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

The scenes outside during the hearing in Subic Bay were actually shot at Naval Station Long Beach. USS Sides (FFG-14) can be clearly seen nested with other modern frigates. The benches were part of a small park for sailors to relax without leaving the base.

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Goofs

A Stevie Ray Vaughan song is playing during the bar fight. This film takes place in 1972 and Stevie Ray didn't record music until the eighties.

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Quotes

Cdr. Camparelli: [Grafton has just been shot down while trying to rescue Camparelli] You think this changes anything, you hoodlum? You disobeyed another order! I grounded you!
Lt. Jake Grafton: Hey, I AM on the ground!

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Once Around/Men of Respect/Flight of the Intruder/White Fang/Not Without My Daughter (1991)

User Reviews

This movie touch me in a way only a veteran could feel

When I saw this movie for the first time it seemed like Deja vu. the first part of the movie was like I was reliving a part of my life when I was aboard the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Saratoga (CV-60) in 1985. The ship in the movie was the U.S.S. Independence (CV-62) and it's the same ship in design as the Saratoga. When I was on that ship a pilot died suddenly when his A-7 exploded on approach and it was caused by a bomb arming and exploding on its own. We had an memorial service at the same place on the ship and it really blew my mind. From then on I have admired that movie and have watched it several times. To this day I get really choked up. Hey, it's not as well made as the Godfather but it isn't a bad movie either. But I feel it deserves better then a 5.3. Hey veterans out there, start voting.