Speed (1994)

About Speed

Speed is a 1994 American action thriller film directed by Jan de Bont in his feature film directorial debut. The film stars Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, Sandra Bullock, Joe Morton, and Jeff Daniels. The film tells the story of an LAPD cop who tries to rescue civilians on a city bus rigged with a bomb programmed to explode if the bus slows below 50 mph. The officer must keep the speed above the limit, and figure out how to stop the bus before the bomb detonates.

Making/Production

The film was written by Graham Yost and produced by Mark Gordon. Principal photography took place in Los Angeles and the film was created under the banner of 20th Century Fox. It showcases some of the most intense stunt scenes filmed on the busy streets of LA.

Actors

• Keanu Reeves as Jack Traven: A young LAPD cop who does everything to keep the city safe. His heroic acts and relentless pursuit of the bad guys are commendable.
• Dennis Hopper as Howard Payne: The mastermind behind the bus bomb who keeps everyone on edge. His chilling portrayal of the villain is impressive.
• Sandra Bullock as Annie Porter: An unsuspecting civilian who gets caught up in the ordeal. Her performance is both funny and emotional, marking her breakthrough into stardom.
• Joe Morton as Lieutenant McMahon: Supporting Jack in his relentless pursuit, Joe Morton delivers a strong supporting performance.
• Jeff Daniels as Harry Temple: Jack's loyal partner who helps in trying to defuse the situation. His chemistry with Reeves is notable.

Trivia/Interesting Facts

• The film was originally offered to Stephen Baldwin and Ellen DeGeneres before Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock were cast.
• The bus jump scene was performed with real-life speed and no assistance from CGI.
• Inspired by a dream of a man chasing a bus, Graham Yost wrote the film's screenplay.
• Initially, the film's title was "Minimum Speed" mimicking "Minimum Wage".

Awards

The movie was a commercial success and won many awards. Among them, it bagged two Academy Awards for Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing.

Quotes

• "There is a bomb on this bus, if you go over 50 it arms, if you go under 50 it blows up! What do you do?" - Jack
• "Poor people are crazy Jack, I'm eccentric." - Howard
• "You're not gonna get mushy on me, are you?" - Annie

Music, Soundtrack

• Speed – Main Title
• Hostage
• Run-Away Bus
• Jack Shoots Payne
• Rush Hour
• Main Title (Rescue Version)
• Howard's End (Score featuring the unused end title)