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Taps (1981) DVD Review
Taps (1981) DVD Credits:
Taps (1981) Directed by:
Harold Becker
Taps (1981) Written by:
Robert Mark Kamen
Taps (1981) Cast:
George C. Scott, Timothy Hutton, Ronny Cox, Sean Penn, Tom Cruise
Taps (1981) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
Taps (1981) DVD Release Date:
11th September 2006
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Taps (1981) Synopsis:

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 (George C. Scott). Under the command of a student cadet major (Timothy Hutton), the cadets seize the campus, refuse entry of the construction crews and ultimately confront the real military.

Taps (1981) DVD Review:

A small sticker is attached to the packaging of the Taps 25th Anniversary Special Edition DVD, just to let consumers know that this was Tom Cruise’s second feature film role. Taps is a fantastic film, but it also has Tom Cruise going crazy and having to be put down like a rabid dog in the course of the film. I’m not exactly sure if that helps the already tarnished image that Cruise continues to drag through the mud. At the same time it is interesting to look back on the man at the beginning of his career. His youthful face still clinging to baby fat had so much promise, which has most definitely been fulfilled in his career thus far.

The twenty-fifth anniversary of Taps is particularly remarkable when you consider the talent in this film. Each of them was at the beginning of their career, and each has had an incredible career. Timothy Hutton leads an entire military academy of boys who take over their school when they hear news that it will be closed down. George C. Scott also graces the film with his incredible presence, bringing his experience in other military roles to the film. Taps shows a stark vision of a group of boys declaring war against everyone outside the gates of the school. There is something about the story that still has some resonance of truth remaining even twenty-five years later.

The twenty-fifth anniversary edition of the film has a few special features along with a fancy new menu that plays, obviously enough, “Taps”. There are a few special features, but each carries some weight. Sounding the Call to Arms is a featurette about the production of Taps, with a great deal of focus being on the actors. Unfortunately none except Timothy Hutton are available for interview. There is also a featurette about the origins of “Taps” called The Bugler’s Cry, which starts with “Taps” but quickly moves on to other bugle calls, which isn’t as interesting. The special features also have a number of TV spots and a commentary track with the director, Harold Becker.

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Taps (1981) DVD review written by: Ryan Izay

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