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Taps
1981 126 min United States of America PG 16+
★6.7
Drama
Director: Harold Becker
Trailers
Description
Military cadets take extreme measures to ensure the future of their academy when its existence is threatened by local condo developers.
Budget:
$14M
US Gross:
$35.86M
Worldwide:
$35.9M
Starring
George C. Scott
Actor
Timothy Hutton
Actor
Ronny Cox
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1982
— Best Actor (Drama)
Key opinion
Taps is a compelling drama that examines the intersection of blind military idealism and the harsh realities of civilian authority. While the premise of cadets seizing their school is viewed by some as implausible, the film is widely praised for its powerful early performances by a young, talented cast.
| Acting | Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, and Tom Cruise deliver impressive, career-defining early performances that anchor the film's emotional weight. | |
| Theme | The script succeeds in provoking deep reflection on themes of honor, duty, and the dangers of youthful ideological extremism. | |
| Screenplay | The plot's central conceit—cadets staging an armed standoff to prevent a school closure—is perceived as both a gripping, high-stakes premise and a logically strained narrative device. |