“Hidden Fury: The Revenge You Missed”
Welcome to The Best Movie You NEVER Saw
This column shines a light on films that have slipped under the radar, finding their place as cult classics or underrated gems—movies that were perhaps ahead of their time or have matured like fine wine.
Today, we’re revisiting the 1990 thriller Revenge, directed by the late Tony Scott. As we mark the anniversary of Scott’s passing on August 19th, it feels fitting to explore one of his lesser-known works. Despite its obscurity, Quentin Tarantino, who penned the Scott classic True Romance, has dubbed this film Scott’s masterpiece.
THE STORY
Revenge follows Michael Cochran (Kevin Costner), a retired Naval aviator who visits his old friend, Tibey Mendez (Anthony Quinn), at his lavish Mexican hacienda. Naively, Cochran fails to question Tibey’s influential connections or the source of his wealth. When Cochran embarks on a passionate affair with Tibey’s stunning, much-younger wife, Miryea (Madeleine Stowe), he quickly discovers that crossing Tibey comes with dire consequences.
THE PLAYERS
- Starring: Kevin Costner, Anthony Quinn, Madeleine Stowe
- Written by: Jim Harrison & Jeffrey Alan Fiskin
- Directed by: Tony Scott
THE HISTORY
I often receive feedback from readers who feel the films featured in this column aren’t obscure enough. Fair point! While my goal has always been to encourage a second look at overlooked films, this week’s selection might truly be one many haven’t seen. Revenge tanked at the box office but gained some recognition when Scott released an unrated director’s cut Blu-ray shortly before his untimely death.
Released in early 1990, Revenge occupies a unique space in the careers of both Scott and Costner. Scott was coming off blockbuster successes like Top Gun and Beverly Hills Cop II and would soon team up again with producer Don Simpson for Days of Thunder. Meanwhile, Costner was riding high from hits like The Untouchables, Bull Durham, and Field of Dreams. This film sought to reposition him as a more edgy male lead, but audiences were still drawn to his heroic roles, a trend that would continue with his own Dances with Wolves, released the same year.
As Tony Scott himself put it, “It’s a story about this forbidden love and their insatiable desire. That’s the focus, and it’s been a big part of my life. The insatiable desire, that’s what this movie is about.”
So, if you haven’t yet experienced Revenge, it might be time to dive into this intense, passionate thriller.
