# S.W.A.T.

> 2003 film directed by Clark Johnson

**Wikidata**: [Q678775](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q678775)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.W.A.T._(2003_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/s-w-a-t-q678775

## Summary
S.W.A.T. is a 2003 action thriller film directed by Clark Johnson, based on the 1975 television series of the same name. The movie follows an LAPD SWAT team as they attempt to transport an international criminal who has offered a $100 million reward for his release.

## Key Facts
- Released on August 8, 2003, in the United States
- Directed by Clark Johnson, marking his feature film directorial debut
- Produced by Neal H. Moritz and Dan Halsted
- Written by David Ayer and David McKenna
- Stars Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodriguez, and LL Cool J
- Budget of $80 million with worldwide box office gross of $207.7 million
- Runtime of 117 minutes
- Distributed by Columbia Pictures
- Rated PG-13 for violence, language, and sexual references
- Followed by a direct-to-video sequel "S.W.A.T.: Firefight" in 2011
- Based on the 1975 television series created by Robert Hamner and Rick Husky

## FAQs
What is the plot of S.W.A.T.?
The film follows Jim Street (Colin Farrell), a former Navy SEAL and LAPD officer who joins an elite SWAT team led by Sergeant Hondo Harrelson (Samuel L. Jackson). They must transport French drug lord Alex Montel (Olivier Martinez) to federal prison while facing numerous attempts to free him for a $100 million reward.

Who are the main cast members?
The main cast includes Samuel L. Jackson as Sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson, Colin Farrell as Officer Jim Street, Michelle Rodriguez as Officer Chris Sanchez, LL Cool J as Officer Deacon "Deke" Kaye, and Olivier Martinez as Alex Montel.

Is S.W.A.T. connected to the original TV series?
Yes, the 2003 film is a reboot of the 1975 television series "S.W.A.T." created by Robert Hamner and Rick Husky. While it shares the same premise and some character names, the film features an entirely new storyline and cast.

What genre is S.W.A.T.?
S.W.A.T. is primarily an action thriller film with elements of crime drama and police procedural. It features intense action sequences, tactical operations, and character-driven storytelling typical of the genre.

## Why It Matters
S.W.A.T. represents a significant entry in the action thriller genre of the early 2000s, successfully rebooting a classic television property for modern audiences. The film's commercial success ($207.7 million worldwide) demonstrated the viability of adapting vintage TV shows into major motion pictures, influencing Hollywood's approach to franchise development. Its portrayal of tactical law enforcement operations, while dramatized, brought attention to the specialized skills and equipment of real SWAT teams. The movie also marked an important career milestone for director Clark Johnson, transitioning from television directing to feature films, and showcased the drawing power of its ensemble cast, particularly Samuel L. Jackson's commanding presence as the team leader.

## Notable For
- Successfully rebooting a 1970s television series for contemporary audiences
- Featuring one of the first major action roles for Michelle Rodriguez
- Incorporating realistic tactical training and equipment for authenticity
- Achieving significant box office success despite mixed critical reviews
- Launching a direct-to-video franchise with "S.W.A.T.: Firefight" (2011)
- Featuring a diverse ensemble cast in leading roles
- Including extensive practical effects and stunt work rather than relying heavily on CGI

## Body
### Production and Development
S.W.A.T. was developed as a feature film adaptation of the 1975 television series created by Robert Hamner and Rick Husky. The project was initiated by Neal H. Moritz's Original Film production company, with Columbia Pictures serving as distributor. David Ayer and David McKenna were brought on to write the screenplay, crafting a new storyline that would appeal to modern audiences while maintaining the core concept of an elite tactical police unit. Clark Johnson, primarily known for his television directing work on shows like "The Shield" and "The Wire," was selected to direct his first feature film.

### Casting and Characters
The film assembled a notable ensemble cast led by Samuel L. Jackson as Sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson, a role originated by Steve Forrest in the television series. Colin Farrell was cast as Jim Street, Michelle Rodriguez as Chris Sanchez, and LL Cool J as Deacon "Deke" Kaye. Olivier Martinez portrayed the primary antagonist, Alex Montel. The casting choices reflected a deliberate effort to create a diverse team that would resonate with contemporary audiences while maintaining the camaraderie and tension dynamics of the original series.

### Filming and Technical Aspects
Principal photography took place in various locations around Los Angeles, utilizing the city's diverse urban landscape to create authentic tactical scenarios. The production employed extensive practical effects and stunt work, with the cast undergoing rigorous tactical training to portray their roles convincingly. The film's action sequences, including helicopter insertions, high-speed pursuits, and breaching operations, were designed to showcase the specialized capabilities of SWAT teams while maintaining a sense of realism within the action genre framework.

### Reception and Legacy
Upon its release on August 8, 2003, S.W.A.T. received mixed reviews from critics but achieved significant commercial success, grossing $207.7 million worldwide against an $80 million budget. The film's performance validated the strategy of rebooting vintage television properties for theatrical release, influencing subsequent adaptations of classic TV shows. Despite the mixed critical reception, the movie developed a following among action film enthusiasts and spawned a direct-to-video sequel, "S.W.A.T.: Firefight," in 2011, extending the franchise's reach beyond its theatrical debut.

### Cultural Impact
S.W.A.T. contributed to the early 2000s trend of reimagining classic television properties as big-budget action films. Its success helped establish a template for balancing nostalgia with modernization in franchise reboots. The film also played a role in elevating the profiles of several cast members, particularly Michelle Rodriguez, who was beginning to establish herself as a prominent action star. The movie's portrayal of tactical law enforcement operations, while dramatized, increased public awareness of SWAT team capabilities and procedures, though it also contributed to certain misconceptions about the frequency and nature of such operations in real-world policing.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.cinemarx.ro/filme/S-W-A-T-S-W-A-T-Trupe-de-Elita-141.html)
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/swat-jednostka-specjalna)
3. [Source](http://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/1963/S.W.A.T.-(2003).html)
4. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0257076/)
5. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/swat)
6. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0257076/fullcredits)
7. The Movie Database
8. S.W.A.T.. Rotten Tomatoes
9. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0257076/releaseinfo)
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Box Office Mojo
12. Kinopoisk
13. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/s-w-a-t/)
14. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
15. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=41239.html)
16. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
17. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/108854)
18. Cineplex
19. Bechdel Test Movie List
20. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/7C48-3986-8C8D-351C-79E7-O)
21. Danish Film Database
22. TheTVDB
23. Trakt.tv
24. FilmVandaag.nl