A sheriff and his inexperienced staff are the only thing standing in the drug cartel leader’s way as he breaks out of a courthouse and races toward the Mexican border.

Storyline

Sheriff Owens is a man who has resigned himself to a life of fighting what little crime takes place in sleepy border town Sommerton Junction after leaving his LAPD post following a bungled operation that left him wracked with failure and defeat after his partner was crippled. After a spectacular escape from an FBI prisoner convoy, the most notorious, wanted drug kingpin in the hemisphere is hurtling toward the border at 200 mph in a specially outfitted car with a hostage and a fierce army of gang members. He is headed, it turns out, straight for Summerton Junction, where the whole of U.S. law enforcement will have their last opportunity to make a stand and intercept him before he slips across the border forever. At first reluctant to become involved, and then counted out because of the perceived ineptitude of his small town force, Owens ultimately accepts responsibility for the face off

Did you know

• TriviaDuring filming, Arnold Schwarzenegger was seen purchasing clothes at Walmart. They were for the film’s crew, as it was freezing during the night-time scenes in the desert.

• GoofsWhen the electromagnet picks up the car, the guard’s gun is magnetized and flies up to the ceiling, but Gabriel Cortez’ shackles and chains are not affected by the magnet at all.

• QuotesDiner Regular: You’re talking to a 72 year-old man with high cholesterol, eating a bacon and cheddar omelet with extra cheddar. Do I look like I’m afraid of death?

• Alternate versionsGerman theatrical version was cut by ca. 22 seconds to secure a more commercial “Not under 16” rating. After fan protests, the distributor made the uncut version available to theaters as well. Both versions were released on DVD.

• ConnectionsFeatured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #21.65 (2013)