Days of Thunder
| Days of Thunder | |
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| Directed by | Tony Scott |
| Screenplay by | Robert Towne |
| Story by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Ward Russell |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Hans Zimmer |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 107 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $60 million |
| Box office | $157.9 million |
Days of Thunder is a 1990 American sports action drama movie directed by Tony Scott. and produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. Robert Towne wrote the screenplay based on a story he co-wrote with Tom Cruise. The movie stars Cruise, Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Michael Rooker, Nicole Kidman and Cary Elwes. It also features appearances by real life NASCAR racers, such as Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace, Neil Bonnett, and Harry Gant. Commentator Dr. Jerry Punch, of ESPN, has a cameo appearance, as does co-producer Don Simpson.
Days of Thunder was released in the United States on June 27, 1990, by Paramount Pictures. The movie received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its racing sequences, Hans Zimmer's musical score, and the performances of Cruise and Duvall, but criticized its lack of originality compared to Scott's previous movie Top Gun, and grossed $157.9 million worldwide against a production budget of $60 million. The movie has made a large cult following to NASCAR fans over the years. As of November 2024, a sequel is in development.
Plot
Young World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion Cole Trickle is recruited by Chevrolet dealer Tim Daland to race in the NASCAR Cup Series. Daland brings retired crew chief Harry Hogge back to lead Cole's team.
Cole struggles in his first races because he is unfamiliar with NASCAR cars and terminology. He also develops a rivalry with champion driver Rowdy Burns. After training with Harry, Cole wins his first race at Darlington Raceway by using a slingshot maneuver to pass Rowdy.
Cole and Rowdy's rivalry grows until both are badly injured in a crash during the Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway. While recovering, Cole begins a relationship with doctor Claire Lewicki. NASCAR president Big John brings Cole and Rowdy together, and they eventually become friends.
Daland hires rookie driver Russ Wheeler while Cole is recovering and later adds Russ as a second driver. Cole and Russ soon become rivals. After Russ causes Cole to crash at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Cole crashes into Russ after the race. The incident leads Daland to fire Cole and Harry.
Rowdy later learns that he needs brain surgery and asks Cole to drive his car in the Daytona 500. Cole agrees and brings Harry back as his crew chief. During the race, Cole's car has several problems, but Harry and the pit crew repair it. On the final lap, Cole tricks Russ with a crossover move and passes him to win the Daytona 500.
Cole celebrates the victory with his team and Claire. He then asks Harry to join him, and Harry challenges him to a foot race to Victory Lane.
Cast
- Tom Cruise as Cole Trickle
- Nicole Kidman as Dr. Claire Lewicki
- Robert Duvall as Harry Hogge
- Michael Rooker as Rowdy Burns
- Cary Elwes as Russ Wheeler
- Randy Quaid as Tim Daland
- Fred Dalton Thompson as Big John
- John C. Reilly as Buck Bretherton
- J. C. Quinn as Waddell
- Caroline Williams as Jeannie Burns
- Leilani Sarelle as a Female Highway Patrol Officer who is actually a stripper hired by Harry as a prank on Cole.
- Chris Ellis as Harlem Hoogerhyde
- Don Simpson as Aldo Bennedetti (cameo)
- Richard Petty as Himself (cameo)
- Rusty Wallace as Himself (cameo)
- Neil Bonnett as Himself (cameo)
- Harry Gant as Himself (cameo)
- Dr. Jerry Punch as Himself (cameo)
Other websites
- 1 2 Days of Thunder at the American Film Institute Catalog
- ↑ "Battle of the Biceps". People Magazine. Archived from the original on July 29, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.