Why It Ranks
Stripes launched Bill Murray's film career and defined the military comedy genre. The 'That's the fact, Jack' speech is Murray's first great movie moment. Harold Ramis as his straight-man partner-in-crime set the template for their Ghostbusters chemistry. $85 million in 1981 was enormous.
The Film
Stripes is the military comedy that made Bill Murray a movie star. Murray's John Winger joins the Army after losing his job, his apartment, and his girlfriend in the same day, and proceeds to turn basic training into an improvisation showcase. The first half — Murray antagonizing his drill sergeant, forming bonds with his platoon, delivering the 'That's the fact, Jack' speech — is peak early Murray. The film established the template for every military comedy that followed.
Fun Facts
The drill graduation sequence was choreographed by Murray himself — he based it on watching Bob Fosse musicals.
Harold Ramis co-wrote the screenplay and insisted on playing Russell Ziskey to maintain creative control.
The second half of the film, set in Europe, was largely improvised because the script was unfinished when filming began.
Warren Oates' drill sergeant was based on real sergeants Reitman observed at Fort Knox during pre-production.
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