Before he introduced the world to Maverick and Goose, Tony Scott was just your average ad man—save for his exceptional talent. The director, who committed suicide, honed his creative skills at the advertising firm he founded with his filmmaker brother, Ridley Scott Associates. And he continued to team up with his famous sibling on ads throughout his career, directing the six inventive—and highly convincing—commercials featured here.
Marlboro Man Returns
From Top Gun to The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, Tony Scott always had a mind for masculine heroics. So it was only fitting that, in 2003, the director would resurrect the embodiment of manliness: the Marlboro man.
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BMW Wins Again
In a BMW drag race between James Brown, Marilyn Manson, and Clive Owen, it’s Scott who comes out the big winner. After this short promotional film for the luxury car company aired, the director rightfully took home a slew of awards, including the prestigious Cannes Titanium Lion.
Barclay’s Goes Big
Sure, Wall Street’s gotten a bad rap in the past few years, but after watching Scott’s 2000 commercial for Barclay’s, starring the esteemed Anthony Hopkins, you may fall in love with big banks all over again.
Mark Cuban Does the Diet Dew
Would you trade a private island for a pop? In Scott’s final commercial released before his death, billionaire Mark Cuban reveals just how much he’d do for a Dew—as long as it’s diet.
Dodge Revs Its Engines
In this 2008 spot, Scott applies his eye for macho-grit aesthetics to the road, using dirt and ten-gallon Stetsons to sell pickup trucks.
Scott’s Army of One
Scott’s no stranger to making the Armed Forces look cool—even without Tom Cruise. Watch this high-charged 2002 recruitment spot for the U.S. Army, which gives glory to the individual soldier.
