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Oh I hate whenever
favorite movies of mine are released on
DVD as special anniversary editions. I mean,
I'm glad to have them because of all the
extra features, but when I think of a movie
having a 25th anniversary edition it reminds
me of my age. The thought that "Taps"
came out 25 years ago really gets me because
I have such strong memories of seeing the
movie several times in theatres when it
first came out, it was that good.
The film starred Timothy Hutton as a student
in a highly regarded military academy. He
is given the honor of becoming a cadet major
(the highest ranking student on campus)
by the academy's General, played by the
late, great George C. Scott. It is soon
learned that the academy is going to be
closed in order to make room for condominiums.
The news is taken hard, but the academy
is given a year's reprieve in order to allow
students to graduate or move on… until
an unfortunate event causes the immediate
closing of the school.
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The students, led by Hutton, decide that the
honor that has been won by the blood of the academy's
graduates is worth more than the board of director's
wish to build condos. So they perform a military
coup and take over the academy, refusing to let
anyone in until terms can be agreed to allowing
the school to remain open. What at first seems
like an honorable ideal turns violent and it becomes
a case of the wrong idea used for the right reasons.
When I first saw the film way way way back when,
I was floored not only by the story as a whole,
but by the amazing performances by its young cast.
Joining Hutton in the film were Sean Penn and
Tom Cruise, both of whom are spectacular in the
film. In the case of Cruise, I think "Taps"
marked on of the strongest roles of his career,
playing against type of the hotshots he became
known for.
The transfer in the new DVD release by Fox is
terrific, I'm not sure I ever remember the film
looking or sounding better. And to top it off,
the studio gathered some of the cast together
for a featurette full of interviews. Plus there
is a commentary by director Harold Becker that
is better than most. There is even a featurette
on the origins of the playing of Taps.
"Taps" still hold up as an excellent
movie, even after all of these years. Watching
it, I am reminded (not only of my age) of what
a great actor Timothy Hutton is and it makes me
wonder how his career did not surpass that of
Cruise.
Directed by: Harold Becker
Starring: Timothy Dalton, Sean Penn, Tom Cruise,
George C. Scott
Extras: Commentary by Director Harold Becker,
Sounding the Call to Arms - Mobilizing the Taps
Generation Featurette, The Bugler's Cry - The
Origin of Playing Taps Featurette, TV Spots
Specifications: Widescreen (1.85:1), English 4.0
Dolby Surround
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 9/12/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG
Website
We'll give Taps: 25th Anniversary an A.
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