“I feel the need... the need for speed!”
When Tony Scott, younger-brother to director Ridley Scott, signed on to direct a film about egotistical fighter pilots training at a distinguished military school, nobody suspected the film to have any real, lasting impact. In early pre-production stages, multiple screenwriters passed on the chance to develop the idea, based on a short magazine article. Later in the development process, directors John Carpenter and David Cronenberg turned down an offer to direct. “Top Gun” was written off as a flop even before it went into production.
The careers of relative newcomers Tom Cruise, known at this point for his stand-out performance in 1983's “Risky Business”, and Val Kilmer, forced into starring by a contractual obligation, were riding on the financial and critical success of the $15 million production. However, with sophomore director Tony Scott being fired three times during filming and stunt-pilot Art Scholl dying after a fatal accident on set, the prospects were not looking good.
So, when the film was released on May 16th 1986, it's immediate good reception came as a surprise to everyone involved. Tom Cruise firmly established himself as the charismatic leading man actor he is today and Tony Scott went on to direct such classics as “Man on Fire”, “True Romance” and “Enemy of the State”.
When Tony Scott, younger-brother to director Ridley Scott, signed on to direct a film about egotistical fighter pilots training at a distinguished military school, nobody suspected the film to have any real, lasting impact. In early pre-production stages, multiple screenwriters passed on the chance to develop the idea, based on a short magazine article. Later in the development process, directors John Carpenter and David Cronenberg turned down an offer to direct. “Top Gun” was written off as a flop even before it went into production.
The careers of relative newcomers Tom Cruise, known at this point for his stand-out performance in 1983's “Risky Business”, and Val Kilmer, forced into starring by a contractual obligation, were riding on the financial and critical success of the $15 million production. However, with sophomore director Tony Scott being fired three times during filming and stunt-pilot Art Scholl dying after a fatal accident on set, the prospects were not looking good.
So, when the film was released on May 16th 1986, it's immediate good reception came as a surprise to everyone involved. Tom Cruise firmly established himself as the charismatic leading man actor he is today and Tony Scott went on to direct such classics as “Man on Fire”, “True Romance” and “Enemy of the State”.
Let's get this out of the way: Obviously, looking at “Top Gun” now, the first thing you notice are the blatant homoerotic tensions throughout the film. The film is very much a product of the camp 80's and co-stars Cruise and Kilmer do share a great number of lingering looks. Also, there is a lot of talk about “busting asses” and “wanting somebody's butt”. Quentin Tarantino puts it best here:
On a more serious note though, the 80's style and aesthetic lends itself perfectly to the core theme and message of the story. “Top Gun” is light entertainment, easy to watch and relate to, and because of it's naivety and innocence it could only properly exist in the small timeframe during which it was released. In this enviroment, Tony Scott's romanticised visual style and Tom Cruise's charismatic performance thrive and combine to form an undeniably inspirational film.
It is the perfect film to remember Tony Scott by, as it is his most up-beat, optimistic and arguably heartfelt work.
By Movie Parliament Minister of History,
Leonhard Balk
It is the perfect film to remember Tony Scott by, as it is his most up-beat, optimistic and arguably heartfelt work.
By Movie Parliament Minister of History,
Leonhard Balk
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