Force SVN update / checkout to overwrite local files

Would clicking the directory and Reverting it to the base then updating have the same effect?

If you don't have --force option i think you do not have either the --accept. The svn update have a new option called --accept to "specify automatic conflict resolution action". It could be: postopone, mine-conflict, theirs-conflict, edit, launch, theirs-full, mine-full or base.

An svn help update will help!

You should ask Subversion to update your working copy. If merges are necessary, Subversion will tell you. If not, you'll have the latest of everything else.

I think a better solution is to merge your code into Subversion, completely blow away your working copy, and then checking out clean from the project.

Your repository should contain all meaningful code, not your working copy.