Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A high-tech motorcycle racer accidentally rides into a time machine and ends up in the Old West, where people think his dirt bike is the devil, and honestly, he’s just mostly confused about it all.

🍿 Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Unforeseen Detour Through Time

Champion motocross racer Lyle Swann is competing in the Baja 1000 desert race. Known for his high-tech modifications, he accidentally goes far off course, venturing into a remote, secret government test site. Unbeknownst to Swann, the site is conducting a time travel experiment involving ‘maser velocity acceleration’. He rides directly through the active energy field, unintentionally becoming the new subject of the experiment and is catapulted back in time.

Landing in the Old West

Lyle Swann lands in the year 1877, still in the rugged Mexican desert, completely unaware he has traveled over a century into the past. His bright red racing suit and high-tech motorcycle immediately cause confusion and fear among the locals. Encountering a gang of outlaws led by Porter Reese, Swann’s ‘machine’ becomes an object of intense desire for the bandits. His futuristic gear and bike lead many to believe he is ‘El Diablo’, the devil.

Stranded and Pursued

Seeking refuge, Swann arrives in a small, isolated village. While many residents are terrified, he finds allies in the local priest and a feisty woman named Claire Cygne. Caught between the fearful villagers, the determined outlaws wanting his motorcycle, and eventually federal marshals, Swann must navigate the dangers of the Old West using his wits and what’s left of his futuristic technology, all while trying to understand his bizarre circumstances.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lyle Swann (Fred Ward): A modern motorcycle racer who is accidentally sent back 100 years by a time travel experiment.
• Porter Reese (Richard Masur): A ruthless bandit leader in the Old West who becomes obsessed with Lyle and his futuristic motorcycle.
• Claire Cygne (Belinda Bauer): A kind and independent woman in the past who helps Lyle and becomes his love interest.
• Dr. Daniel Circle (Ed Lauter): A brilliant scientist responsible for the time travel technology that accidentally sends Lyle to the past.
• Claude Dorsett (Peter Coyote): An official involved in the time travel project trying to locate Lyle and understand the anomaly.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lyle Swann: “Where’s my bike?!?” – Lyle says this repeatedly, often after being separated from his motorcycle, highlighting his singular focus and initial inability to grasp his situation.
• Porter Reese: “You shot it. What a bunch of dumb sons of bitches, you *shot* it! A *machine* – you butt-heads!” – Porter Reese yells this in frustration and disbelief when his gang shoots Lyle’s motorcycle instead of disabling it properly, demonstrating his obsession with the machine.
• Lyle Swann: “Found it at an EXXON station.” – Lyle gives this anachronistic explanation when asked where he got a modern map, further emphasizing his disorientation and the vast time difference.
• Claude Dorsett: “Did you see that machine spit at me?” – One of the outlaws exclaims this after the motorcycle backfires at him, showcasing the fear and confusion the 19th-century characters have regarding the modern technology.
• Porter Reese: “If General Lee had that machine, we would have won the war.” – Porter Reese, seemingly a Confederate veteran, makes this comment, underscoring the perceived power and alien nature of the motorcycle from his historical perspective.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so Timerider isn’t some big-budget epic, but man, is it fun! I first saw this way back and that image of Fred Ward in his bright red suit on the motorcycle against the dusty Western backdrop just stuck with me. It’s got that perfect B-movie charm. Yeah, Lyle Swann takes way too long to figure out he’s gone back in time, which is kinda frustrating but also weirdly believable in a ‘lost in the desert’ kind of way. Seeing the bad guys try to figure out the motorcycle is hilarious, and Peter Coyote is fantastic as the slimy outlaw leader. The time paradox bit at the end is a classic touch and definitely left me thinking about it for a while. Plus, Belinda Bauer is awesome as Claire, she’s tough and not just a damsel. It’s just a cool, low-stakes adventure that’s great for a rainy day or when you’re feeling nostalgic for weird 80s flicks.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic 1980s B-movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy unique sci-fi concepts”
  • “Western film enthusiasts looking for a twist”
  • “Cult film aficionados”
  • “Fans of actor Fred Ward”
  • “Motorcycle enthusiasts”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence (gunfights, physical altercations)”
  • “Profanity”
  • “Brief mild sexual content”
  • “Depiction of historical attitudes/violence common in Westerns”

Professional Reviews

• Inspired by user reviews: “Timerider is a quirky, low-budget genre mashup that blends sci-fi time travel with a Western setting. While the plot has its flaws, particularly the protagonist’s slow grasp of the situation, the film benefits from a charming Fred Ward and a memorable supporting cast, especially Peter Coyote as the villain. Michael Nesmith’s distinctive score adds a unique, energetic layer.
• Inspired by user reviews: “More entertaining than its limited budget might suggest, Timerider leans into its absurd premise with gusto. The reactions of 1870s characters to Lyle Swann’s modern gear and motorcycle provide solid comedic moments. Though character development is minimal and the pacing occasionally drags, the film’s heart and unusual concept make it a watchable cult curiosity.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved seeing the reactions of the 1877 characters to the modern motorcycle and gear.: Many appreciate the unique premise and the blend of sci-fi and Western genres. Fred Ward and the supporting cast, especially Peter Coyote, are often singled out for their performances. Michael Nesmith’s soundtrack is frequently mentioned as a highlight. The film holds nostalgic value for those who saw it on cable TV in the 80s.

The time travel paradox involving the pendant at the end is a memorable, thought-provoking moment.: Fans enjoy the film’s B-movie quality, its sense of adventure, and its willingness to embrace its quirky concept. Despite plot holes and inconsistencies, the overall experience is often described as entertaining and fun.

Overall Consensus: A beloved cult classic for many, Timerider is a charmingly flawed but fun mashup of Western and sci-fi genres, elevated by its unique premise, enjoyable performances, and distinctive soundtrack.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Michael Nesmith, a former member of the band The Monkees, was heavily involved in the film, serving as co-producer, co-writer, and composer of the unique synth-rock score.”
• “Filming took place at Old Tucson Studios in Arizona, a famous location used for many Western movies and TV shows.”
• “The movie shares a coincidental time travel arrival date (November 5th, 1877) with other notable time travel films like Back to the Future (November 5th, 1955) and Time After Time (November 5th, 1979).”
• “There are different versions of the death scene for the villain Porter Reese, with some releases featuring a more graphic shot of his fate involving a helicopter tail rotor than others.”
• “The high-tech gadgetry on Lyle Swann’s motorcycle includes a helmet with an early form of a heads-up display.”
• “The time travel effect is described as using ‘maser velocity acceleration’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann?

Finding ‘Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann’ can be a bit tricky as it’s an older cult film. It is not typically available on major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Max for subscription viewing. Your best bet for watching the movie is often through digital rental or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Vudu. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray can also sometimes be found for sale online via retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann, you might like these similar films:

• Back to the Future (1985): An iconic time travel adventure where a modern protagonist is transported to the past, dealing with culture shock and the challenges of fitting in while trying to get back home.
• Timestalkers (1987): A TV movie from the same era that also blends science fiction time travel with a Western setting, featuring a group from the future interacting with the Old West.
• Repo Man (1984): Another quirky, low-budget cult sci-fi film from the 1980s starring Fred Ward, known for its unique tone, offbeat humor, and unconventional premise.
• Mad Max (1979): Features a protagonist navigating a lawless, post-apocalyptic landscape where vehicles are crucial for survival against violent outlaw gangs, echoing the theme of survival against bandits with a valued machine.
• Tremors (1990): Stars Fred Ward in another beloved cult classic that successfully blends genres (monster movie, comedy, Western elements) with a similar feel of resourceful characters battling an unexpected threat in a remote setting.

🛒 Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann Related Products

• Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann Blu-ray: Experience this cult favorite in high definition, often featuring bonus content like director commentary and original trailers, preserving alternate versions.
• Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann Original Soundtrack Album: The full score by Michael Nesmith, blending rock, synth, and atmospheric Western sounds, capturing the unique tone of the film.
• Timerider Movie Poster Print: A reproduction of the iconic theatrical poster featuring Lyle Swann on his motorcycle pursued by cowboys, a classic image of the film’s concept.
• Yamaha XT500 Die-Cast Motorcycle Model: A detailed scale model of the motorcycle similar to Lyle Swann’s ‘machine’ that causes so much fascination (and trouble) in the Old West.

🎧 Soundtrack

Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)” – performed by Michael Nesmith
• “Specific track titles often reflect the film’s blend of rock, synth, and Western themes.” – performed by Michael Nesmith

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Bad Movie Review: Space Mutiny

If you thought the MST3K version was wild, wait ’til you hear this review break down *all* the hilarious flaws of Space Mutiny. Seriously, this movie is a goldmine for bad movie lovers!

✨ Rate