Taps (1981)

Military cadets take extreme measures to ensure the future of their academy when its existence is threatened by local condo developers.

Director:

Harold Becker

Writers:

Darryl Ponicsan (screenplay), Robert Mark Kamen (screenplay)

Stars:

George C. Scott, Timothy Hutton, Ronny Cox

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George C. Scott	...	General Harlan Bache
Timothy Hutton	...	Brian Moreland
Ronny Cox	...	Colonel Kerby
Sean Penn	...	Alex Dwyer
Tom Cruise	...	David Shawn
Brendan Ward	...	Charlie Auden
Evan Handler	...	Edward West
John P. Navin Jr.	...	Derek Mellott
Billy Van Zandt	...	Bug
Giancarlo Esposito	...	J.C. Pierce
Donald Kimmel	...	Billy Harris
Tim Wahrer	...	John Cooper
Tim Riley	...	Hulk
Jeff Rochlin	...	Shovel
Rusty Jacobs	...	Rusty

Storyline

An announcement that the venerable Bunker Hill Military Academy, a 141 year old institute, is to be torn down and replaced with condos sets off the young cadets led by their stodgy commander. Under the command of a student cadet major, the cadets seize the campus, refuse entry of the construction crews and ultimately confront the real military.

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Plot Keywords:

student | military academy | military training | military | school shooting | 

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Taglines:

School's out

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

In an early scene when the officer cadets have a meeting, a copy of the book "Patton" can be seen on a desk. George C. Scott previously played Patton.

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Goofs

At the very start of the film, during the chapel service, there is a scripture reading. It comes from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians (Ch 13, vs 1-13) and the reader ends with "Ands now faith, hope and love abide, these three, and the greatest of these is HOPE. Every translation in print reads "..and the greatest of these is LOVE.

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Quotes

Brian Moreland: Sir, how could they do this?
General Harlan Bache: With the stroke of a pen, sir. Their field of honor was a desktop.

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Connections

Features M*A*S*H (1972)

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Soundtracks

Light My Fire
Written by Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore and Jim Morrison (as The Doors)
Performed by The Doors

User Reviews

War games

"Taps" presents a twist in the way students in a military academy of certain reputation perceive how honor is, above all, the thing to live for, even over all other qualities a man could possess. The teachings of this military institution, molding young men 12 to 18 years old, have a profound effect, especially in the intense Brian Moreland, who is a clear favorite of the academy director, General Bache.

Harold Becker directed "Taps", which is based on a novel by Devery Freeman. The action of the film takes place in the fictional Bunker Hill Military Academy, that has just been sold to private investors who want transform the site into condominiums.

With a history of having molded young minds during its distinguished history, Gen. Bache is horrified by the mere thought of losing the academy and the young people he has helped to involve in the rich life of the military. After a tragic incident that involves the killing of a townie, Bache suffers a heart attack, leaving the academy in the hands of people that are seen trying to undermine the fallen leader.

Brian Moreland, the serious minded young man, takes it into his own hands to take care of what he thinks would be Gen. Bache's reaction in saving the school by getting the rest of the students left at the academy to hold it hostage and not give in to the upcoming changes, or to other people who don't have the same purpose in mind.

Timothy Hutton is about the best thing going for the film. This young actor brought the right amount of seriousness, courage and valor to the role. This film is basically the big screen debut for Sean Penn and Tom Cruise, who went to build spectacular careers of their own. George C. Scott, another excellent actor is seen as Gen. Bache, but unfortunately, he doesn't have much to do and only appears in the opening sequences. Other familiar faces in the cast, Billy Van Zandt, Giancarlo Esposito.

"Taps" is a film that shows how some young minds will act when they follow to the letter things they have learned in theory in the classroom. It also recognizes how honor could get a well meaning person to do things that he will regret later on and how it can cause harm to innocent young men that go along with these new leaders.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Taps

Filming Locations:

N. Wayne Ave, Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$93,005, 13 December 1981

Gross USA:

$35,856,053

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$35,856,053

Company Credits

Production Co:

Major Studio Partners, Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1