Taps

1981
PG
2h 6m

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

21K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer2:25

Psychological Drama Tragedy Drama

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

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

21K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

3,283

3,736

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination

Trivia
Prior to the production of the film, the key actors -Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, Tom Cruise and others - were required to participate in a 45-day-long period of orientation with the students of Valley Forge Military Academy. They were given uniforms, borrowed from their real life counterparts at the school and given authentic military haircuts. They slept in campus barracks and were subjected to the same rigors and hardship that all Valley Forge cadets went through. While most of the actors enjoyed and excelled at their orientation, Cruise opted to leave the training for the comforts of a nearby hotel until filming began.

Goofs
When the townie youth is shot, it is actually the youngster on the general's (George C. Scott's) back that is holding the gun, not the general, though everyone, including the general, indicates the general shot him. The gun is in the general's hand when the camera pans back after the shooting.

Quotes
[Firing machine gun]
David Shawn: It's beautiful, man!

Alternate versions
The Amazon streaming version of the film replaces The Doors, Stevie Nicks, and The Pointer Sisters songs with generic music.

Connections
Featured in Sneak Previews: Taps, Cinderella, Taxi Zum Klo, Heartbeeps (1981)

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

User reviews84

Review

Featured review

A Time-Capsule Gem

'Taps' is an uneven film, burdened somewhat by its ponderousness and pathological seriousness. But what a time capsule!

Of all of the young actors here, only Timothy Hutton was already a star, having become the youngest actor ever to win an Oscar for his role in Robert Redford's 'Ordinary People.' Ironically, among the suporting actors in 'Taps' are Tom Cruise and Sean Penn, one of whom has become the biggest box office draw of his generation and the other its most respected acting talent. Also featured are Evan Handler, best-known as Harry Goldenblatt (Charlotte's divorce lawyer and second husband) on TV's 'Sex and the City,' and Spike Lee favorite Giancarlo Esposito, whose credits include 'The Usual Suspects' and the much-underappreciated TV series 'Homicide: Life on the Streets.'

Even if you find 'Taps' a little overblown and pretentious, it's worth watching to see these accomplished actors back in their baby-faced teens.