The Spirit of '76 (1990)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

Lucas Reiner

Writers:

Roman Coppola (story) &
Lucas Reiner (story) ...

Genre:

Comedy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

A close-up look at the most embarrassing decade in history.

Plot:

Future Americans decide to time travel to 1776 to ask the founding fathers for the solutions to their problems...

Plot Keywords:

Time Travel | 1976 | 1970s | Fad | Fourth Of July

Cast

Mark Mothersbaugh	...	Chevron-17 (as Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo)
Gerald V. Casale	...	Yale-44 (as Gerald V. Casale of Devo)
Carl Reiner	...	Dr. Von Mobil
Nancye Ferguson	...	Nurse
David Cassidy	...	Adam-11
Bob Casale	...	Ron-29 (as Bob Casale of Devo)
David Kendrick	...	Ron-31 (as David Kendrick of Devo)
Geoff Hoyle	...	Heinz-57
Olivia d'Abo	...	Chanel-6
Jeffrey McDonald	...	Chris Johnson (as Jeff McDonald of Redd Kross)
Steve McDonald	...	Tommy Sears (as Steve McDonald of Redd Kross)
Liam O'Brien	...	Rodney Snodgrass
Ann Block	...	Chris' Mom
Charles Dean	...	Chris' Dad
Martin von Haselberg	...	Agent 1 (as Martin Von Haselberg of The Kipper Kids)

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (MPAA rating: No. 30783)

Filming Locations:

Alameda, California, USA

Company:

Black Diamond Productions

Trivia:

Originally, Michael McKean was going to appear in the film.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Chris and Tommy have numerous patches sewn onto their jeans. One of the boys has a patch on his leg depicting Gene Simmons from his Kiss solo album. This film was set during the Bicentennial - 1976. The Kiss solo albums were released on September 18, 1978.

Quotes:

Miss Liberty: Let's take a look at the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, because in a sense that's where it all starts: A lie from the President to manipulate Congress in order to fund an undeclared war? Now not only does this render the Tripartite system functionally useless, but it's clearly a violation of the Oath of Office prescribed by the Constitution itself.

Movie Connections:

Version of Test Tube Teens from the Year 2000 (1994)

Soundtrack:

Boogie Fever

Horrible but fun, in a silly way,...

ONLY if you grew up during the 1970s.

David Cassidy (looking great), Olivia d'Abo (with English accent intact) and Geoff Hoyle (WHO???) travel from 2176 to 1976 by mistake. While there totally predictable "hilarity" ensures.

The jokes are horribly bad (there's not one good one!) and the story and dialogue are truly abysmal. Also it contains a character called Snodgrass (ho ho) who gives one of the worst performances in comedy history--his idea of acting is SCREAMING every line full force. Still, I (sort of) enjoyed it.

They caught the 70s dead on--as a child of the 70s I can attest to that! The fashions, the music, the cars, the horrible furniture and carpets--all perfect! For me it was a trip back to the past. Also, the cast gives their all to the awful script. And the movie does come to life in one sequence in which d'Abo and Leif Garrett (another 70s icon) do the Hustle! Boy, did that bring me back!

Worth seeing only for those who remember or lived through the 70s. All others--beware!