Collections Search | BFI | British Film Institute

Top Gun (Original title)
Date: 1986 (Copyright)

Country: USA

Director: Tony Scott

Production company billing: ©1986. Paramount Pictures Corporation
Synopsis: Adventure film set in the world of U.S. Naval fighter pilots. Pete Mitchell, known as Maverick, is a gifted young pilot and is sent to the prestigious Top Gun training school where some skeletons from his past are revealed, and where he also falls in love with one of the staff, the instructor Charlotte Blackwood.

Genre:
Action and Adventure

Subjects:
United States Naval Academy, Military, Pilots
Releases
Date: 1986not specifiedRelease type: unknownFormat: Super-35 - Colour - Metrocolor - Sound - DolbyRuntime: 110 mins Length: 9883 FeetLanguage: English

Credits (133)
©: Paramount Pictures Corporation, Executive producer/unit prod manager: Bill Badalato, Producer: Don Simpson, Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer, Associate Producer: Warren Skaaren, Production manager (USFX): Whitney Green, Production co-ordinator (USFX): Christine Whitney, Sally Syberg, Assistant Director: Dan Kolsrud, Assistant Director: Sharon Mann, Assistant Director: Patrick Cosgrove, Screenplay: Warren Skaaren, Screenplay: Jim Cash, Screenplay: Jack Epps Jr, Director of Photography: Jeffrey Kimball, Animation photography (USFX): Donald Smith, Underwater/aerial photography: Jack Cooperman, Air to air photography: Clay Lacey, Aerial camera operator: Nick Alavardo, Aerial camera operator: Dan Koblash, Aerial camera operator: Don Thompson, Aerial camera operator: William J. Kelly, Aerial camera operator: C.J. "Heater" Heatley, Aerial camera operator: George Howe, Aerial camera operator: David Nowell, Aerial camera operator: Lawrence Blanford, Gary Tolbert, Camera Operator: John Connor, Steadicam Operator: Joe Valentine, Special photography effects supervisor: Gary Gutierrez, Astrovision operator: David Knoll, Special Visual Effects: USFX, Special Visual Effects: Colossal Pictures, Visual Effects Photography: Rick Fichter, Process co-ordinator: Don Hansard Sr, Special effects co-ordinator: Allen Hall, Special Effects: Peter Cairo, Special Effects: Robert G. Willard, Special Effects: Steve Foster, Pyrotechnician (USFX): Peter Stolz, Ted Moehnke, Model department supervisor (USFX): David Sosalla, Model maker (USFX): Earle Murphy, Model maker (USFX): David Carothers, Model maker (USFX): Marghe McMahon, Model maker (USFX): Steve Sanders, John Eaves, Video graphics: Intervideo, Richard Clark, Animation supervisor (USFX): William Groshelle, Animation (USFX): Sam Comstock, Animation (USFX): Wes Takahashi, Stuart Cudlitz, Editor: Billy Weber, Editor: Chris Lebenzon, Production Designer: John F. Decuir Jr, Set Designer: Craig Dennis Edgar, Set Decorator: Robert R. Benton, Men's costume supervisor: James Tyson, Women's costume supervisor: Bobbie Read, Men's wardrobe: John Napolitano, Wingate Jones Jr, Make-up artist: Rick Sharp, Additional make-up artist: Scott Eddo, Title Design: Dan Curry, Titles and opticals: Cinema Research Corporation, Music: Harold Faltermeyer, Songs: Tom Whitlock, Music Editor: Robert Badami, Record company consultant: Michael Dilbeck, Ron Oberman, Sound Recording: William B. Kaplan, Sound Recording: James Cavarretta Jr, Sound Recording: Mike Haney, Sound Recording: Bob Nichols Ii, Sound Re-recording: Don Mitchell, Sound Re-recording: Kevin O'Connell, Sound Re-recording: Rick Kline, Supervising Sound Editor: Cecelia Hall, Supervising Sound Editor: George Watters Ii, Sound Editor: Virginia Cook, Sound Editor: Teri E. Dorman, Sound Editor: Julia Evershade, Sound Editor: Frank Howard, Sound Editor: Marshall Winn, Sound Editor: David Stone, Special sound effects created: John Paul Fasal, Supervising ADR editor: Andrew Patterson, ADR Editor: Juno J. Ellis, Foley artist: Edward Steidele, Sarah Jacobs, Foley Editor: Pamela Bentkowski, Foley Editor: Joseph A. Ippolito, Stunt Co-ordinator: R.A. Rondell, Stunts: R.A. Rondell, Stunts: Gary Epper, Stunts: Randy Peters, Stunts: Steve Holladay, Stunts: Donna Keegan, F-14 camera consultant: John Gilbert, George Leahy, Aerial consultant: Richard T. Stevens, Thomas R. Harmon, Technical adviser: Peter "Viper" Pettigrew, Navy aerial co-ordinator: Robert "Rat" Willard, F-14 air crew: Lloyd "Bozo" Abel, F-14 air crew: Scott 'D-Bear' Altman, F-14 air crew: Dennis "Loner" Broska, F-14 air crew: Rick "Curly" Moe, F-14 air crew: Chuck "Silver" Lewis, F-14 air crew: Ben "Rabbi" Schneider, F-14 air crew: Tracy "Too Cool" Skeels, Kenneth "Squire" Smith, F-14 consultant: Grumman Aerospace Corporation, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: Dave "Bio" Baranek, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: Michael "Vida" Blue, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: Peter "Horse" Caulk, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: John "Player" Cushing, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: Ricky "Organ" Hammonds, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: Terrence "Circus" Mcguire, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: James "Jambo" Ray, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: Ray "Secks" Seckinger, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: Dennis "Sunshine" Dilucente, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: Gregory "Hollywood" Dishart, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: Michael "Flex" Galpin, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: Thomas "Sobs" Sobieck, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: William "Tex" Spence, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: Michael "Boa" Straight, Top gun instructor/MIG pilot: Robert "Rat" Willard, James "Jaws" Winnefeld, Navy dialogue consultant: Jim "Flex" Destafney, Armature designer (USFX): Gary Platek
Cast (24)
Tom Cruise (Pete "Maverick" Mitchell), Kelly McGillis (Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood), Val Kilmer (Tom "Iceman" Kazansky), Anthony Edwards (Nick "Goose" Bradshaw), Tom Skerritt (Commander Mike Metcalf "Viper"), Michael Ironside (Dick "Jester" Wetherly), John Stockwell (Bill "Cougar" Cortell), Barry Tubb (Henry "Wolfman" Ruth), Rick Rossovich (Ron "Slider" Kerner), Tim Robbins (Sam "Merlin" Wills), Clarence Gilyard Jr (Evan "Sundown" Gough), Whip Hubley (Rick "Hollywood" Neven), James Tolkan (Stinger), Meg Ryan (Carole Bradshaw), Adrian Pasdar (Chipper), Randall Brady (Lieutenant Davis), Duke Stroud (Air Boss Johnson), Brian Sheehan (Sprawl), Ron Clark (Inquiry Commander), Frank Pesce (Bartender), Peter "Viper" Pettigrew (Perry Siedenthal), Troy Hunter (Radio Operator), Linda Rae Jurgens (Mrs. Metcalf), T.J. Cassidy (Admiral T. J. Cassidy)
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library (33)
In: Cinéaste v34 n2 Spring 2009  Pages: 43-47
Title: "Invisible" or "Visible" Editing: The Development of Edit...Author: LoBRUTTO, Vincent Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: "...orial Styles and Strategies". Looks at films like ALL THAT JAZZ, SPARTACUS, BRUTE FORCE, L'AVVENTURA, A BOUT DE SOUFFLE, FLASHDANCE, BONNIE AND CLYDE, DIE HARD and TOP GUN; Filmmakers also include Stan Brakhage and Dede Allen.

In: Empire n239 May 2009  Page: 142
Title: At home/DVD reissues: Top GunAuthor: HUGHES, David Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Empire n241 July 2009  Pages: 108-114
Title: Tony Scott on Tony ScottAuthor: SMITH, Adam Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Filmmaker Tony Scott discusses his career and the films he hs made.

In: Empire n227 May 2008  Pages: 168-169
Title: The top 10 movie dogfightsAuthor: FREER, Ian Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A compilation of the top ten best scenes of aerial combat in film.

In: Empire n228 June 2008  Pages: 108-111
Title: Popbusters!Author: LYNSKEY, Dorian Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Discusses the history of the power-ballad theme song for films from the 1980's onwards. Traces the key films for the trend and how after ubiquity in 1980s and 90s Hollywood has reverted back to "old-fashioned" scores.

In: Empire n228 June 2008  Pages: 168-169
Title: The top 10 best-dressed charactersAuthor: O'HARA, HelenArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A listing and brief critique of the ten best-dressed characters in film

In: Cinema Journal v47 n1 Autumn 2007  Pages: 101-105
Title: In focus: Misogynist film: teaching Top GunAuthor: MODLESKI, Tania Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Discusses the use of TOP GUN when teaching the link between "male homoerotic desire and misogyny".

In: Empire n201 March 2006  Pages: 77-88,90-101
Title: 201 Greatest movies of all timeArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A listing of the top two hundred and one films as chosen by the reader's of Empire magazine. With comments by actors and filmmaker's.

In: Film and History v35 n1 2005  Pages: 20-28
Title: From "Knockout Punch" to "Home Run": Masculinity's "Dirty...Author: DONALD, Ralph R. Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: `...Dozen" Sports Metaphors in American Combat Films'. Part of a whole issue on American sports in film, television and history, this article examines the vocabulary of sport as used in war films.

In: Empire n187 January 2005  Page: 195
Title: FFW: Most wanted 2005Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Empire n191 May 2005  Pages: 160-161
Title: RWD: Top GunAuthor: SMITH, Adam Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Film Review n655 April 2005  Page: 152
Title: Top Gun: SEAuthor: NB Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Empire n158 August 2002  Pages: 98-100
Title: The jet set.Author: SMITH, Adam Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A retrospective look at the making of TOP GUN.

In: Journal of Popular Film & Television v18 n1 Spring 1990  Pages: 18-27
Title: Making love, not war: the soldier male in Top Gun and...Author: CONLON, James Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Examines TOP GUN and COMING HOME as regards the inter- relationships of men to love and war.

In: Post Script v9 n3 Summer 1990  Pages: 21-35
Title: Top Gun and postmodern mass culture aestheticsAuthor: SHOOS, Diane Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: An examination of the film in terms of popular mass culture and as a vehicle for image and spectacle.

In: American Film v15 n9 June 1990  Page: 33,45
Title: Save Our ScriptArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: The problems of scriptwriting with contributions from various scriptwriters; Wareen Skaaran on TOP GUN, includes an extract from the changed script. (Illustration page 33).

In: Premiere n125 August 1987  Pages: 42-47
Title: [Premiere - n125 August 1987: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: French
Description: Stills, plus interview with the director.

In: Cinefex n29 February 1987  Pages: 52-67
Title: [Cinefex - n29 February 1987: no known title]Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Article on the production of the special effects in the film

In: Cinéaste v15 n1 1986  Pages: 41-42
Title: [Cinéaste - v15 n1 1986: no known title]Language: English

In: Films and Filming n384 September 1986  Pages: 43-44
Title: [Films and Filming - n384 September 1986: no known title]Language: English

In: The Listener v116 n2981 9 Oct 1986  Page: 33
Title: [The Listener - v116 n2981 9 Oct 1986: no known title]Language: English

In: Monthly Film Bulletin v53 n633 October 1986  Pages: 319-320
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v53 n633 October 1986: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Time Out n841 1 Oct 1986  Page: 29
Title: [Time Out - n841 1 Oct 1986: no known title]Language: English

In: City Limits n261 2 Oct 1986  Page: 23
Title: [City Limits - n261 2 Oct 1986: no known title]Language: English

In: American Cinematographer v67 n5 May 1986  Page: 50, 56, 58
Title: [American Cinematographer - v67 n5 May 1986: no known title]Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Jeff Kimbell talks about his work as director of photography on the film.

In: American Cinematographer v67 n6 June 1986  Pages: 28-33
Title: [American Cinematographer - v67 n6 June 1986: no known title]Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Article on the special effects and use of miniatures, including notes on the process projections shots for the aviation scenes (p.31).

In: Variety 14 May 1986  Page: 14
Title: [Variety - 14 May 1986: no known title]Language: English

In: American Film v11 n8 June 1986  Pages: 28-32,52
Title: [American Film - v11 n8 June 1986: no known title]Language: English
Description: Production report and analysis of the background to the making of a film of this nature in 1985.

In: The Hollywood Reporter v287 n35 2 Jul 1985  Page: 10
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v287 n35 2 Jul 1985: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Screen International n505 13 Jul 1985  Page: 4
Title: [Screen International - n505 13 Jul 1985: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English

In: Variety 3 Jul 1985  Page: 26
Title: [Variety - 3 Jul 1985: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: Credits within production chart.

In: The Hollywood Reporter v288 n38 18 Sep 1985  Page: 1,5
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v288 n38 18 Sep 1985: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Note of the death of stunt pilot Art Scholl after his plane crashed into the sea during shooting of aerial sequences for this film.

In: Screen International n510 17 Aug 1985  Page: 31
Title: [Screen International - n510 17 Aug 1985: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English


Books held in BFI Reuben Library (5)
Title: Life moves pretty fast: the lessons we learned from eighties movies (and why we don't learn them from movies any more)
Author: Freeman, Hadley  Pages: 326 pages

Title: Life moves pretty fast: the lessons we learned from eighties movies (and why we don't learn them from movies any more)
Author: Freeman, Hadley  Pages: 326 pages

Title: Blockbuster: how Hollywood learned to stop worrying and love the Summer
Author: Shone, Tom  Pages: viii, 340 p.

Title: Male impersonators: men performing masculinity
Author: SIMPSON, Mark  Pages: 290p.
Description: Tom CRUISE pp.229-51 The CRYING GAME pp.164-76 TOP GUN pp.229-38

Title: Top secrets: screenwriting
Author: WOLFF, Jurgen  Pages: ii-x. 342p
Description: DANCES WITH WOLVES pp.1-30 TOP GUN pp.31-58 PARADISE pp.59-90 REVERSAL OF FORTUNE pp.125-156 WITNESS pp.157-186 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES pp.187-216 GHOST pp.217-256 DEAD POETS SOCIETY pp.257-284 SHORT CIRCUIT pp.285-312 NAKED GUN:FROM THE FILES OF POLICE SQUAD! pp.313-340