“Breaker! Breaker!” (1977) is an action film directed by Don Hulette, featuring Chuck Norris in his first leading role. The story follows J.D. Dawes (Norris), a truck driver from California, who learns that his younger brother, Billy, has disappeared after being deceived by a corrupt police force in a town called Texas City. J.D. sets out to find his brother and confronts the town’s corrupt officials, including Judge Joshua Trimmings and Sergeant Strode. The film features action sequences involving truck chases and fights, culminating in a showdown between J.D. and the corrupt authorities. “Breaker! Breaker!” was a box office success, grossing $12 million, but received generally negative reviews from critics.
The film begins with J.D. Dawes returning home to California after a long haul, only to find that his younger brother, Billy, has disappeared. Billy had been lured to Texas City by a deceptive police officer, Sergeant Strode, who pretended to be a fellow trucker. Upon arriving in Texas City, J.D. discovers that the town is under the control of a corrupt judge, Joshua Trimmings, who runs various rackets with the help of his enforcers, including Sergeant Strode. J.D. learns that his brother has been arrested and is being held in the town’s jail.
Determined to rescue his brother, J.D. confronts the corrupt officials, leading to a series of action-packed sequences. He befriends a waitress named Arlene, who provides him with information about the town’s operations. J.D. also encounters other truckers who have been victims of the town’s schemes. Together, they plan to take down Judge Trimmings and his corrupt regime.
The film culminates in a high-octane showdown where J.D. and his allies confront the corrupt officials. The truckers use their big rigs to disrupt the town’s operations, leading to a climactic battle that results in the downfall of Judge Trimmings and his enforcers. J.D. successfully rescues his brother, and the film ends with the town’s corrupt regime dismantled.
“Breaker! Breaker!” is notable for its portrayal of trucker culture and its action sequences involving big rigs. While it received negative reviews from critics, it has gained a cult following among fans of 1970s action films. The film’s success at the box office led to Chuck Norris securing more leading roles in subsequent films.