Flight of the Intruder (1991)

After his bombardier is killed, Jake Grafton, a carrier-based Intruder pilot, questions the purpose of Navy bombing missions. He finds an ally for his cynicism in Virgil Cole, a bombardier ... See full summary »

Director:

John Milius

Writers:

Stephen Coonts (novel), Robert Dillon (screenplay),

Stars:

Danny Glover, Willem Dafoe, Brad Johnson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Danny Glover	...	Cmdr. Frank 'Dooke' Camparelli
Willem Dafoe	...	Lt. Cmdr. Virgil 'Tiger' Cole
Brad Johnson	...	Lt. Jake 'Cool Hand' Grafton
Rosanna Arquette	...	Callie Joy
Tom Sizemore	...	Boxman
J. Kenneth Campbell	...	Lt. Cmdr. 'Cowboy' Parker
Jared Chandler	...	Lt. (j.g.) Jack 'Razor' Barlow
Dann Florek	...	Lt. Cmdr. Mad Jack / Doc
Madison Mason	...	C.A.G.
Ving Rhames	...	CPO Frank McRae
Christopher Rich	...	Lt. Morgan 'Morg' McPherson
Douglas Roberts	...	Guffy
Scott N. Stevens	...	Hardesty (as Scott Newton Stevens)
Justin Williams	...	Lt. Sammy Lundeen
John Corbett	...	Big Augie

Storyline

After his bombardier is killed, Jake Grafton, a carrier-based Intruder pilot, questions the purpose of Navy bombing missions. He finds an ally for his cynicism in Virgil Cole, a bombardier on his third tour of duty, and together they ponder the notion of one unsanctioned mission "downtown", to "Sam City" in North Vietnam.

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Plot Keywords:

bombardier | bombing | pilot | vietnam | squadron | 

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Taglines:

The only thing they can count on is each other.

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Genres:

Action | Romance | War

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 January 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le vol de l'intruder

Filming Locations:

Kaua'i, Hawaii, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$14,587,732 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Near the end of the film, the phonetic alphabet phrase "Alpha Mike Foxtrot" is spoken over the radio. This is an abbreviation for "Adios Motherfucker", which is said over the radio by downed aircrews, when they know death or capture is imminent.

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Goofs

The flight suits worn by several of the pilots had a cloth flap covering the pocket on the left arm. Flight suits were not made with these flaps until the mid 1980s.

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Quotes

[In the briefing room]
Cdr. Camparelli: "Movie officer, what's the film tonite?"
Pilot: "They Shoot horses, Don't They, Sir!"
Cdr. Camparelli: "Any skin?"
Pilot: "No Sir."
Cdr. Camparelli: "Cancel it!"

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Connections

References Cool Hand Luke (1967)

User Reviews

" Whatever happens, it's safe to say, your career in the Navy is over "

The War in Viet-Nam was a mess. For America it lasted better than ten years and left the bodies of over 58,000 plus dead scattered over the backwaters of the country and spilled over onto the shores of the U.S. Yes the war did in fact fracture this country and in many ways, left it wounded beyond repair. This movie called " The Flight of the Intruder " brings to light the skills, courage, and integrity of the Navy pilot. The story, one of many from that era, relates the decision of pilot Lt. Jake Grafton (Brad Johnson) and his bombardier Lt. Cmdr. Virgil Cole (Willem Dafoe) who implement a scheme to take the war to the enemy. By defying their main authority, they fly their single Intruder into North Viet-Nam and drop their bombs not on the dark jungles of that country but in the stock-pile area known as ' Sam City. " Upon their return, they are arrested and brought before the Naval Board of Inquiry. Their commanding Officer, Cmdr. Frank Camparelli (Danny Glover) warned both men not to get too involved with personal losses, now they both stand a good chance of going to prison. The film is an excellent tribute to the officers and men of the US Navy and with all the action and combat drama seen in the movie, there is little doubt this movie will become a war time Classic. ****