MovieChat Forums > Taps (1981) Discussion > Unrealistic drama

Unrealistic drama

posted 18 years ago by ccr1633
10 replies | jump to latest

I enjoyed this film, particularly because you get a chance to see a cast of budding future stars, and for the somewhat pro-military theme that was fairly novel at the time (America was still suffering a major Vietnam hangover, and the film clearly is sympathetic to young military men who are feeling the sting of downsizing from know-nothing bureaucrats who probably were responding to the mood of the country at the time).

However, there is one glaring flaw with the plot. In any such situation, with a bunch of teenagers -- albeit with weapons -- who are, (1) Not holding any "civilian" hostages, (2) Not explicitly threatening anyone with violence, (3) Making very reasonable demands to simply talk with a board of trustees, it is entirely unrealistic that the governor of the state would order military action that would likely result in a great number of casualties. Remember, these are young men who before the takeover were models of law-abiding citizenry, responsibility, discipline, and achievement. This wasn't a situation like inmates taking control of Attica. I found it absurd that the military, just before Moreland decided to give up, was prepared to storm the gates and start blasting the place to Kingdom Come with machine guns, tanks, and helicopter aerial assaults.

This didn't ruin the film for me, but it was bothersome. In the real world, negotiators would probably have promised the students something or other, gotten them out of there, and reneged on any promises later.

[–] gabby_bm 18 years ago

1. Shawn opened fire in the middle of town
2 8-year olds cannot be expected to be principled cadets and must therefore be considered "hostages"
3 The governor was put under a great deal of pressure by parents as well as the media fiasco that would result if the situation were not resolved swiftly and with relative silence.

With these in place, I must still agree with you that it was unrealistic, but it's purpose was not realism as much as metaphoric relativity.

"The Democrats and Republicans are the same friggin' party..and We the People aren't invited!"

[–] ExplorerDS6789 18 years ago

"1. Shawn opened fire in the middle of town"

Well Shawn never played by the rules. Plus, he had to do it so save them from those hoods who blamed Dwyer for the death of their friend when he really had nothing to do with it.

[–] bigal_a 17 years ago

All the authorities know is that:

1. A bunch of kids without adult supervision have taken charge of a large number of lethal weapons and live ammunition. The authorities have recently taken inventory of all the weapons and ammo, so they know what they're facing.
2. They have obtained food and supplies under false pretences.
3. At least one of their number has discharged an automatic weapon in public.

They don't know anything else, whereas we, the viewers, do. The townies are hardly likely to say they provoked the incident, and they're the only eye-witnesses the police have.

However, it makes absolutely no sense to me that the cadets would have access to the armoury at all. When I was at school, the cadet-major certainly didn't. The two keys required were in the hands of our Regimental Sergeant-Major and a Lieutenant-Colonel.

Also, why are the cadets left totally unsupervised? Where are the other teachers? The only adult we see at the academy is Bache.

[–] ExplorerDS6789 17 years ago

"Also, why are the cadets left totally unsupervised? Where are the other teachers? The only adult we see at the academy is Bache."

The other teachers left when word of the academy shutting down was spread. Remember that scene when everybody was leaving?

[–] bigal_a 17 years ago

The fact remains that they left the cadets totally unsupervised with access to military weapons. Have you ever heard of "The last person to leave, please turn out the lights and lock the door?"

They'd have their derrieres sued off them for gross negligence!

NB, I still find it a watchable and engrossing film. This is my main niggle, but I can overlook it easily enough.

[–] ExplorerDS6789 17 years ago

"Have you ever heard of "The last person to leave, please turn out the lights and lock the door?""

Yes, but apparently THEY haven't.

"This is my main niggle"

What are you, racist?

[–] bigal_a 17 years ago

What are you, racist?

Don't de-n-word-rate me!

[–] paengmanila 13 years ago

Also, plans for closing such schools aren't implemented right away. Usually, it takes a few years from the announcement to closure. By that time, several batches of cadets would have graduated and arrangements made to transfer the rest to other schools.

[–] Sparky48 11 years ago

Have to agree with the OP. Although it was interesting to see superstar actors like Sean Penn and Tom Cruise in their formative years, this movie was just too unrealistic for me:

- When has the federal government ever supplied a military school, especially a school consisting of minors, with an extensive arsenal of ammunition and firearms?

- Why would a governor order the National Guard to bombard a school ground filled with children, many of whom were preteens?

- Being that the cadets were shut of from food and water, why would a governor even order military force against the cadets and risk killing children when all he would have had to do was wait for them to eventually succumb to thirst and starvation?

- Wouldn't it have been strangely ironic for Kirby (Nat'l Guard Colonel) to have ordered a military "take-over" of the campus after the little boy (Charlie) was shot to death?

Yeah, I know it's Hollywood and you cant expect total realism, but come on.

[–] bigal_a 10 years ago

- When has the federal government ever supplied a military school, especially a school consisting of minors, with an extensive arsenal of ammunition and firearms?

OK, I live in the UK, not the United States, but my country is noted for its gun control, to the extent that you are not legally allowed to own a proper pistol (handgun) under any circumstances whatsoever (except black powder muzzle-loaders). The country has one of the lowest gun homicide rates in the world, and even ordinary uniformed policemen aren't allowed to carry firearms.

However, I first fired a real, live rifle (Short Magazine Lee-Enfield converted to 0.22, later full-size rimfire .303 SMLEs) at the age of 12. At school. There were enough rifles for my whole class in either calibre. And we had a couple of Stirling SMGs converted to single-shot and a couple of mortars. And a Browning 1911 Hi-Power (Colt .45 automatic) and a couple of Webley revolvers. And a rake of real, live ammo, too.

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