Over the Top is a 1987 dramatic film starring Sylvester Stallone, produced and directed by Menahem Golan about a long haul truck driver who tries to win back his alienated son while becoming a champion arm wrestler. The screenplay was written by Stirling Silliphant and Sylvester Stallone. The original music score is composed by Giorgio Moroder.
Plot summary
Lincoln Hawk is a struggling trucker who arm wrestles on the side to make extra cash while trying to rebuild his life. Hawk's wife Christina is very ill at the beginning of the film, and asks that Hawk pick up their son Michael from military school so that he may get to know his son; Hawk left them 10 years earlier. His father-in-law Jason Cutler, who hates Hawk, says that Hawk has no right to be in his grandson's life.
Over the course of a cross country trip, Mike comes to trust his father until learning about his mother's death. Feeling he would have been there with her if not for Hawk, he leaves for his grandfather's estate. The film continues with Mike realizing that Cutler has been hiding the truth about his father - Cutler did everything possible to drive his parents apart and has been intercepting and hiding the regular letters Hawk had written to his son over the last few years. Eventually, Lincoln competes in the world arm wrestling competition, held at the Las Vegas Hilton. His hope is to win the grand prize of an expensive, new semi-truck and thus be able to start his own independent trucking business. Mike, stunned by his grandfather's deceptions, goes to the Hilton and finds Hawk. Apologizing for misjudging him, Mike gives Hawk the emotional support he needs to compete and he emerges from the contest victorious. As father and son celebrate, Cutler (who had followed Mike to the competition) looks on in silence, realizing he has lost any chance at regaining Mike's love.
Production
Filming locations
The military academy scenes were filmed at Pomona College in Claremont, California during the early summer of 1986. The Kirkeby mansion at 750 Bel Air Road, Los Angeles (also the home of the Clampett family on the CBS comedy "The Beverly Hillbillies") was used as the home for Jason Cutler and Michael Cutler (Hawk).
Inconsistencies
There is some confusion over the actual name of Stallone's character. In the credits, he is listed as Lincoln Hawk. In addition, the door on his original truck says, "Hawk." However, Robert Loggia's character refers to him variously as Hawks and Hawk[1], as do many members of the supporting cast. Finally, Hawk writes a letter to his wife and addresses it to Christina Hawks.
Cast
Soundtrack
A soundtrack album was released in 1987 to coincide with the release of the movie. It contains music from Frank Stallone, Kenny Loggins (who performs the film's central theme, "Meet Me Half Way"), Eddie Money, and Sammy Hagar.
Track listing:
- "Winner Takes It All" - Sammy Hagar
- "In This Country" - Robin Zander
- "Take It Higher" - Larry Greene
- "All I Need Is You" - Big Trouble
- "Bad Nite" - Frank Stallone
- "Meet Me Half Way" - Kenny Loggins
- "Gypsy Soul" - Asia
- "The Fight (Instrumental)" - Giorgio Moroder
- "Mind Over Matter" - Larry Greene
- "I Will Be Strong" - Eddie Money
John Wetton, lead singer of the rock group Asia, sang "Winner Takes It All" for the movie, but after performing the song, it was felt that his voice wasn't "mean" enough, so the song was offered to Sammy Hagar, whose version ended up being the one on the soundtrack.
References
External links
