23 years ago, S.W.A.T. made its return to the screen, relaunching an action franchise that had been largely forgotten since its original run as a TV series in 1975. The original show followed a specialized police force in California, tackling organized crime, terrorism and drug trafficking. But, despite its strong debut and ratings, the series was eventually canceled due to concerns over violence on television.
In 2003, S.W.A.T. was revived as a feature film. The film, starring Colin Farrell and Samuel L. Jackson, followed the same premise as the original series, with a S.W.A.T team facing off against the city’s biggest criminals. This relaunch set the stage for a television reboot in 2017. The new series, led by Shemar Moore, introduced the franchise to a younger, more diverse audience. But it was the 2003 film that brought the franchise back to life, with a focus on authenticity that set it apart as one of the top action films of its time.
S.W.A.T. Helped Relaunch a Forgotten Franchise
Image via Columbia Pictures
Directed by Clark Johnson, S.W.A.T. follows Jim Street (Colin Farrell), a disgraced officer who gets a second chance when Lt. Dan Harrelson (Samuel L. Jackson) is tasked with forming a new S.W.A.T team. Along with his new team, Street must prove his worth by catching criminal Alex Montel (Oliver Martinez), who offers a massive reward to anyone who helps him escape. But with Montel’s promise of a $100 million reward, the team’s loyalty is tested, and they find themselves torn between doing what's right and the temptation of wealth.
S.W.A.T. was both a reimagining and a renewal of a franchise that had been largely forgotten. The original series, released in 1975, starred Steve Forrest, Robert Urich, Rod Perry, Mark Shera, and James Coleman. Set in an unnamed California city, the show focused on high-action cases and was known for tackling serious topics, including drug use, terrorism, and organized crime, often with a realistic depiction of violence. However, this contributed to its eventual cancelation, as TV violence was coming under scrutiny at the time. Additionally, real-life S.W.A.T. teams criticized the show for its unrealistic portrayal of their work. Despite these issues, the first season garnered strong ratings and even led to a merchandise line. Unfortunately, a timeslot change and ongoing criticism led to the show's demise.
All S.W.A.T. Entries | |
|---|---|
Film/TV Show | Year |
S.W.A.T. (TV) | 1975 |
S.W.A.T. (Movie) | 2003 |
S.W.A.T. Firefight (Movie) | 2011 |
S.W.A.T. Under Siege (Movie) | 2017 |
S.W.A.T. (TV) | 2017 |
It stayed that way until 2003 when S.W.A.T. was revitalized as a feature film. The film brought a fresh perspective to the franchise, pairing the classic action with modern filmmaking. While the film’s success was significant, it also demonstrated how an older franchise could be brought back with both familiar action tropes and timely updates. S.W.A.T tapped into the early-2000s zeitgeist of big-budget action films, benefiting from the growing popularity of ensemble casts, grittiness and high-stakes tension.
This reintroduction also led to a series revival that expanded the franchise. When the S.W.A.T TV series debuted in 2017, it resonated with a new generation of viewers who valued both the heart-pounding action and the more character-driven approach to police procedurals. The show, led by Shemar Moore, further set the S.W.A.T. franchise’s place in pop culture, introducing modern-day issues and a more diverse cast to a beloved, action-packed franchise.
S.W.A.T Features a Stellar Cast
Image via Columbia Pictures
S.W.A.T. boasted a cast that was as much a draw as the action itself. Farrell, known at the time for films like Tigerland and Minority Report, brought his signature intensity to the role. And, while Street wasn’t a far stretch for the actor, S.W.A.T. began his transition into big-budget action, a genre he would continue to explore in films like Miami Vice and Phone Booth.
Cast of S.W.A.T. | |
|---|---|
Actor | Role |
Samuel L. Jackson | Dan "Hondo" Harrelson |
Colin Farrell | Jim Street |
Michelle Rodriguez | Christina Sanchez |
LL Cool J | Deacon Kaye |
Josh Charles | Travis Joseph McCabe |
Jeremy Renner | Brian Gamble |
Brian Van Holt | Michael Boxer |
Opposite Farrell was Jackson, who had already made a big name for himself in the action genre with films like Pulp Fiction, Die Hard with a Vengeance, and The Negotiator. The cast also included Michelle Rodriguez as Chris Sanchez, LL Cool J as Sergeant “Deacon” Kay and Olivier Martinez as Alex Montel. Rounding out the team was a supporting cast of familiar faces, including Josh Charles as Officer T.J. McCabe and Jeremy Renner as Officer Brian Gamble. Renner’s role was particularly notable, as it foreshadowed his future career trajectory in action films, including his iconic turns in the Mission: Impossible series and as Hawkeye in the Avengers franchise. While his role in S.W.A.T. was not as prominent, it still gave a glimpse of the actor’s ability to play action-oriented characters, and in many ways, his presence in the film was an early indicator of his later stardom.
The Action Behind the S.W.A.T. Is a Major Part of Its Appeal
Image via Columbia Pictures
In retrospect, Clark Johnson was the perfect fit for the project. Johnson's approach to the film was built on authenticity, not just in the characters' actions but in the equipment, tactics and procedures shown on screen. There was a deliberate effort to make the audience learn something about the real work of S.W.A.T. teams. Scenes were crafted to show the methods used by these specialized units in intense situations, from the careful planning of an operation to the precise execution of a mission. Even the film’s most daring moments were carefully thought out to remain plausible within the world they were creating.
Randy Walker, a retired L.A.P.D. S.W.A.T. veteran, acted as a technical advisor. His firsthand experience was invaluable in ensuring the S.W.A.T. tactics portrayed on screen were realistic. He taught the actors about the history of the S.W.A.T. division, the team’s tactics and the lingo used in real operations. The actors even went through boot camps where they learned to move in restrictive gear, including 30 pounds of armor. The actors were also trained in weaponry and shooting techniques, including using high-powered firearms like the 50-caliber sniper rifle.
Location also played a huge role in S.W.A.T’s realism. The film used 75 locations across Los Angeles. Production designer Mayne Berke’s approach was to use real locations and adjust them minimally to fit the needs of the script, avoiding artificial sets when possible. Gabriel Beristain, the film’s cinematographer, also used various techniques to enhance the realism of the scenes. For instance, the action was shot from two distinct perspectives: helicopter views for a broader scope and hand-held shots for closer, more personal action. The combination of these perspectives mimicked the real-world immediacy of S.W.A.T. operations.
In the 23 years since S.W.A.T. was brought back to the screen, the franchise has built a lasting legacy, evolving from a beloved TV series in the 1970s to a 2003 feature film, and later a 2017 TV reboot. The 2003 S.W.A.T. film stands as a testament to the power of realism in action cinema, with a strong focus on accuracy in every detail—from the tactics and gear to the real locations used in filming. This attention to detail, combined with a cast of rising and established stars, made the film a standout in the early 2000s action genre and sparked renewed interest in a franchise many had long forgotten.
