In the book “You Are What You Watch”Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Walter Hickey, the author delves into how movies and TV shows impact various aspects of our lives, from our biology to our beliefs. One interesting example Hickey highlights is the film Top Gun, where several plot changes were made based on consultations with the Pentagon.

The producers of Top Gun approached the Pentagon to seek permission to use military resources such as aircraft and Navy bases at a reduced cost. The Navy agreed, as they saw this as an opportunity to portray Navy pilots in a positive light. However, there were certain conditions and adjustments requestedthe Pentagon.

One significant change was related to the character playedKelly McGillis, who had a romantic relationship with Tom Cruise’s character, Maverick. Originally, McGillis’s character was meant to be a Navy colleague of Maverick. However, the military deemed a romantic relationship between co-workers as unacceptable, so the character was rewritten as a contractor.

Additionally, the enemy in the film was initially intended to be North Korea. However, the North Korea desk at the Pentagon expressed their concerns and suggested a different country, such as Libya. Ultimately, to avoid giving any ideas to real-world leaders, it was decided to keep the enemy country nameless, referred to simply as “the enemy” in the script.

Hickey’s book also explores the impact of horror movies on our biology, as well as the connection between violent movies and violent crime. As the book delves into these topics, it provides valuable insights into how movies and TV Influence our lives on multiple levels.

Sources:
– “You Are What You Watch”Walter Hickey

The Influence of Movies and TV on Our Lives .

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