When brilliant video game maker Flynn hacks the mainframe of his ex-employer, he is beamed inside an astonishing digital world and becomes part of the very game he is designing. In his mission through cyberspace, Flynn matches wits with a maniacal Master Control Program and teams up with Tron, a security measure created to bring balance to the digital environment.
Practical Effects
Hand-painted backlit costumes—zero CGI, all analog magic.
Production
Disney gambled $17M on a movie about video games. In 1982.
Direction
Lisberger convinced studios with a 30-second test reel of frisbee combat.
Director
Steven Lisberger
Jeff Bridges
Kevin Flynn / Clu
Bruce Boxleitner
Alan Bradley / Tron
David Warner
Ed Dillinger / Sark
Cindy Morgan
Lora / Yori
Barnard Hughes
Dr. Walter Gibbs / Dumont
Dan Shor
Ram
Peter Jurasik
Crom
Vince Deadrick Jr.
Warrior #2
Jackson Bostwick
Head Guard
David S. Cass Sr.
Factory Guard
Gerald Berns
Guard #1
Bob Neill
Guard #2
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'computer world' was shot entirely in black-and-white on 65mm film, then hand-colored frame by frame with backlit animation.
Tron was snubbed for a Visual Effects Oscar because the Academy thought using computers was 'cheating'—the irony is delicious.
US
