WITH SPECIAL GUEST RICHARD GERE

FEATURED A NEW PRINT FROM THE ACADEMY FILM ARCHIVE

IN CELEBRATION OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES' 100TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR, THE ACADEMY PRESENTED ONE OF THE STUDIO'S MOST POPULAR FILMS OF THE EARLY 1980S.

Directed by Taylor Hackford from a script by Douglas Day Stewart, “An Officer and a Gentleman” tells the story of a young man’s journey to chart a different path in his life by enlisting in the Navy Aviation Officer Candidate School. Through the obstacles Zack Mayo faces along the way, including a budding romance with local girl Paula Pokrifki and an ongoing conflict with his drill instructor, Zack learns important life lessons about becoming an officer…and a gentleman. 

On the heels of his star-making role in “American Gigolo” (1980), Richard Gere solidifies his standing as a leading man in the role of Zack, while Debra Winger plays girlfriend Paula and Louis Gossett, Jr. delivers an Academy Award-winning performance as Sergeant Emil Foley. This great love story also boasts the Academy Award-winning song “Up Where We Belong,” with lyric by Will Jennings and music by Jack Nitzsche and Buffy Sainte-Marie. The song was performed by the legendary Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes. 

Lorimar Productions/Paramount Pictures. 125 minutes.

Academy Award winner: Actor in a Supporting Role (Louis Gossett, Jr.); Music – Original Song (“Up Where We Belong,” Music by Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Sainte-Marie; Lyric by Will Jennings)

Academy Award nominee: Actress in a Leading Role (Debra Winger); Film Editing (Peter Zinner); Music – Original Score (Nitzsche); Writing – Screenplay written directly for the screen (Douglas Day Stewart)