FILMFACTS
PRODUCTION
“
This school is our home, we think it's worth defending
Production
Go behind the scenes on the 1981 Teen Drama movie starring George C. Scott, Tom Cruise, Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn
Ronny Cox, Brendan Ward, Evan Handler, John P. Navin Jr., Billy Van Zandt, Giancarlo Esposito, Donald Kimmel, Tim Wahrer, Tim Riley, Jeff Rochlin, Rusty Jacobs, Wayne Tippit, Jess Osuna, Earl Hindman, James Handy, Steven Ryan Update Cast
We believe the following info is all legit. If it's bogus or you have additional info, please update us.
Thanks to Mark (VFMA Class of 1971)
The "Main Gate" where the confrontation between the "townies" and Gen. Basche (George C. Scott) takes place, never exsisted. That gate was constructed for the movie only, and was returned to its original form of a small "single person gate" for the real superintendant to exit the Main Area and cross the street to his house. Also, Many of the interior scenes were filmed on sets constructed in the academy's former riding hall named Clothier Hall, which no longer exists.Rewind Archive
The stars had to do an induction in the Valley Forge Academy prior to filming so that they had a first-hand glimpse into the life of an academy and the rituals and hierarchy that was a part of the life of a cadet.Rewind Archive
While Tom Cruise's character was the gung-ho type, Tom was not so impressed with the academy life and decided a local hotel was more to his liking.Rewind Archive
The disruption to the academy caused by delays in fiming led to permission for other productions being denied by other academies.Thanks to Robert Baum
Initially when cast in the film, Tom Cruise didn't have many lines as he was only going to play a background character in the film, but Director Harold Becker was so impressed by the way he conducted himself as one of the military cadets during rehearsals that he was offered the part of David Shawn.Thanks to Tom Leonard
One of the uncredited "Red Berets" is now a real Major serving in Iraq. MAJ Greg Markert is serving somewhere in the Mosel region and will be back in April 08. The tanks that are shown are M48A5 Patton tanks and belonged to the 1st Squadron 104th Cavalry of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. The .50 Caliber Machine Gun, which kills Hutton and Cruise, mounted on the loader hatch was done by Hollywood. It normally mounts a M60D machine gun.Thanks to Brian Ringer
Taps was to be filmed at Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro VA. The school would not allow the film to widen the archway of the school to drive a tank through.Thanks to Brian Ringer
Taps was to be filmed at Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro VA. The school would not allow the film to widen the archway of the school to drive a tank through.Thanks to BK
In a May 1996 interview Tom Cruise mentions being nervous doing his first love scene in Taps and discusses that the shower scene was worse. "We were all young guys" (Cruise was 18, Timothy Hutton and Sean Penn were each 20, and Brendan Ward and John P. Navin Jr who played the younger cadets were each 13).He says that he and Penn and Hutton had been flirting with the girls in the office and that they watched them film the scene: "Well, we come out for the scene [naked] and there are all these girls lined up and watching us".
Next Section: Deleted Scenes
Deleted Scenes
There are often scenes cut from the final version of a movie. Sometimes these will have been seen by preview audiences, or be included in Blu-ray or DVD extras etc.
Shucks.. We don't know of any cut scenes from "TAPS". Can you help? Please add one for others to enjoy. It's quick & easy
Next Section: Alternate Versions
Alternate Versions
Sometimes, there will be several versions of a movie floating about on cable, tv or video etc. Other times, a Director may release a special cut of the movie on Blu-ray or DVD.
Aw, man.. We don't know of any alternate versions of "TAPS". If you know better, please add one for others to enjoy. It's quick & easy
Jump To: Filming Locations
Or use the menu to navigate
1981 20th Century Fox
1999-2020 fast-rewind.com
V4_27 Powered by Rewind C21 CMS