In the late 1940s, engineer Preston Tucker attempts to release an innovative and safer automobile, and is met with resistance from his own company as well as the "Big Three" car manufacturers.
Director Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now) had been fascinated with the story of Preston Tucker since childhood. His original concept involved an experimental musical film, and collaborations began with Singin' In The Rain writers Betty Comden and Adolph Green, as well as West Side Story composer Leonard Bernstein. Unfortunately, multiple box office failures caused Coppola's independent studio to file for bankruptcy, and the project was abandoned.
In the mid 1980s, Coppola's friend George Lucas encouraged a revival of the feature, offering assistance with his own production and post-production companies. When the duo was unable to secure their preferred budget from any major studio, Lucas elected to fund the film himself to the tune of $24 million. This newer incarnation of the project was without songs, and conceived as an homage to the Americana films of Frank Capra (It's A Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington).
The cast is headed by Jeff Bridges, who was able to research the title character through home movies and wardrobe provided by the family. He's joined by Martin Landau (Ed Wood), Christian Slater, Joan Allen, Dean Stockwell, Coppola stock actor Frederic Forrest, and his own father Lloyd Bridges.
The film was shot mostly in and around Marin County (where Lucas' Skywalker Ranch was situated), subbing for Detroit and other locations. Behind the camera was 3-time Oscar-winner Vittorio Storaro (Apocalypse Now, Reds). Many current Tucker automobile owners lent their cars for use in the production.
While the film received mostly positive reviews, it only did moderate business. It received Academy Award nominations for Landau's performance, the production design, and the costume design.
Running time is approx. 2 hrs.
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