Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann

Synopsis

Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann is a science fiction adventure film released in 1982. Directed by William Dear, the film features Fred Ward as Lyle Swann, a champion off-road motorcycle racer. During a risky race through the Baja desert, Lyle unwittingly rides through a time travel experiment and gets transported back to 1877 in the Wild West. Confused and unaware of his predicament, Swann soon finds himself entangled with a group of outlaws, led by Peter Coyote’s character, who are perplexed by his modern machinery. As Swann navigates this unfamiliar and perilous world, he must find a way to return to his own time, all while dodging danger and making surprising allies along the way. This unique blend of sci-fi and Western creates a distinctive and thrilling storyline that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.

Cast

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  Fred Ward

  Lyle Swann

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  Peter Coyote

  Porter Reese

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  L.Q. Jones

  Ben Potter

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  Tracey Walter

  Carl Dorsett

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  Richard Masur

  Claude Dorsett

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  Belinda Bauer

  Claire Cygne

Reviews

Reviews for Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann have been mixed, with some praising its originality and others critiquing its execution. On IMDb, the film holds a rating of 5.4/10, indicating a variety of viewer opinions. Roger Ebert from the Chicago Sun-Times gave the movie 2 out of 4 stars, noting, 'Timerider is a good idea for a movie that doesn't quite work.' He appreciated the film's adventurous premise but felt it was let down by its predictability and pacing. Similarly, Rotten Tomatoes reflects a divided perspective with some viewers enjoying its adventurous spirit and Fred Ward's performance, while others consider it lost potential. Critics have pointed out that although the film's concept of mixing time travel with a Western setting is intriguing, the execution sometimes falls flat with stereotypical characters and a simple plotline. On Metacritic, the film’s score is indicative of 'mixed or average reviews,' highlighting its loyal niche audience alongside those who expected more sophistication in its storytelling. Overall, Timerider’s charming uniqueness and genre-blending narrative have made it a memorable cult classic for some, despite its flaws.

See also

Inception

Interstellar

Pulp Fiction

The Shawshank Redemption