The Evolution of “S.W.A.T.”: From 1970s TV Show to 2003 Movie and 2017 TV Reboot

Since it hit screens in 2017, SWAT has proved popular with audiences thanks to its blend of high-stakes action and personal drama, yet the show shares a surprising connection with a largely forgotten 2003 Colin Farrell movie. TV shows and movies inspired by the police are nothing new. Every decade seemingly puts a new spin on the cop show formula, examining the concerns and critiques of the specific era. However, SWAT is a particularly interesting case study, as it owes its success to not just one, but two earlier projects.

The 2017 SWAT follows the adventures of Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (played by Shemar Moore), an ex-marine and loyal member of the LAPD. Incorporating a range of colorful side characters, the show chronicles the adventures of Hondo’s dedicated new “Special Weapons And Tactics” team as they face off against dangerous external adversaries and internal bureaucracy. Given that the show has been running for six seasons, there are understandably many unique and original plot developments and narratives. However, despite SWAT’s original spin, the show owes a debt to the 2003 Colin Farrell movie of the same name.

SWAT Is Based On The 1970s TV Show (And 2003 Movie)

Although there are many tonal differences, 2017’s SWAT is in fact based on both an original 1975 show and the 2003 cinematic reboot – without being a straightforward remake. On close examination, the similarities between the projects become obvious. For one thing “Hondo” Harrelson plays a key role in each, with the character played by Steve Forrest in the 1975 series and Samuel L. Jackson in the movie. Likewise, popular characters like Jim Street and “Deacon” Kaye also make prominent appearances. However, while both the 1975 show and 2003 movie were clear influences, it’s the film that played a greater role in the 2017 televised reboot.

Unlike the 1975 show, Hondo is played by a Black actor in both the 2003 SWAT movie and its follow-up. This is a significant change that makes for a more interesting and reflective political atmosphere – although SWAT 2017 is certainly more willing to engage in the complex politics of modern policing than the 2003 film. Likewise, some of the 2017 SWAT’s explosive action sequences are much more redolent of the fast-paced 2003 movie than its antecedent. These similarities all establish SWAT 2017 as part of a long legacy of SWAT projects, with the 2003 film as the most significant influence.

How SWAT Is Different From The Movie & Original TV Show

Even though SWAT 2017 reuses many of the same characters, there are a number of important differences between it and its forebears. For one thing, characters like Jeremy Renner’s Brian Gamble from the movie are entirely absent from the updated reboot, which focuses more on the individual members of the S.W.A.T team. Likewise, the characterization of key players like Hondo and Jim Street is very different in the 2017 version – in some ways symbolic of the way in which both television as a medium and attitudes to policing have shifted since the 70s. As such, while SWAT’s debt to its predecessors is undeniable, the show is unafraid to break new ground.

Since it hit screens in 2017, SWAT has proved popular with audiences thanks to its blend of high-stakes action and personal drama, yet the show shares a surprising connection with a largely forgotten 2003 Colin Farrell movie. TV shows and movies inspired by the police are nothing new. Every decade seemingly puts a new spin…