Stripes Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
The story of a man who wanted to keep the world safe for democracy...and meet girls
When New York City cab driver John Winger is fired from his job, his car is repossessed, he loses his apartment, and his girlfriend leaves him — all in the same day — John and his best friend Russell Ziskey decide to join the army. After enlisting, John and Russell are sent to Fort Arnold to undergo basic training under tough drill sergeant Hulka. Hulka is injured by a mortar bomb during basic training, and John has to lead the group in completing their training on their own. After graduation, General Barnicke Assigns Winger, Ziskey, and their platoon to Fort Milano, Italy, to man the EM-50 urban assault vehicle. By this time, sergeant Hulka has recovered from his injuries and has rejoined John, Russell, and the other men. When John and Russell decide to take the EM50 to Germany to pick up their girlfriends, MPs Stella Hansen and Louise Cooper, for a night on the town, the rest of the platoon searches for them because Captain Stillman wants the EM-50 to be put back where it was at. While searching for the EM-50, Stillman and the unit are captured by hostile Russian troops, who take them into Czechoslovakia. Now John, Russell, Stella, and Louise must venture into Czechoslovakia and rescue the guys.
| Bill Murray | John Winger |
| Harold Ramis | Russell Ziskey |
| Warren Oates | Sgt. Hulka |
| P.J. Soles | Stella Hansen |
| Sean Young | Louise Cooper |
| John Candy | Dewey 'Ox' Oxberger |
| John Larroquette | Capt. Stillman |
| John Voldstad | Corporal, Stillman's aide |
| John Diehl | Cruiser |
| Lance LeGault | Col. Glass |
| Roberta Leighton | Anita |
| Conrad Dunn | Francis 'Psycho' Soyer |
| Judge Reinhold | Elmo |
| Antone Pagan | Hector |
| Glenn-Michael Jones | Leon |
| Ivan Reitman |
6.80 out of 10 (12796 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Very dissapointing!
posted on 19 Jul 2009I don't know where to start. I saw this movie for the first time tonight (ok I know I'm slow) and had extremely high expectations! Loving the Police Academy films, and having heard that those were only COPIES of this fantastic film, I couldn't wait. And the cast? This was bound to be a great movie. Growing up in the 80's I love Bill Murray (Ghostbusters I&II, Groundhog Day and I even enjoyed him in Space Jam and Osmosis Jones), but this boring old thing? No.The start of the movie is so slooooow and serious, but I thought to myself; "Just hold on, it will get better". But it didn't. And comedy? Not much to laugh about here. I mean the scene in the toilet were Winger and the Seargent "fights"?! Not funny but serious!And what's with the nudity? It has no place in this movie. Like the scenes were the captain watches girls shower, and the whole strip-club thing...? Foolish!And the last third of the movie takes it all to a whole different level. It's silly, but still not funny. Police Academy is way funnier than this. And what makes the film even worse, are all the countless goofs which can be detected throughout the movie, even when you watch it for the first time!So if you're reading this and haven't seen this movie, you really do not have to bother. Despite of the reputation as being one of the best comedies of the 80's (Lord, have mercy) and despite the good cast, the movie is bad. I can not recommend it. 3 out of 10
Hilarious! A must-see for any potential recruit.
posted on 13 Jul 2009Probably the funniest service comedy ever made, stacks up beautifully with such films as "No Time for Sergeants," "Mister Roberts," and Abbott & Costello's riotous "Buck Privates." This is the picture that boosted recruitment for months and made stars out of John Larroquette (sp?) and John Candy. I won't summarize the picture; we've all seen it, some of us over & over & over again.Look for bravura performances by John Larroquette as Capt. Stillman (this is the role that brought him to the attention of the producers of "Night Court" and gave birth to D.A. Dan Fielding), Warren Oates as Sergeant Hulka ("You don't say 'sir' to me; I'm a sergeant. I work for a living."), and John Candy (his big-screen debut) as Dewey Oxburger. If you're thinking of joining the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines; see this movie first. .."That's the fact, Jack!"
With These Guys on the Front Lines...
posted on 01 Jul 2009In one of his funniest comedies, Bill Murray takes on the U.S. Army, and without question, with guys like this on the front lines, we can all sleep a little easier at night. `Stripes,' directed by Ivan Reitman, is the story of John Winger (Murray), who in one day loses his girl, his job, his car and his apartment. So what's a guy to do after that, but join the Army? But he doesn't go alone, oh no-- he also talks his best friend, Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis) into joining with him. And just like that they find themselves at boot camp, face to face with one of the most formidable Drill Instructors every to grace the silver screen, Sergeant Hulka (Warren Oates), and surrounded by as motley a group of raw recruits as anyone could imagine.
Among them, there's Dewey Oxburger (John Candy), known as `Ox,' who plans to emerge from boot camp a `lean, mean fighting machine'; and `Cruiser (John Diehl),' who joined up to beat the draft (Hulka: `Son, there isn't a draft, anymore.' Cruiser: `There was one?'); and Francis Soyer (George Jenesky), known as `Psycho' (`Call me Francis, and I'll kill you. Touch my stuff, and I'll kill you. Touch me...and I'll kill you.' Hulka: `Lighten up, Francis...'). The pressure is on for Hulka and his men, when Colonel Glass (Lance LeGault) informs Captain Stillman (John Larroquette) that the `General' is looking for a squad of crack new recruits to man a special project, and Hulka's boys have been chosen. The project involves a secret weapon, an `urban assault' vehicle, that is to be unveiled on their base in Germany shortly. But first, Hulka has to get his troops through basic, which will be a minor miracle in itself, even though Winger goes `Out on a limb,' and offers to be their leader. And things proceed just as badly as you would expect, not only on the obstacle course, but off, when Winger and Ziskey get mixed up with a couple of female M.Ps., Stella (P.J. Soles) and Louise (Sean Young), and Ox gets coerced (by Winger, of course) into taking part in a female mud-wrestling event at a local night spot. Along the way, Reitman sets up the situations for some serious laughs, and keeps it all on track with a good pace and excellent timing. Murray is terrific as Winger, with a performance that puts a generous helping of `dry' in the expression `dry humor.' He plays it all so straight, so serious, from his quips and one liners (watching a TV promo for the Army, `This looks pretty good--'), to his full blown inspirational speech to the troops on the night before their final test at basic training (`We're all very different people. We're not Spartans, we're not Watusi, we're Americans, with a capital ‘A.' That means our forefathers were thrown out of every decent country in the world--'), that it makes it all the more hilarious. He never tries to be `funny,' or fish for laughs, which is really what makes this movie work so well. Murray is perhaps the best in the business at playing this kind of humor and putting it across (Ben Stiller would be a close second). Harold Ramis and John Candy also make invaluable contributions that make this one fly. Watch Ramis, reacting to what Candy is saying as `Ox,' as explains why he joined the Army; it makes what Ox is saying twice as funny.
And Ox, talking about what a `shy guy' he is, and how `You may have noticed, I have this weight problem--' And Oates, as well, gives a singular performance that makes Hulka a real person, beyond the typical stereotype of the hard-nosed D.I. His portrayal, taken out of context, is one that would stand up even in more serious fare, like Kubrick's `Full Metal Jacket.' The supporting cast includes Judge Reinhold (Elmo), John Voldstad (Stillman's Aide), Roberta Leighton (Anita), Antone Pagan (Hector), Fran Ryan (Dowager in Cab), Dave Thomas (M.C.) and William Lucking (Recruiter).
From beginning to end, `Stripes' is a fun-filled laugh riot that's filled with memorable scenes and a plethora of lines you'll be quoting forever.
This is one you can watch over and over again, with a bunch of characters you're never going to forget. Winger and Ziskey, Ox, Psycho, Cruiser.
These are the guys who Demi Moore, as Galloway in `A Few Good Men,' could have been talking about when, in response to the question of why she likes these guys so much, replies, `Because they stand on a wall, and they say nothing is going to hurt you tonight, not on my watch...' It kind of makes you think. Or, as Cruiser might say, `Yeah... About what?' I rate this one 10/10.
Bill Murray Wants You for the Army
posted on 13 Jun 2009Bill Murray, well John Winger in the Army, what could be stranger. Well the bunch that are in his battalion give it a run. John Winger (Bill Murray) is a low-life. Afer losing his girlfriend, his job and his car, John and his best friend Russell (Harold Ramis) decide to join the army for a bit of fun.While in boot camp, the battalion(John Candy and Judge Rienhold just to name a few) come under hard drill from Sgt. Hulka (Warren Oates) and end up having to train themselves after a freak accident. Training ends with one of most hilarious scenes in the film of the battalion 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy' at graduation and being sent to Italy for it to guard a new-armored Urban Transport.Bill Murray and Harold Ramis unite before their success in the Ghostbuster films and are hilarious as the low-life cadets. The film is a favorite among military cadets but among 'civilians' to. The battalion brings in a lot of humor from the murderous Francis to the anger-driven Dewey Oxburger (John Candy). The plot is thin but it is made up for in the comedy.Stripes. Starring: Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, John Candy, Warren Oates, Judge Reinhold, P.J. Soles, and Roberta Leighton.3 1/2 out of 5 Stars.
Worth the $$$$
posted on 05 Jun 2009I enjoyed the Extended Cut of Stripes. I thought the documentary was pretty good. However, the "very little" portion of the documentary with Bill Murray was a letdown. Apparently the studio knew this too as they made a point to mention on the back of the DVD that the documentary included Bill Murray. "Me doth think Columbia protest too much!" If they didn't think Bill's portion "stunk," then there would have been no need to mention it seeing as Bill Murray was the star of the film! Everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves. Ivan Reitman's commentary was informative and the deleted scenes were interesting, either viewed separately or in the extended version of the film. This movie is part of what I call the "Big 4" of late 70's, early 80's comedies. Animal House, The Blues Brothers and Caddyshack are the other 3. The reason I give this DVD 4 stars is the previously mentioned documentary and the "stupid" sleeve the DVD came in. Why do these studios insist on releasing DVD'S in a sleeve that is exactly the same as the cover? Whenever they do this, it is at the "expense" of a Chapter Insert and Notes about the film. Rain Man, Apollo 13 and Fast Times At Ridgemont High have had the same problem in their recent editions.
If this is the new Army we're doomed
posted on 03 May 2009Buddies Bill Murray and Harold Ramis, whose lives are dull and boring decide to join the Army. The Army never sees what's about to hit them.
What ensues is a wonderful movie that is a spoof of the military.
They tear through basic training, much to the dismay of Sgt Hulka(Warren Oates strives as the tough as nails commander). Then, they get assigned to a super secret new weapon, much to the dismay of Capt. Stillman (played by John Larroquette,who gets to continue his womanizing that he carried onto television shows, like Night Court).
The whole gang, which includes the likes of John Candy, and Judge Reinhold romp from the U.S, to Italy, to Czechoslovokia, causing trouble wherever they go.
Also watch for the poor happless Russians at the guard tower who seem to get the worst of it numerous times. Just when they assume that they are safe they get it again.
A real winner that even some from the Army said was realistic to a point with the basic training.
Great Bonuses for a Classic Film
posted on 22 Mar 2009First off, this is one of the funniest films ever made. Anything my girlfrieend can sit through and laugh at with me and not at me is gold! The bonuses on the DVD are great. Even though you can see why they took them out of the film, they are some really funny scenes that just didn't belong in the final film.
The featurette's are great too, good stories about the cast, which is packed with great actors from Bill Murray to Warren Oates.
A MUST OWN DVD for any true comedy film buff.
Zany comedy
posted on 21 Mar 2009Two friends dissatisfied with their jobs join the army for fun and meeting girls, but they get into a lot of trouble and many misshaps before they win their stripes. Bill Murray and Harold Ramis are two zanies and so are all their buddies. It is rather a long film but time passes on to better days. I was glad to see John Candy and John Laroquette in it. They were fine and funny actors. Good to see some good ole comedies 7/10
One of My All Time Favorites
posted on 15 Mar 2009In a world of anxiety, stress and war, we can relax for the hour and a half and watch one of the funniest movies ever made. We still, to this day, say some of the lines from this movie. The girls were hot, the scenes were well shot and the storyline never wavered. If you haven't seen this movie yet, I don't think you can call yourself a movie buff.
Great!
posted on 28 Feb 2009Bill Murray in the army... What more could you want or need! great to see Harrold Ramis too. There are just too many truly funny sequences in this movie. i cant believe anypne could not like this movie. It has a great cast containing many comic big dogs of the late 80,s and 90's first performances.... Bill and Harrold play off each other and the rest of the cast amazingly well improvising their brand of comedy endlessly.the DVD extras a great too... Wonderfully enlightaning commentary, and a great two part set of interviews off all the actors talking about each scene and their overall great time on the set.
Enlist Stripes
posted on 27 Jan 2009Stripes is yet an comedic tour-de-force for Bill Murray. He stars as a John Winger, who is a basic loser. After his girlfriend dumps him, he sees a commercial on television for the army. He convinces his friend, Russell (wryly played by Harold Ramis) to enlist with him. The fellow soldiers in their troop include John Candy, Judge Reinhold, John Diehl and as their leader, Sgt. Hulka, Warren Oates. Hulka is a by the book, strict drill sergeant and the clashes between he and Winger are a scream. The high moment of the film is where the members of the troop introduce themselves to one another. A young Sean Young plays the love interest of Russell and Mr. Candy excels as Ox, who joined the army as a way to lose weight. The supporting cast is great, but this is Mr. Murray's film all the way. His eats up every scene he's in and fast and furious pace forces you to keep up with him. The film is proof that Bill Murray is one of the funniest men alive.
This is a fact Jack, Stripes is a good movie!
posted on 06 Dec 2008Stripes starring Bill Murray and Harold Ramis has a low life named John Winger and his friend join the army after their lives go down the tube in two hours. Under the order of Sgt. Hulka, the army under goes a five week training class till Hulka is in an accident. This causes John to train his team before graduation, and at graduation his team performs gun marches that wows the whole supreme. They are so good, they are assigned to look after a top secret military truck that John takes into his own hands and has his team kidnapped. Now it's up to him and a few friends to rescue his platoon!Now my first impression of the film, could of been better. The cast is made perfectly but there are to many nudity jokes and slow scenes that drags this film by the roots. But that doesn't stop Bill to stop being funny. He gives a great performance as Winger who doesn't care what happens to him in the army. Harold does a good job acting as the careful and hectic best friend Russell but the best person in this whole movie is John Candy as Dewey 'Ox" Oxburger. His scene at the strip club in the mud wrestling pit is priceless. "I'm a lean, mean, fighting machine!" This film may drag but it reaches it's goal with a good supply of action, tons of one liners that work, and love relations between two MP's and the two stars. The whole plot at the beginning switches totally when Bill and his platoon have to guard the army vehicle but the real action is in this sequence. You'll love the ending with the newspaper headlines in magazines like Penthouse and Romance Finders. Stripes gets the big 7, could of been better but it works in it's own way. Now that's the fact Jack, go out and watch a copy of Stripes! You'll love it, enjoy.
Gritty and realistic.
posted on 12 Nov 2008Two dummies decide to join the army, because they got nothing else to do.Early Murray movie is a blast to watch.The humor is juvenile, but it's often hilarious.As far as guy movies go, you can't go wrong with this as there's a loads of nudity.Rating:**** (out of five)
Ma'am, perhaps you'd like to eat your luggage
posted on 11 Sep 2008 Just when you thought it didn't get any better than Animal House and Caddyshack, Harold Ramis (the co-writer of those two and this) releases Stripes, the story of two slackers who enlist in the Army and turn it upside down. Starring Bill Murray and Ramis as the friends, with John Candy supplying back-up, how can you go wrong?
John Winger (Murray) decides to leave a cranky rich woman on a bridge in his cab, thus losing his job, which leads to him losing his girlfriend, and to add to things, his car gets repossessed. His best buddy Russell (Ramis) is teaching English to immigrants. With these two worthless things going on for them, John suggests the Army could shape them up, or "I'll be dead before I'm 30." So they do, and in the process, John butts heads with drill sergeant Hulka (Warren Oates), and the two get military police girlfriends (P.J. Soles, Sean Young). Then they take the new Army vehicle to Germany with the girls, and their unit gets captured. Time to head into Czechoslovakia. "It's like going into Wisconsin," John reassures Russell.
As you can see, this is a fine addition to the Animal House/ Caddyshack/ Ghostbusters pool of Ramis/Reitman (Ivan Reitman, director of Stripes & Ghostbusters and co-producer of Animal House)/ SNL stars comedies. Basically Animal House in the Army (or Caddyshack in the Army, or Ghostbusters in the Army, but that was after, so Caddyshack was Animal House with golf, and...)
Classic Bill Murray comedy
posted on 15 Aug 2009Stripes was released during the time when Bill Murray was starting to make more movies. He had already made the hilarious Caddy Shack, then Stripes, after that is GhostBusters, and then Ground Hog's Day. Stripes is a classic. Some of the humor may seem dated, but I saw this when I was 15 and I thoroughly enjoyed it.The story centers around two buddies who decide to join the army to improve their rundown life style. While in the service, they constantly get into trouble with their strict drill sergeant, Sgt. Hulka. In fact, every time something goes wrong, Sgt. Hulka is right in the center of it.The film also features John Candy, and Sean Young back in her 'Blade Runner' era. As I've said before, this may seem kind of dated, but it is enjoyable, so I would recommend this to any Bill Murray fan or anybody who wants to see a funny movie.