Tom Cruise surprised a crowd at a screening of Top Gun: Maverick and ended up teaching a film lesson, of course

Tom Cruise has always been more than one of best actors of the 80s-became modern action movie icons. He’s also a lover of cinema, a champion of the theatrical experience and a master of providing his fans with memorable moments, like this year’s. iconic Olympic entrance waterfall. His last surprise appearance during a Top Gun: Maverick the screening at the Royal Albert Hall in London proved it. Not only did he thrill the audience, but, in classic Cruise fashion, he gave an impromptu history lesson on film and music because, of course, he did.

Always eager to share his knowledge, the A-lister appeared at a Nonconformist screening organized at the Royal Albert Hall in London with a live orchestra. Some of the participants took to X to post about their experience, sharing their feelings of excitement. Based on their comments, the 2,900 spectators really didn’t know that the star would show up at the 2022 special screening. box office heavyweight.

By a report (via Weekly Entertainment)THE Risky business The actor’s unannounced visit began with a deep dive into the evolution of live music in cinema. He began by explaining how live orchestral performances have been a part of the cinematic experience since the early 20th century. THE Mummy The star said this to the waiting audience:

Live music has been available to accompany silent films since the films were first shown in vaudeville theaters more than 120 years ago.

Tom Cruise then traced the origins of film-synchronized orchestras, explaining how this tradition began around 1914 and became essential in enhancing the grandeur of movie palaces during the silent film era. THE Jerry Maguire The star’s passion for cinema was palpable as he explained how leitmotifs (musical themes associated with characters or ideas) revolutionized cinematic storytelling:

And the use of leitmotifs redefined cinematic storytelling, and large symphony orchestras became a necessity in posh movie palaces. It therefore set the standard for the pinnacle of theatrical greatness at that time. The era of silent cinema lasted about 30 years until 1927, the arrival of talking cinema and orchestras now performed the music, which was coupled with the image itself. Today, this development sets a new standard for the ultimate theatrical experience in this era.

The 62-year-old Hollywood legend finished his masterclass in film history by demonstrating how much he loves what he does and how much he understands the power of cinema to connect with audiences:

The power of music and its use in cinema to deepen our experience of the story and our connection with the characters is absolutely magical… And for the music that you will hear live tonight, I would like to personally thank the extraordinary talents of ‘Harold Faltermeyer, Hans Zimmer, Lady Gaga, OneRepublic and the gentleman here tonight who also produced the music, Lorne Balfe. I would also like to thank the orchestra this evening and all of your exceptional talents.

It wasn’t just a typical movie promotion moment, to say the least. THE Jack Reacher The veteran’s comments showed his sincere appreciation for every element of the filmmaking process, especially when it came to the sound and music that helped shape Top Gun: Maverick.

We really shouldn’t be surprised by these comments from Tom Cruise, given what we know about him so far. His commitment to the film industry and the art of cinema is matched by very few of his peers. It’s honestly inspiring that he not only wants audiences to enjoy feature films, but also understand the artistry that goes into making them. One would hope that other stars would take inspiration from him in this regard.

For fans who had gathered for what they thought would be a standard live music screening, it appears that this unexpected conference was an unforgettable experience. THE Mission: Impossible The role model’s presence instantly elevated the evening, and his thoughtful words only reinforced why he has long been one of Hollywood’s most beloved figures. Hopefully this isn’t the last time the icon decides to share his cinematic wisdom.

Fans can rewatch Top Gun: Maverick–without a live orchestra and Tom Cruise waxing poetic about cinema history–by releasing it with a Paramount+ Subscription. Cruise will be the next star of the next Mission: Impossible 8which should reach the 2025 film program on May 23.