Flight of the Intruder (1991)

During the air war over Vietnam, a U.S. Navy A-6 Intruder bomber pilot schemes with a hardened veteran to make an unauthorized air strike on Hanoi.

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	...	Commander Frank Camparelli
Willem Dafoe	...	Lt. Cmdr. Virgil Cole
Brad Johnson	...	Lt. Jake' Cool Hand' Grafton
Rosanna Arquette	...	Callie
Tom Sizemore	...	Boxman
J. Kenneth Campbell	...	Lt. Cmdr. 'Cowboy' Parker
Jared Chandler	...	Lt. J.G. Jack 'Razor' Barlow
Dann Florek	...	Mad Jack
Madison Mason	...	'Cag'
Ving Rhames	...	McRae
Christopher Rich	...	Lt. J.G. Morgan McPherson
Douglas Roberts	...	Guffy
Scott N. Stevens	...	Hardesty (as Scott Newton Stevens)
Justin Williams	...	Sammy
John Corbett	...	Big Augie

Storyline

After his bombardier is killed, Jake "Cool Hand" Grafton (Brad Johnson)', 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.

---

Plot Keywords:

pilot | bomber | bombing run | vietnam war | navy | 

---

Taglines:

The only thing they can count on is each other.

---

Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller | War

---

Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 January 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Apostoli thanatou

Filming Locations:

Harbor Star Stage, San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,725,133, 21 January 1991, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$14,587,732

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Milius stated that making this film was one of the worst experiences he had.

---

Goofs

Two Perry class frigates are pier side in the background of a scene. These ships were not built until after the war was over.

---

Quotes

Lt. Cmdr. Mad Jack: [Lt. Cmdr. Mad Jack, "Doc," is flying to Subic Bay with Lt. Sammy Lundeen, and receives instructions from a crew member on ejection] Do I say roger or... just do it or what?
Lt. Sammy Lundeen: You even say "huh," you'll be talking to yourself... 'cause I'll be gone."

---

Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Worst Films of 1990 (1991)

---

Soundtracks

Rockin' Pneumonia and The Boogie Woogie Flu
by Huey P. Smith
Performed by Johnny Rivers
Courtesy of EMI, a division of Capitol Records, Inc.
By arrangement with CEMA Special Markets

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.