The Robert Shaw films Tom Cruise recommended to Dead Reckoning co-star
Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One may already be wowing movie going audiences, but Top Gun: Maverick actor Tom Cruise gave actress Hayley Atwell a list of key films to watch ahead of shooting, including two Robert Shaw classics.
The JAWS actor’s films came up in a programme for Sky called Tom Cruise: Impossible Missions which saw the Ethan Hunt actor, Simon Pegg and Hayley Atwell taking about the best stunts of the series. Including the latest seventh instalment.
The special, narrated by The Daily Jaws follower Alex Zane, featured Atwell talking about the long list of movies Tom Cruise wanted the Agent Carter actress to watch, to help get that vibe and tone 1ahe was looking for.
In the programme, Hayley said: “I was watching lots of films…to understand more of the film language we were looking for. And so, from things like What’s Up Doc to The Sting and Paper Moon, The Train, The Taking of Pelham [One Two Three]. These great classic movies, and lots of heist movies – The Thomas Crown Affair – and using those as great reference points.”
The Sting (1973)
With William Goldman on script duties, George Roy Hill in the director’s chair and Paul Newman and Robert Redford as leads. The team that brought us Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were back and this 30s set comedy crime drama has the same sense of fun and playfulness about it. This time Robert Shaw is the antagonist and it was his Irish mobster, Doyle Lonnegan, that stole the show.
As with all heroes, they are only as good as their adversaries, and Shaw’s portrayal raised the bringing a genuine feeling of danger to an otherwise comedic tone
Everyone is firing on all cylinders and you can't help but smile as you suckered in as much as Shaw. They certainly don't make them like this anymore.
Produced by Zanuck and Brown, they obviously remembered the impact Shaw had on the picture when it came to the Quint casting call for JAWS.
TRIVIA: Paul Newman recommended Robert Shaw for his role.
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
Prior to jumping on board Orca, Robert Shaw took to another mode of transport, a New York subway train. He played the criminal lead. Blue, pulling off an audacious heist movie that sees Shaw lead a gang of armed men holding 18 passengers on a subway car to ransom for $1 million. And it’s up only Walter Matthau’s character that can thwart it.
Incredibly taut, edge of your seat and impeccably written and directed. Nothing is wasted, and all this from the future director of Jaws the Revenge (1987), Joseph Sargent.
If you’ve only seen the John Travolta and Denzel Washington remake, directed by Tony Scott, then you stepped on the wrong track. Jump aboard the superior original for the superior film journey. You won’t be disappointed.
TRIVIA: All the bad guys were called Mr followed by a colour, something a certain Quentin Tarantino would use as a direct steal (well it was a heist movie) almost 20 years later in Reservoir Dogs.
Words by Dean Newman
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