Stripes (1981)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Ivan Reitman

Writers:

Len Blum (written by) &
Daniel Goldberg (written by) ...

Release Date:

26 June 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | War

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:

Czechoslovakia | Army | Basic Training | Graduation | Sergeant

Cast

Bill Murray	...	John
Harold Ramis	...	Russell
Warren Oates	...	Sgt. Hulka
P.J. Soles	...	Stella
Sean Young	...	Louise
John Candy	...	Ox
John Larroquette	...	Capt. Stillman
John Voldstad	...	Stillman's Aide
John Diehl	...	Cruiser
Lance LeGault	...	Col. Glass
Roberta Leighton	...	Anita
Conrad Dunn	...	Psycho
Judge Reinhold	...	Elmo
Antone Pagan	...	Hector
Glenn-Michael Jones	...	Leon

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

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

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian | Polish

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 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:

According to Ivan Reitman, Bill Murray insisted 'Harold Ramis (I)' be cast as his friend for two reasons: 1. They were long time friends in real life. 2. So Ramis could help Murray re-write his dialog or help him improvise.

Goofs:

Continuity: Position of John's pack and cap when he's stopped from going AWOL by Russell.

Quotes:

John Winger: [busting himself in the crotch with a suitcase] Oh, my balls! OH, MY BALLS!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 'Old School' Orientation (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

RUBBERBAND MAN

Military Hi-Jinks.

Losers Bill Murray and Harold Ramis think that joining the U.S. Army will be little more than a needed vacation, a place to avoid work and meet women. However they are in for a rude awakening in this hilarious film that does admittedly lose its way in its final act, but is still overall a good little movie experience. Warren Oates steals every scene as their hard-nosed and down-right rough drill sergeant. 3.5 out of 5 stars.