Review of Taps (1981) by Evan M — 25 Sep 2015

Bunker Hill Military Academy has just concluded another school year. Cadet Brian Moreland (Timothy Hutton), an academic junior, meets privately with the academy commandant, retired Brigadier General Harlan Bache (George C. Scott). Bache promotes Moreland to Cadet Major, the paramount rank at BHMA. Bache also reflects on the time when he was a West Point cadet (Moreland's intended college), as well as a graduate of BHMA prior to that, and how he dreads civilian life with his forthcoming retirement. Moreland is congratulated by several good friends: Cadet Captains David Shawn (Tom Cruise) and Alex Dwyer (Sean Penn), as well as Cadet Lieutenant Edward West (Evan Handler). Following the ceremonies, General Bache announces that BHMA's board of trustees is selling the school to real estate developers; however, they will remain open for one more year in order to allow the seniors to graduate and give the underclassmen time to apply to other schools. The delay gives many cadets hope that BHMA - which many of them consider home - can be saved. Bache also expresses his hope that the institute can be saved, as he wryly remarks to Moreland "We are here, and the condos are not". The graduation ceremony is also honored with a ball that evening. Outside the gates, a brawl erupts when several "townies" harass the cadets, which escalates into one local actually assaulting a sentry. General Bache sees this and tries to play peacemaker by breaking up the fighting boys, however his service pistol is seized by one of the townies. During their scuffle, the weapon discharges - killing one of the townies. Although the magazine was removed, a round was still in the chamber. Bache is arrested and has charges prepared against him for manslaughter. However, the trauma of the event combined with the arrest triggered a heart attack which results in Bache's hospitalization in critical condition. The board of trustees closes BHMA immediately. Moreland meets with the officers of the cadet corps. Since Bache is ill, they take control of Bunker Hill. The Dean of Students arrives with the local Sheriff to empty the armory. They find the weapons in the hands of an armed cadre led by Major Moreland... who demands to meet with General Bache, as well as the trustees so that BHMA will be kept open. The Dean and Sheriff are escorted off the campus by armed cadets, who secure the perimeter. The cadets are soon confronted by the real military and the tension between the cadets and the military forces outside Bunker Hill Military Academy is slowly built up...

"Taps" shows us how promising Timothy Hutton, Tom Cruise and Sean Penn were as actors already in 1981 and it´s no wonder all three has had long and still ongoing careers. The storyline is based on how theory can sound convincing in the classroom, while in practice it´s something else, but also how young minds can easily be manipulated and altered by conflicting ideals of what honour and valour means and how far you will go in your conviction. "Taps" is also a comment on the armed services and the consequences you might suffer while in action. There´s no glory or honour in death. The film has a touch of a "documentary" feeling and Hutton, Penn and Cruise are convincing in their performances. Yes, "Taps" feels a bit "80s" today when re-seeing it and the film is a bit stretched and not fully dynamic, but the main thought of it is still current and will most likely continue to be so.