Speed (1994 film)

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:AI-generated Template:Infobox film

Speed is a 1994 American action thriller film directed by Jan de Bont in his feature directorial debut, and written by Graham Yost. Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, and Sandra Bullock star in the film, alongside Joe Morton and Jeff Daniels in supporting roles. The plot centers on a city bus rigged by a vengeful extortionist Howard Payne (Hopper) to explode if its speed drops below 50 miles per hour (80 km/h). Reeves plays LAPD officer Jack Traven, who is tasked with preventing the disaster, with Bullock portraying a passenger who becomes unexpectedly involved in the mission.

The film was inspired by both Runaway Train and the 1975 Japanese language action thriller film The Bullet Train.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Screenwriter Graham Yost was told by his father, Canadian television host Elwy Yost, about a 1985 film called Runaway Train starring Jon Voight, about a train that speeds out of control. Elwy mistakenly believed that the train's situation was due to a bomb on board: such a theme had in fact been used in The Bullet Train. After seeing the Voight film, Graham decided that it would have been better if there had been a bomb on board a bus with the bus being forced to travel at 20 mph to prevent an actual explosion. A friend suggested that this be increased to 50 mph.<ref>Empire – Special Collectors' Edition – The Greatest Action Movies Ever (published in 2001)</ref>

Speed premiered on June 10, 1994, by 20th Century Fox. The film was a sleeper hit, receiving positive reviews from critics and grossing $350 million worldwide against a $30–37 million budget, becoming the fifth-highest-grossing film of 1994. At the 67th Academy Awards, Speed won Best Sound. The film also won Best Sound and Best Editing at the 48th British Academy Film Awards.

A sequel, Speed 2: Cruise Control, was released on June 13, 1997, but performed poorly and was critically lambasted, receiving widespread criticism for Reeves's absence and the film's change in setting. It has gone down in record as being one of the worst sequels to a good movie.

Plot

LAPD SWAT bomb disposal officers Jack Traven and Harry Temple are tasked with preventing a bombing on a city elevator containing 13 people, masterminded by a vengeful extortionist, Howard Payne. After narrowly rescuing the passengers, the duo hunt down Payne, during which Harry is wounded to stop Payne from taking him hostage. Payne seemingly blows himself up while Jack and Harry are conferred medals in a ceremony. However, it is revealed that Payne has faked his death and has become personally bitter towards Jack. After destroying a bus to divert Jack's attention, Payne contacts him with a new scheme: a bomb planted on a second (city bus number 2525) city bus that will activate upon reaching 50 miles per hour (approximately 80 km/h) and detonate if the bus slows below 50 but is also set to go off sometime before noon. He also warns Jack not to offload anybody, otherwise the explosive will detonate.

Jack receives the ultimatum from Payne—$3.7 million in ransom or the bomb will go off. Racing through traffic, Jack gets a ride from a Jaguar owner named Maurice to warn the bus driver of the bomb. Realizing the vehicle has surpassed 50 and the bomb is already active, Jack boards the bus, but a felon's panic leads to the driver being shot; a passenger, Annie Porter, takes over the driving. With the bomb armed and passengers aware of the threat, Jack contacts Harry for help while trying to keep the bus moving. Payne agrees to allow the wounded driver to be handed to the paramedics as a sign of good faith. Annie's seatmate, Helen, panics and attempts to get off the bus, but Payne sets off a smaller bomb underneath the steps, sending Helen underneath the tires and killing her.

Despite Payne's constant surveillance, Jack and Annie maneuver the bus through several dangerous obstacles, including a gap in the freeway, and direct it to Los Angeles International Airport to prevent traffic issues. Meanwhile, Harry discovers Payne's identity as a former Atlanta Police Department bomb squad officer, who was placed on administrative leave after losing a thumb. The bomb's design reflects his long-lasting bitterness over being under-compensated with nothing but a "cheap gold watch". Harry leads a SWAT team to arrest him: however, Payne's house has been rigged with explosives and Harry dies along with his teammates in the blast.

In a last-ditch effort to defuse the bomb, Jack goes under the bus on a tethered roller bed, but the cable snaps due to damage sustained by the bus and he barely escapes. In the process, he punctures the fuel tank and the bus starts running out of petrol. Jack is left hopeless until he notices Payne is monitoring the bus through a hidden camera, allowing him to be one step ahead at every moment. By looping the surveillance footage Jack buys enough time for the passengers to escape, and the empty bus explodes while crashing into an empty cargo plane. While noticing the LAPD has made the delivery and are waiting to apprehend him, Payne sees the looped feed on the news and realizes that he has been bested by Jack again.

Before they can take Annie home, the SWAT team travels to the drop-off point and tries to keep her out of sight. Payne discovers this and kidnaps her while dressed as an officer. Jack discovers that Payne has used the trash can with the money to access the subway system below and chases him onto a train. Payne straps an explosive vest to Annie, but his plans unravel when he discovers an exploding dye pack in the duffel bag of money. Having been ultimately outsmarted yet again, Payne becomes completely enraged as he fights Jack on the train roof, eventually resulting in Payne's decapitation from an overhead sign. Jack deactivates the vest, but the train cannot be stopped because Payne has shot the controls. Jack instead accelerates the train, causing it to derail and crash onto Hollywood Boulevard. Jack and Annie emerge unscathed and share a kiss as onlookers watch in amazement.

Cast

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Production

Part of the film featured the bus making its way onto Interstate 110 through the traffic.

Writing

Screenwriter Graham Yost was inspired to write Speed after hearing about the 1985 film Runaway Train from his father, Canadian television host Elwy Yost. Elwy mistakenly believed the train's out-of-control situation was caused by a bomb,Template:Efn leading Graham to think that such a concept would work better on a bus. He initially envisioned a bomb that would detonate if the bus dropped below 20 mph, but a friend suggested revising the speed limit to 50 mph.<ref>Empire - Special Collectors' Edition - The Greatest Action Movies Ever (published in 2001)</ref> The film's ending was inspired by the 1976 film Silver Streak. Originally titled Minimum Speed, Yost renamed it Speed to avoid negative connotations associated with "minimum".<ref name="ew 20th yost">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Yost's initial draft had the entire film set on the bus, with no elevator or subway sequences. The bus was meant to drive around Dodger Stadium and ultimately crash into the Hollywood Sign.<ref name="ew 20th yost" /> After finishing the script, Yost presented it to Paramount Pictures, which showed interest and suggested John McTiernan to direct. However, McTiernan declined, feeling the script was too similar to Die Hard (1988), and recommended Jan de Bont instead. De Bont, who had been the director of photography for action films like Die Hard and The Hunt for Red October (1990), agreed to direct. Michael Bay had also expressed interest in directing.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Paramount ultimately passed on the project, believing audiences wouldn't want to watch a film set almost entirely on a bus. Yost and de Bont then pitched the film to 20th Century Fox, who agreed to green-light the project but requested additional action sequences beyond the bus.<ref name="poststar">Template:Cite news</ref> De Bont suggested starting the movie with a bomb on an elevator, drawing from his own experience of being trapped in an elevator while working on Die Hard.<ref name="poststar" /> Yost used this opening to establish the cleverness of LAPD SWAT officer Jack Traven, inspired by Perseus' deception with Medusa.<ref name="ew 20th yost" /> De Bont also suggested concluding the film with a subway sequence to provide a final twist, which Fox approved.<ref name="ew 20th yost" /><ref name="poststar" />

Joss Whedon was brought in a week before filming began to rework the dialogue and improve the script. Whedon made significant contributions, including transforming Jack Traven's character from a maverick hotshot into a more earnest and polite officer, removing forced one-liners, and creating the iconic line, "Pop quiz, hotshot."<ref name="ew 20th yost" /><ref name="Kozak">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Gerosa">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Whedon also reworked minor characters, such as turning Doug Stephens (Alan Ruck) from an unpleasant lawyer into a hapless tourist.<ref name="Kozak" /> Additionally, the character of Harry Temple was originally intended to be the film's villain, but once Dennis Hopper was cast as Howard Payne, this role was adjusted, and Temple's character remained non-complicit.<ref name="ew 20th yost" />

Casting

When Speed was under development at Paramount Pictures, Jeff Speakman was originally attached to star in the lead role. However, after the project was acquired by 20th Century Fox, Speakman was dropped.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Stephen Baldwin was initially offered the role of Jack Traven but declined, citing the character's similarity to John McClane from Die Hard (1988).<ref name="Gerosa" /> Richard Grieco also turned down the role, later expressing regret over his decision.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other actors considered for the part included Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Wesley Snipes, and Woody Harrelson.<ref name="ew 20th yost" /> Director Jan de Bont ultimately cast Keanu Reeves after seeing his performance in Point Break (1991), believing that Reeves projected a balance of vulnerability and strength.<ref name="Gerosa" /> Reeves underwent physical training and cut his hair short for the role, a decision that initially concerned the studio.<ref name="Gerosa" /> He also starred in River's Edge (1986) with Hooper.

The character of Annie was originally written as an African American paramedic to justify her ability to drive the bus. The role was first offered to Halle Berry, who declined, but later expressed regret over her decision.<ref name="ew 20th yost" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As the character evolved into a comic relief sidekick, Ellen DeGeneres was considered for the part.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Eventually, the role was rewritten as a love interest for Jack Traven, leading to the casting of Sandra Bullock. Bullock auditioned alongside Reeves to ensure their on-screen chemistry, which involved performing physically demanding scenes.<ref name="Svetkey">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Meryl Streep, Kim Basinger, and Anne Heche were also offered or considered for the role but declined.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Filming

Principal photography for Speed commenced on September 7, 1993, and concluded on December 23, 1993, in Los Angeles. Director Jan de Bont used an 80-foot model of a 50-story elevator shaft for the film's opening sequence.<ref name="McCabe">Template:Cite news</ref> During production, River Phoenix, a close friend of actor Keanu Reeves, died.<ref name="Gerosa" /> In response, de Bont adjusted the shooting schedule to accommodate Reeves, giving him less demanding scenes. De Bont noted that the loss deeply affected Reeves, making him quieter and emotionally withdrawn. Initially hesitant about the film's action sequences, Reeves expressed to de Bont, "I'm not an action hero. I don't like it. I don't know how to do it," which de Bont saw as an advantage, believing it paralleled Reeves' character, who was thrust into an extraordinary situation.<ref name="Gerosa" /> As production progressed, Reeves became more involved with his stunts, even secretly rehearsing the Jaguar-to-bus jump, which he later performed himself, against de Bont's disapproval.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The production used eleven GM New Look buses (TDH-5303) and three Grumman 870 buses.<ref name="Hemmings18">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Two of these buses were destroyed in explosions, while others were adapted for specific scenes, including high-speed sequences, interior shots, and "under bus" scenes. The bus jump scene was filmed in one take using a specially rigged bus equipped with a ramp to allow for lift-off. The driver was suspended in a shock-absorbing harness to prevent injury during the landing.<ref name="MakingOff">Template:Cite video</ref> The film's fictionalized bus route, "33 Downtown", was modeled after the real-life Big Blue Bus serving Santa Monica.<ref name="Hemmings18" /> One of the buses used in the film was auctioned for $102,000 in 2018.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Eleven GM New Look buses were used to represent the bus in the film. Displayed at Tokyo Comic Con 2024.

Many of the freeway scenes were shot on California's Interstate 105 and Interstate 110, specifically at the Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange, which was under construction at the time of filming. De Bont noticed unfinished sections of the freeway during a location scout and suggested adding a bus jump to the script.<ref name="McCabe" /> The scene where the bus jumps over an incomplete freeway was achieved using a ramp to give the vehicle the necessary lift.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Computer-generated imagery (CGI) was later used to create the appearance of a gap in the freeway, aided by Sony Pictures Imageworks.<ref name="MakingOff" /> A 2009 episode of MythBusters tested the feasibility of the bus jump and concluded that it was impossible under real-world conditions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

De Bont revealed in a DVD commentary that the bus jump stunt did not go as planned on the first attempt. The stunt driver missed the ramp, damaging the bus beyond repair. A second bus was prepared, and a successful jump was filmed two days later, although it traveled further than expected and destroyed one of the cameras set up to capture the landing. Fortunately, another camera, placed 90 feet from the jump ramp, recorded the stunt.

The film's final scenes were shot at Mojave Airport, which stood in for Los Angeles International Airport. Shots of the LACMTA Metro Red Line during the film's climactic subway sequence were created using an 1/8 scale model, except for the train derailment jump.<ref name="MakingOff" />

The MD520N helicopter featured in the film, registration N599DB, was later sold to the Calgary Police Service in 1995 and remained in use until 2006, after which it was sold to a private owner.<ref name="helis">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Reception

Box office

Speed was released on June 10, 1994, in 2,138 theaters across the United States and Canada. It debuted at number 1 at the US box-office, surpassing The Flintstones and City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold, and grossing $14.5 million in its opening weekend.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Speed held the number one position for a week before being overtaken by Wolf, generating $12.9 million in its second weekend.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> In its third weekend, despite the debut of The Lion King, the film retained second place at the box office, collecting an additional $12.4 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It enjoyed prolonged success in international markets, staying number one for 8 consecutive weeks in Australia and 10 weeks in Japan.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The film set opening records for 20th Century Fox in South Korea with $216,077; Brazil with $669,725; and South Africa with $267,140.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Overall, Speed grossed $121.3 million in the United States and Canada, with an additional $229.2 million internationally, for a total worldwide gross of $350.5 million. This far exceeded its production budget, estimated between $30 million and $37 million.<ref name="mojo">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Hurtling to the Top: A Director Is Born" /><ref name="PeterBartHollywood" /> The film remained Sandra Bullock's highest-grossing film until Gravity surpassed it in 2013.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Speed holds a 95% approval rating based on 79 reviews, with an average rating of 8.10/10. The site's consensus reads, "A terrific popcorn thriller, Speed is taut, tense, and energetic, with outstanding performances from Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper and Sandra Bullock."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 78 out of 100, based on 17 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="CinemaScore">Template:Cite web</ref>

Roger Ebert of The Chicago Sun-Times awarded the film 4 out of 4 stars, describing it as "manic exhilaration" and praised Reeves's transition into a credible action hero, while also commending Hopper's performance as the film's villain.<ref name="Ebert">Template:Cite news</ref> On their TV show, Ebert's colleague Gene Siskel praised Reeves as "absolutely compelling" and said that "all of the sequences work." Both critics enthusiastically agreed that the film was "a lot of fun."<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone remarked that "Speed works like a charm," highlighting its entertainment value.<ref name="Travers">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Janet Maslin of The New York Times praised Hopper's portrayal of "crazy menace" and noted the film's swift pacing, which left little room for character development but maintained momentum.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave the film an "A" rating, lauding director Jan de Bont's craftsmanship, and Richard Schickel of Time noted the film's ability to tap into common anxieties, calling it an effective thriller.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

The film has also received long-term recognition. Quentin Tarantino named Speed as one of the top 20 films he had seen between 1992 and 2009.<ref>Quentin Tarantino's Favourite Movies from 1992 to 2009... Template:Webarchive Quentin Tarantino interview Sky Movies at 4:30 via YouTube</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Entertainment Weekly ranked the film eighth on its list of "The Best Rock-'em, Sock-'em Movies of the Past 25 Years."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Empire included Speed in its "500 Greatest Movies of All Time" list in 2008, ranking it #451.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2017, BBC's Mark Kermode revisited the film and declared it a "timeless masterpiece," praising its enduring appeal as an action classic.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2025, The Hollywood Reporter listed Speed as having the best stunts of 1994.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Home media

Accolades

Year-end lists

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Awards

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Association Ceremony Date Category Recipient Results
Awards Circuit Community Awards 1994 Best Stunt Ensemble Gary Hymes
Eddie Matthews
William Morts
Jimmy Ortega
Brian Smrz 		Template:WON
Best Film Editing John Wright Template:Nominated
Best Achievement in Sound David McMillan Template:Nominated
Best Visual Effects Boyd Shermis Template:Nominated
Honorable Mentions Jan de Bont Template:WON
Academy Awards March 27, 1995 Best Film Editing John Wright Template:Nominated
Best Sound Gregg Landaker
Steve Maslow
Bob Beemer
David MacMillan 		Template:WON
Best Sound Effects Editing Stephen Hunter Flick Template:WON
American Cinema Editors Awards 1995 Best Edited Feature Film John Wright Template:Nominated
BAFTA Awards 1995 Best Sound Stephen Hunter Flick
Gregg Landaker
Steve Maslow
Bob Beemer
David MacMillan 		Template:WON
Best Special Visual Effects Boyd Shermis
John Frazier
Ron Brinkman
Richard E. Hollander 		Template:Nominated
Best Editing John Wright Template:WON
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards 1995 Favorite Actress - Action/Adventure Sandra Bullock Template:WON
BMI Film & TV Awards 1995 BMI Film Music Award Mark Mancina Template:WON
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 1995 Most Promising Actress Sandra Bullock Template:Nominated
Cinema Audio Society Awards 1995 Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing
for Feature Films 		Gregg Landaker
Steve Maslow
Bob Beemer
David MacMillan 		Template:Nominated
Edgar Allan Poe Awards 1995 Best Motion Picture Graham Yost Template:Nominated
Golden Camera Awards 1995 Golden Screen Template:N/a Template:WON
Japan Academy Prize Awards 1995 Best Foreign Film Template:N/a Template:Nominated
Jupiter Awards 1994 Best International Actress Sandra Bullock Template:WON
Motion Picture Sound Editors Awards 1995 Best Sound Editing - Sound Effects & Foley,
Domestic Feature Film 		Stephen Hunter Flick
Donald Flick
David E. Stone
Eric Potter
Paul Berolzheimer
David Bartlett
John Dunn
Patricio A. Libenson
Dean Beville
John T. Cucci
Ken Dufva
Judee Flick
Avram D. Gold
Warren Hamilton Jr.
Greg Hedgepath
Dean Manly
Dan O'Connell
Catherine Rowe
Joan Rowe
Kirk Schuler
Bruce Stubblefield
Solange S. Schwalbe 		Template:WON
MTV Movie + TV Awards June 10, 1995 Best Movie Template:N/a Template:Nominated
Best Male Performance Keanu Reeves Template:Nominated
Best Female Performance Sandra Bullock Template:WON
Best On-Screen Duo Keanu Reeves
Sandra Bullock 		Template:WON
Best Kiss Template:Nominated
Most Desirable Male Keanu Reeves Template:Nominated
Most Desirable Female Sandra Bullock Template:WON
Best Villain Dennis Hopper Template:WON
Best Action Sequence -
for the bus escape/airplane explosion 		Template:N/a Template:WON
Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards May 20, 1995 Favorite Movie Template:N/a Template:Nominated
Favorite Movie Actor Keanu Reeves Template:Nominated
Favorite Movie Actress Sandra Bullock Template:Nominated
Nikkan Sports Film Awards 1995 Best Foreign Film Template:N/a Template:WON
Saturn Awards June 26, 1995 Best Action/Adventure-Thriller Film Template:N/a Template:Nominated
Best Director Jan de Bont Template:Nominated
Best Actress Sandra Bullock Template:WONTemplate:Efn

American Film Institute recognition:

Music

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Soundtrack

A soundtrack album featuring "songs from and inspired by" the film was released on June 28, 1994, with the following tracks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The soundtrack was commercially successful in Japan, being certified gold by the RIAJ in 2002.<ref name="RIAJ-apr2002">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Score

Michael Kamen was initially considered to compose the score of the movie. However, De Bont chose Mark Mancina, who at the time worked in some Hans Zimmer scores like Days of Thunder, Where Sleeping Dogs Lie and True Romance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In addition to the soundtrack release, a separate album featuring 40 minutes of Mark Mancina's score from the film was released on August 30, 1994, by 20th Century Fox Film Scores.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

La-La Land Records and Fox Music released a limited expanded version of Mark Mancina's score on February 28, 2012.<ref name="auto">Template:Cite web</ref> The newly remastered release features 69:25 of music spread over 32 tracks (in chronological order). In addition, it includes the song "Speed" by Billy Idol.<ref name="auto"/>

Sequel

Template:Main On June 13, 1997, Speed 2: Cruise Control, a sequel to Speed, was released to overwhelming negative reviews and poor box-office performance. Sandra Bullock reprised her role as Annie, reportedly in exchange for financial backing on another project, but Keanu Reeves declined to return as Jack Traven. As a result, Jason Patric was cast as Alex Shaw, Annie's new boyfriend, with the storyline explaining that she and Jack had broken up due to her concerns over Jack's dangerous profession. Willem Dafoe portrayed the villain, John Geiger, while Glenn Plummer, who played a carjacking victim in the first film, made a cameo as the same character, this time involved with a boat. Speed 2 is widely regarded as one of the worst sequels ever made, holding a 4% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 71 reviews.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Legacy

  • The level "Velocity" in the video game Pursuit Force is an adaptation of the main premise of the movie, inasmuch as both feature a police officer rescuing hostages from a bomb-rigged bus that will explode if it slows down.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • A sequence in the 1997 anime film Detective Conan: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper involves a train on the city's "loop line" being threatened by bombs that will detonate should the speed of the train go under 60 kmph. The bombs are revealed to have sensors that react to sunlight, so each time a train passes over one at full speed, it does so with just enough time to reset the bombs countdown timers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

  • The Doomsday Flight, a 1966 TV-movie in which a bomb will explode if a plane descends to land.
  • The Bullet Train, a 1975 film in which a bomb will explode on a train if its speed falls below 50 miles per hour.

Notes

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References

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