Stripes (1981)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Ivan Reitman

Writers:

Len Blum (writer) &
Daniel Goldberg (writer) ...

Release Date:

26 June 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

The story of a man who wanted to keep the world safe for democracy...and meet girls

Plot:

Two friends who are dissatisfied with their jobs decide to join the army for a bit of fun.

Plot Keywords:

Mortar | AWOL | Obstacle Course | Uniform | Repossession

Cast

Bill Murray	...	John Winger
Harold Ramis	...	Russell Ziskey
Warren Oates	...	Sgt. Hulka
P.J. Soles	...	MP Stella Hansen
Sean Young	...	MP Louise Cooper
John Candy	...	Pvt. Dewey 'Ox' Oxberger
John Larroquette	...	Capt. Stillman
John Voldstad	...	Cpl. Tyson - Stillman's Aide
John Diehl	...	Pvt. 'Cruiser'
Lance LeGault	...	Col. Glass
Roberta Leighton	...	Anita
Conrad Dunn	...	Pvt. Francis 'Psycho' Soyer
Judge Reinhold	...	Pvt. Elmo Blum
Antone Pagan	...	Hector
Glenn-Michael Jones	...	Leon

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality/nudity, language and some drug use. (extended edition)

Runtime:

106 min | Spain:117 min (extended version) | USA:126 min (extended version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:PG (Manitoba) (original rating) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) (original rating) | Finland:K-12 (cut) (1981) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (extended version) (2005) | Canada:14A (Manitoba/Ontario) (extended version) (2005) | Spain:13 | Finland:K-11 (uncut) (2005) | Iceland:L | Portugal:M/12 | Australia:M | Norway:16 (1981) | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Argentina:Atp | Peru:14

Filming Locations:

Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

John Winger's use of the phrase "We are the wretched refuse" to describe how the platoon was made up of men from around the world is a reference to a poem, "The New Colossus", by the nineteenth-century American poet Emma Lazarus. "The New Colossus", describing the Statue of Liberty, appears on a plaque at the base of the statue.

Goofs:

Continuity: The money on John's chest after the pushups.

Quotes:

John Winger: Come on. Let's take the truck.
Russell Ziskey: No.
John Winger: Yes.
Russell Ziskey: No.
John Winger: Yes.
Russell Ziskey: No.
John Winger: Yes.
Russell Ziskey: No.
John Winger: I'll drive.
Russell Ziskey: Okay.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Family Guy: Saving Private Brian (#5.4)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

RUBBERBAND MAN

Funny as hell!

Stripes is a raunchy, adult comedy from critically acclaimed producer/director Ivan Reitman (Evolution, Kindergarten Cop). And it stars Bill Murray (The Royal Tenenbaums), Harold Ramis (As Good as it Gets), John Candy (Uncle Buck), Warren Oates (True Grit).

Low life cab driver John Winger (Bill Murray) loses a lot in 2 hours. That is his job, his apartment, his girlfriend, his car. So, he decides that he's had enough of his pathetic life in New York, so he decides to join the army. He also talks his friend Russel Ziskey (Harold Ramis) into joining with him.

When they finally do join, they are both put into a platoon drilled by Sgt. Hulka (Warren Oates) who has his eye on John. They both go through weeks and weeks of hell by doing basic training and putting up with Sgt. Hulka. But, they full fill their goal by meeting Stella (P.J. Soles) and Louise (Sean Young), two beautiful MP's who have their eys on Russel and John.

As the story moves on, they go to battle in Germany and end up in more hilarious confilcts.

I must say, I think that Warren Oates was a perfect choice for Sgt. Hulka, and that he was so brilliant and funny with the character. I give him graditude. 1921-1982

This is not a movie for kids, but teens may enjoy it if they are looking for a hilarious comedy. STRIPES is 100% classic and comedy!