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Arts & Culture

How Tony Scott, Director Of 'Top Gun,' Influenced America's Perception Of The Military

Director Tony Scott, who directed the extraordinarily popular military movie "Top Gun," committed suicide on Sunday.

ABC News reports Scott had inoperable brain cancer.

When 'Top Gun' was released in 1986, it was credited with re-energizing the country's interest in the military. As Washington Post columnist David Sirota wrote on the 25th anniversary of the release of "Top Gun":

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Top Gun may not glorify war, but it certainly glorifies the life of a Naval aviator. This is why recruitment surged right after the film's release.

Indeed, Yahoo Movies reports:

Acknowledged as the greatest promotional movie for the U.S. Navy, "Top Gun" changed the landscape of Navy recruitment. From recruitment booths to tour buses, there was a steady rise of people interested in Naval aviation. People went crazy over aviator shades and new haircuts inspired by the "Top Gun" stars' hairdos. People were talking about the "need for speed."

I'd love to hear from my military readers. Did the movie "Top Gun" influence your decision to enlist?