I was about 13 when it came out. Watching some clips recently, it’s exactly as I remember it. I can confirm that it feels slow to start. I think most movies used to take a good 15 minutes to get going. These days they’re very out-of-the-gate.

I’m one of the cult followers I guess. It’s a shame to me that it never got a sequel. It’s fun pulp fiction in the style of Indiana Jones.

For the record: it holds up brilliantly.

James Hornet’s score alone is worth the ride — still used as a primary temp track for figuring out the edits of new movies.

Effects are the best practical work has to offer.

Timothy Dalton as Errol Flynn with an Aryan secret is phenomenal, having the most fun of his career. Jennifer Connelly is a full on movie star hitting her stride. Alan Arkin at his peak grumpy old man stage. And Billy Campbell deserved a better career.

And the story is pure old fashioned American underdog finds a unique advantage and uses it to take on the bad guys to save the girl. It’s damn near perfect tbh.

Seconding the great score.

Don't forget the poster, by John Mattos! One of the finest movie posters ever: http://www.johnmattos.com/film.php

Detail: https://www.artcenter.edu/gallery/detail/569d6e434d9b6f9a563...

I emailed him a while back, and he told me the original artwork wasn't in his possession, and he had no idea where it was...

And Terry O'Quinn as the eccentric millionaire aviator inventor.