Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann (1982)

Director:

William Dear

Writers:

William Dear (written by)
Michael Nesmith (written by)

Release Date:

11 December 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi | Western

Tagline:

Lyle Swann is a champion off-road racer. But to the people of 1877, he's something very, very different...

Plot:

Lyle, a motorcycle champion is traveling the Mexican desert, when he find himself in the action radius of a time machine...

Plot Keywords:

Experiment | Man Forced To Strip | Time Travel | Cult Western | Motorcycle

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Fred Ward	...	Lyle Swann
Belinda Bauer	...	Claire Cygne
Peter Coyote	...	Porter Reese
Richard Masur	...	Claude Dorsett
Tracey Walter	...	Carl Dorsett
Ed Lauter	...	Padre
L.Q. Jones	...	Ben Potter
Chris Mulkey	...	Daniels
Macon McCalman	...	Dr. Sam
Jonathan Bahnks	...	Jesse
Laurie O'Brien	...	Terry
Susan Dear	...	2nd Technician
Bruce Gordon	...	Earl
Ben Zeller	...	Jack Peoples
William Dear	...	3rd Technician

Also Known As:

Timerider (USA) (short title)

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Germany:12 (TV rating) | Iceland:12 | Germany:16 (video rating) | USA:PG (No. 26726) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Abiquiu, New Mexico, USA

Company:

Zoomo Productions

Trivia:

Andrew Stevens was also seriously considered for the role of Lyle Swann.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Shortly after Lyle Swann lands in the Old West, he puts on his helmet and the camera crew is reflected in its side.

Quotes:

Porter Reese: You shot it. What a bunch of dumb sons of bitches, you *shot* it! A *machine* - you butt-heads!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Daymaker (2007)

Classic Fred Ward Adventure Flick

This film is a great example of what can be done with a low budget, decent story, and a great cast. The direction is broad, and at the same time both light-hearted and dark. I think it's a good example of balance in that regard. Please see my comments in the message board regarding the ending of the DVD version. I think you have to be able to remember back to the day - 1982 - to appreciate this movie. Superior low-budget time-loops starting with "The Terminator" were still 2 years away....