Top Gun (1955)
A lean, hard-edged Western about a gunslinger who rides home to save a town that wants nothing to do with him.
Top Gun - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1955
- Directed by: Ray Nazarro
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Western
- Runtime: 1h 13m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 1, 1955 (United States)
- Production Companies: United Artists, Edward Small Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Top Gun - Plot
A gunslinger returns to his hometown to warn of an impending outlaw gang attack, but he's met with hatred and fear for his previous killings.
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Top Gun - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ray Nazarro
Main Cast
- Sterling Hayden
- William Bishop
- Karin Booth
- James Millican
- Regis Toomey
- Hugh Sanders
- John Dehner
- Rod Taylor
- Denver Pyle
Writers
- Richard Schayer
- Steve Fisher
Top Gun - FAQs
What is Top Gun (1955) about?
Top Gun follows Rick Martin, a notorious gunslinger who rides back into his Wyoming hometown to warn residents of an impending raid by an outlaw gang. Instead of gratitude, he's met with fear and resentment rooted in his violent past, forcing him to confront both old enemies and a hostile community.
Does Rick Martin redeem himself by the end?
That tension between redemption and reputation is at the heart of the film. Rick Martin arrives with good intentions, but the town's distrust makes his mission complicated. Whether he earns their respect depends on how the showdown with the outlaw gang ultimately plays out — and it's a satisfying ride to find out.
Where can you stream Top Gun (1955)?
You can watch Top Gun (1955) on Amazon Prime Video, including with the ad-supported tier. It's also available to rent or buy through Amazon Video, making it easy to catch this classic Western whenever you're in the mood for some old-school frontier action.
Who stars in Top Gun (1955)?
Sterling Hayden leads the cast as gunslinger Rick Martin, with William Bishop playing the antagonist Canby Judd and Karin Booth as Laura Mead. The supporting cast includes James Millican, Regis Toomey, John Dehner, and a young Rod Taylor in an early screen appearance.
Is Top Gun (1955) related to the Tom Cruise film?
Not at all — the two films share only a title. The 1955 Top Gun is a classic Western about a gunfighter in Wyoming, while the 1986 Tom Cruise film is a military action movie about Navy fighter pilots. They are completely unrelated productions from different studios and eras.
Who directed Top Gun (1955)?
Ray Nazarro directed Top Gun (1955). Nazarro was a prolific Hollywood director who specialized in Westerns throughout the 1940s and 1950s, helming dozens of low-budget but entertaining frontier pictures. His efficient, no-frills style suited the brisk 73-minute runtime of this film perfectly.
What are some movies similar to Top Gun (1955)?
If you enjoy Top Gun (1955), you'll likely appreciate other classic Westerns like Rio Bravo (1959), Unforgiven (1992), and The Wild Bunch (1969). For more gunfighter-focused stories, The Shootist (1976) and High Plains Drifter (1973) explore similar themes of a lone gunman facing a hostile community.
How long is Top Gun (1955)?
Top Gun (1955) runs a tight 73 minutes — just over an hour. That compact runtime is part of its charm. It's a lean, efficiently told Western that wastes no time getting to the action, making it a great choice when you want a satisfying story without a lengthy commitment.
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