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You think its a story about a bunch of fighter pilots.
It is the story of a mans struggle with his own homosexuality,Tarantino says in the movie.
Today,Top Gunproducer Jerry Bruckheimer will have you know that he is fine with that reading.
Somebodys got a better memory than me.
This was before we had a script.
So he was always the first.
But there were times we had given it to Tom and we couldnt get a yes from him.
So I arranged for him to fly with theBlue Angelsdown in Miramar, California.
And the Navy aviators said, Were going to give this hippie a ride.
The captain wanted to change direction, spoiling the shot.
So Tony supposedly pulled out his checkbook and wrote the captain a $25,000 check on the spot.
Its a true story.
I think it was $10,000.
These stories get bigger and bigger.
I also think he canceled the check.
Straight out of the Roger Corman school of guerrilla filmmaking!
What were the circumstances?
But Tony said, Its going to look ugly.
Youre not going to want it this way.
And the admiral said, Look, we have to conserve fuel.
You only haveXamount of fuel when you go on these cruises.
And Tony said, How much will it cost?
He said, Around $10,000.
He pulled out his checkbook and gave him a check.
Im sure you must be familiar with TarantinosSleep With Memonologue.
What do you make ofTop Guns secondary renown as a gay film that showcases some decidedly homoerotic content?
And yet theres a relevance to them, because people believe it.
So it sits okay with you.
Tony and Quentin were very good friends.
In fact, Quentin came in and helped Tony and myself onCrimson Tide.
He came in and wrote a couple of scenes for us.
So there was a great camaraderie and respect between Quentin and Tony.
Coming from Quentin, its always a compliment.
What can you tell me about that?
Tom distanced himself from her because he wanted the love story to grow and didnt socialize.
He worked on the script with us.
He was constantly working.
There was no disagreement.
Kelly was a lot of fun, as were all the young actors who worked on the movie.
That involves the visuals, the soundtrack, and a certain simplicity cutting through the cultural clutter.
I think that vernaculars been around for a very long time.
And thats something that weve done in a lot of our films.
You cant always do it.
But thats something thats important.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
