"Flight of the Intruder" had the potential to be a very good war film, about the Vietnam War. It seems odd that the billing for the movie doesn't show it as a war movie, but as an action, thriller and drama film. The story is about war, the people involved and how it affects them. That is according to Stephen Coonts, author of the book by the same name. The story is fiction but it's based on his experience and nine years of U.S. Navy service, including two combat cruises as a Grumman A-6 Intruder pilot.
When Coonts tried to get his book published, 30 publishers wouldn't even look at it. Four others rejected it and two others hadn't responded. Finally, the Naval Institute Arm (connected informally with the U.S. Naval Academy) published it. The Institute had a big success with the earlier publication of "The Hunt for Red October" that went on to be a smash hit movie. This book also became a big hit and was a best seller. Unfortunately, the movie didn't fare as well.
Paramount hired John Millius to direct the film. He had a string of very good screenplays and films directed with war themes. Those included "Red Dawn" of 1984, screenplay and direction; screenplay for "Apocalypse Now" of 1979; writing and direction of "Farewell to the King" of 1989; and many more. Apparently, Paramount tried to run everything and kept interfering with the film. The result was a movie with plot holes, poor editing, scene changes, continuity goofs and other problems. The studio should have let Millius run the show – he had the track record to turn out very good films of this type. The critics noted the deficiencies and generally panned the film. It failed to recover its $30 million cost at the box office.
Originally, Richard Gere was to play the part of Virgil Cole that finally went to Willem Dafoe. And, Millius had tried to get Richard Dreyfus for the role of the commander, Camparelli. Danny Glover wound up in that role. Dafoe is OK, but Glover just doesn't quite seem to fit. His acting, especially as the tough squadron leader, isn't really convincing. It seems forced or contrived. Maybe it's the persona of his character, Roger Murtaugh, from the "Lethal Weapon" films that sticks in one's mind.
But, even with these flaws, "Flight of the Intruder" is better than the critics give credit. The film differs from the book in some places, but it is a realistic portrayal of Navy service during the Vietnam War. The flying scenes are very good, the shipboard scenes at sea are nice and the film has considerable action.
The movie was filmed in Hawaii with full U.S. Navy cooperation. Here are a couple humorous lines from the film
Lt. Commander Mad Jack "Doc" is flying to Subic Bay as a passenger with Lt. Sammy Lundeen. A crew member instructs him on ejection. Doc, "Do I say roger or . just do it or what?" Sammy Lundeen, "You even say 'huh,' you'll be talking to yourself 'cause I'll be gone."
Sammy Lundeen, "Here, Doc, take some oxygen." Doc, "Keep your hands on the wheel."
When Coonts tried to get his book published, 30 publishers wouldn't even look at it. Four others rejected it and two others hadn't responded. Finally, the Naval Institute Arm (connected informally with the U.S. Naval Academy) published it. The Institute had a big success with the earlier publication of "The Hunt for Red October" that went on to be a smash hit movie. This book also became a big hit and was a best seller. Unfortunately, the movie didn't fare as well.
Paramount hired John Millius to direct the film. He had a string of very good screenplays and films directed with war themes. Those included "Red Dawn" of 1984, screenplay and direction; screenplay for "Apocalypse Now" of 1979; writing and direction of "Farewell to the King" of 1989; and many more. Apparently, Paramount tried to run everything and kept interfering with the film. The result was a movie with plot holes, poor editing, scene changes, continuity goofs and other problems. The studio should have let Millius run the show – he had the track record to turn out very good films of this type. The critics noted the deficiencies and generally panned the film. It failed to recover its $30 million cost at the box office.
Originally, Richard Gere was to play the part of Virgil Cole that finally went to Willem Dafoe. And, Millius had tried to get Richard Dreyfus for the role of the commander, Camparelli. Danny Glover wound up in that role. Dafoe is OK, but Glover just doesn't quite seem to fit. His acting, especially as the tough squadron leader, isn't really convincing. It seems forced or contrived. Maybe it's the persona of his character, Roger Murtaugh, from the "Lethal Weapon" films that sticks in one's mind.
But, even with these flaws, "Flight of the Intruder" is better than the critics give credit. The film differs from the book in some places, but it is a realistic portrayal of Navy service during the Vietnam War. The flying scenes are very good, the shipboard scenes at sea are nice and the film has considerable action.
The movie was filmed in Hawaii with full U.S. Navy cooperation. Here are a couple humorous lines from the film
Lt. Commander Mad Jack "Doc" is flying to Subic Bay as a passenger with Lt. Sammy Lundeen. A crew member instructs him on ejection. Doc, "Do I say roger or . just do it or what?" Sammy Lundeen, "You even say 'huh,' you'll be talking to yourself 'cause I'll be gone."
Sammy Lundeen, "Here, Doc, take some oxygen." Doc, "Keep your hands on the wheel."