Stripes - 1981

Columbia Pictures

Directed by Ivan Reitman

Cast:

• John Winger – Bill Murray
• Russell Ziskey – Harold Ramis
• Louise – Sean Young
• Stella – P. J. Soles
• Sgt. Hulka – Warren Oates
• Captain Stillman – John Larroquette
• Ox – John Candy
• Cruiser – John Diehl
• Elmo – Judge Reinhold

Story: Winger and Russell are a couple of losers in New York City who have no real jobs, no ambition, and no lives. So they're lying around Winger's girlfriend's place watching TV when an ad comes on for the Army. They look at each other and decide, what the hell, let's give it a try. From that point, it is on. Winger gets to his basic training and immediately gets on the bad side of Sgt. Hulka, his drill instructor, and becomes the guy who gets himself and everyone else in trouble. But thanks to Russell, who seems to be able to calm anyone down, Winger becomes the unannounced leader of the platoon. They survive boot camp, head to Italy, and manage to create an international incident without even breaking a sweat. So much for the ingenuity of the American Soldier.

Review: Ivan Reitman is the Mel Brooks of his generation, which means he takes nothing seriously, and this film is the perfect example. Bill Murray is his typical “everyman”, just a plain Joe who is in his late 20's who has no clue what to do with his life. Harold Ramis is his buddy, and the two of them together make enlisting in the Army akin to signing up for Little League. The movie is resplendent with little side jokes and plots. John Candy and his ersatz side kick, played by John Diehl, are constantly doing the Stanly and Ollie routine. John Larroquette plays the typical college graduate who joined the Army to lead men and blow stuff up, and has no clue whatsoever how to do either (Don't laugh too hard, I actually worked with junior Ensigns in the Navy with the same problem). Warren Oats is the only truly straight up character in the entire film, and his attitude is very similar to Bobby Troup's in M*A*S*H (G&* D#$% Army). But you have to love this film, simply because it does what no other film can do, makes a very dangerous and serious profession and turns it into a reflection on the human condition. The film is rated “R” for slight nudity, language, and inferences to drug use, but I think most teenagers can watch this without being corrupted. Definitely a must for any collector of cinema.