Diego in their new Jeep Grand Cherokee. Jeff narrowly avoids colliding with a beat-up truck. Later, at a gas station, Earl, the truck driver, confronts Jeff and they exchange hostile words. Shortly after the couple resume their journey, their car breaks down on a vacant road. Leaving Jeff with the Jeep, Amy accepts a ride from a passing big rig trucker to get to a nearby diner and call for help. Jeff eventually discovers that someone has tampered with the Jeep’s battery connections. After reconnecting them, he drives to the diner, only to discover that no one has seen Amy. When he sees the trucker on the road and forces him to stop, the trucker claims he has never seen Jeff or Amy. From here the movie shifts gears from low key drama to a ride through the southwest and the action steadily climbs to a tense stand-off which is handled extremely well.This was not writer/director Jonathan Mostow’s first movie, it was in fact his third but it was his introduction to studio, big budget, star powered movie making and he handles himself incredibly well with both the intimate dialogue scenes, the confrontational aspects of the movie and of course the action set pieces of which there are more than a few ranging from minor to the huge with a section on a bridge that heightens tension and brings “Breakdown” to its conclusion. In the intervening years Mostow has not risen to the heights that may have been on the horizon in the late 1990s but he has been behind some good and competent movies including a widely derided ‘Terminator’ sequel (part 3) and the popular World War II drama “U-571” (2000).This movie is led by the always charismatic and talented Kurt Russell (in mild-mannered "Unlawful Entry" mode) who is in fine form and at the height of his popularity, although I would argue he is a perennially popular actor who always shines onscreen - I e., his work with Quentin Tarantino. However the key ingredient is one of the truly great character actor J. T. Walsh who died not long after this movie was released with it being one of a handful of final performances. There are many character actors working but Walsh had a huge range and this shows in his career, in his many roles he had to share the screen with truly great leading actors but always managed to hold his own and add to any scene he was in. In fact I would go so far as to say he was the leading character actor in Hollywood up to his death and his loss was felt for years as he died young and prematurely. In this movie he has to play a variety of emotions all the while disguising his true intentions until the third act, which is something in itself.In the 1990s there was a thriving movie industry with many distinct tiers, what I mean by that is that there were movies budgeted at many levels from micro budgets to huge budgets and everything in between. What this meant was mid ranged movies could made and make a modest box office while having an extended life on video, later DVD. However that has all but disappeared with either low budgeted independent movies or huge blockbusters with anything in between all but disappearing which can be traced to the disappearance of a home video market and the rise of streaming. The direct result is that it is rare to have original plots, mid level budgets and new talents being seen in movies because that is not what drives mass audiences and creates perceived franchises.With the decline of true mass market physical media such as video and DVD (not forgetting blu-ray) it is surprising to see what is released on blu-ray especially in the relatively small physical media market. But there is a dirty little secret (to the public at large) in that physical media still has a place in that the quality from a Blu-ray Disc or even a 4K disc is overall better than any streaming service. This means that consumers will still spend money on a quality movie and a quality transfer and disc which is proven by the fact that a movie that made $50 million (U S.) at the box office is being given the treatment it deserves. I recommend this movie highly especially for those that are fans of Kurt Russell, an everyman thrust into a terrifying situation. It is also a quality movie that deserves a third (or more, I saw it in the theater, and several subsequent home viewings. I have yet to meet someone who is not a fan of this film) go around, it has aged remarkably well even with the jumps in technology.Great score by the prolific and legendary Basil Pouledourus (Conan the Barbarian, Robocop, The Hunt For Red October and many more).Excellent cinematography provided by Douglas Milsome, Stanley Kubrick's camera operator since the mid-70s: The sunbaked desert, empty roads, mountains and roadside truck stops never looked more beautiful - and foreboding.Special Features:1080p high definition presentation from a 4K scan by Paramount PicturesNEW Audio Commentary by Film Critic Peter Tonguette (2020)NEW “IT’S GONNA COST YOU: MAKING BREAKDOWN” – A new in-depth interview with writer/director Jonathan Mostow (2020)“THE TRAP IS SET: INSIDE THE STUNTS” – A new interview with stunt coordinator M. James Arnett (2020)“WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME: REMEMBERING BASIL POLEDOURIS” – A new interview with musician Eric Colvin about his time working with composer Basil Poledouris (2020)“Life is Jeep: Breakdown and the Psychology of the Road” A Visual Essay by Ian Mantgani (2020)NEW Interview with film Critic Tim Robey (2020)Theatrical TrailerDTS HD 5.1 surroundLPCM 2.0 StereoOptional English subtitlesTheatrical Trailer

Now I have a sayingIf something is going wrong and you just know it's going to go wrong the whole time. I'm calling "Red Jeep" on that.

When Hollywood made great movies. Unfortunately, the director's efforts to put you in the couple's seat hearing roaring engines, squealing tires, screeching metal, and the grill of a semi taking up your entire view as it barrels your way is lost on a small screen with regular sound. No fault of the movie, though.

Kurt Russell is pretty consistant in his performances. I like everything he does.

This film encompassed many of mydeepest fears from tractor trailers, heights, claustrophobia..you get the picture. Stuntmen earned their money in this one. Tremendous acting from a young Kurt Russell. The whole cast was superb. So well done. Haven't been on edge in a longtime with a movie. I missed this when it came out but will watch again when I need a shot of adrenaline.

One of the most action packed and scenic movies you will ever see. Unbelievable stunt work was involved in the making of this film. Much better than all this computer generated crap you see nowadays. You will not be disappointed!

The most satisfying ending I've seen in years. And in those last moments I'm chanting "They've got to do it, they've just got to do it- And they did it! Better than I could've imagined. Wow! It was an instant instant replay!

Edge of your seat kinda movie. Constantly makes you ak yourself what you would do in the same situation. Well done overall!

All a thriller should be, combining maximum adventure with maximum plausibility. Rises to a crescendo of excitement with superb action scenes. One of the best of the genre of honest decent folks being terrorised by the type of rednecks who vote for Donald Trump. It's up there with Deliverance. Superb.

I ordered a used DVD, when the seller checked it out it was found to be not good enough to be sent to me. The Seller tested another DVD and it was found to be a good quality disk. The seller sent it too me and I had no problems with the DVD. I thanked the Seller for his efforts in obtaining a better DVD. Cliff

Well this is such a great film,great plot and performances all round, it builds up and up on tension and suspense to a great climax. One criticism only and that is the quality of the dvd, and it now being 2019 where is the blu ray for this cracking good film! Disappointing!

What a great film, suspense, action and pure greatnessplotA american couple give up their lives to live in Calfornia. But on the trip their car breaks down and a nice trucker offers to take the wife to the nearest diner, to call the police. After she leaves with the trucker, Jeff the husband(Kurt Russell) finds that his car starts again but when he gets to the diner, he asks the owner and he replies to have not seen her and a truck never came and parked near the diner. It's then a uphill race for Jeff to find his wife before it's to late.....BRILLIANT

I like the opening titles & music. Nice set-up but the film does become increasingly predictable. Basically a modern variation on Spielberg`s superior Duel formula. Kurt Russell is worthy in `the good guy who`ll stop at nothing to get his wife back` role and J T Walsh is a typically solid bad guy but its nothing he hasn`t done before. Don`t expect too much but worth a watch.