Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in “Days of Thunder. “Paramount Pictures/Getty Images “Days of Thunder” is the biggest dramatic movie ever based on NASCAR and one of the biggest auto racing movies of all time. The movie, now 32 years old, starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
While the movie is still a fun look at big-time racing, many details have not aged well and will make fans feel old. From some eyebrow-raising casting choices to the lack of safety equipment, and an early look at Cruise’s yet-to-be-perfected running style, the world has changed a lot since 1990. Below we take a look at the details that will make fans of NASCAR and the movie feel old.
Look at those shorts! And those headphones!ParamountThis movie is so old, The King, Richard Petty, was not yet retired from stock car racing and is shown several times in racing scenes. ParamountRandy Quaid was still landing dramatic roles as a serious actor in major films. ParamountPepsi stopped using that logo more than 25 years ago.
ParamountThe film zoomed-in on several Confederate Flags, including a “The South Will Rise Again” flag. These were all seen in the first 90 seconds. No matter what your opinion is on the flag, we can all agree that this would not happen in a blockbuster film today.
ParamountFred Thompson, who plays the head of NASCAR, was seen smoking in a nice restaurant. ParamountTom Cruise and Nicole Kidman still liked each other. They would get married a year after this movie was filmed.
ParamountESPN still covered NASCAR. There was even a Dr. Jerry Punch sighting, the long-time NASCAR pit reporter.
ParamountSixteen years before John C. Reilly would star in another NASCAR movie, “Talladega Nights,” he was a member of Cole Trickle’s crew in “Days of Thunder. ” It was the original “Shake and Bake.
“ParamountWhile Chevy is still a major player in NASCAR, it has been a while since the Lumina was a star in their lineup. ParamountSame for the Ford Thunderbird. ParamountAnd any Buicks.
ParamountThere were also some major sponsors you wouldn’t see anymore at sporting events, including Skoal and Kodak Film. ParamountA young Rusty Wallace made a cameo. In 1990, he was the reigning NASCAR champion.
ParamountIt is strange to see pit crew members not wearing helmets or fire suits. ParamountThe drivers wore open-faced helmets without any safety devices, such as the HANS head restraint device which wouldn’t become mandatory in NASCAR for another 12 years. Getty ImagesDirty faces were the norm.
ParamountThe walls were just concrete. It would be years before NASCAR would start using safety walls made with foam. ParamountIn a sad bit of irony, one of the main characters is Harry Hogge, played by Robert Duvall.
The character starts the movie in retirement due to his driver dying in a head-first crash into the wall at Daytona. ParamountSome of the safety features not seen in this movie were ushered in after Dale Earnhardt died in a similar fashion at Daytona in 2001. Earnhardt’s No.
3 car is seen in the movie competing at Daytona. ParamountAt the time of this movie, one person owning more than one NASCAR team was considered controversial enough to be a plot twist. Nowadays, that is the norm and drivers often assist teammates.
(Also, look at that TV on Channel 4!)ParamountFresh off of “The Princess Bride” and “Glory,” the movie tried to pass off Cary Elwes as a NASCAR driver villain. ParamountIt is also hard to imagine Hardees and Mello Yello cars battling for the lead on the final lap of the Daytona 500. ParamountAfter Cole won the Daytona 500 at the end of the film, he drove straight to pit row without taking a victory lap or doing any burnouts.
ParamountIn the final scene of the movie, Cole Trickle races his crew chief to victory lane after winning Daytona. In one of the more dated sights in the movie, Tom Cruise has clearly not yet perfected his famous movie running style. It’s like seeing a baby take its first steps.
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From: insider
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