Talk:Stripes (film)

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"We're Ten and One!"[edit]

this is a serious question: what are the ten wars american has "won" according to bill murray's character? by way of comparison, by my count, at the time that Stripes was released, america's record was six wins, two losses (korea and vietnam) and one draw (1812) -- not that i'm an expert.Streamless 14:08, 11 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]


Correct, because Ronald Raygun had not yet conquered Grenada. That came a few years later. AaronCBurke 01:54, 19 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It's not so important what the wars were, because a lot of Americans believe what the character said. I think it's more about the way Americans act rather than whether they've actually won. 32.97.110.142 18:06, 11 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

We might argue that we won 1812, and that Korea is unresolved. "Ten and one" is just a funny line. Like, we're not perfect, but "nearly so". And humble, too. :) Wahkeenah 22:41, 11 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
It was just a joke, it doesn't have anything thing to do with the way anyone acts; it was likely an improvisation(much like a lot Ghostbusters was).--ᎠᏢ462090 15:55, 9 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]
i understand it's a joke--don't get me wrong, i like the movie and the line--i'm more wondering what the other two wars were that are unaccounted for. Streamless 19:27, 26 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]
You would need to ask the scriptwriters that question. Wahkeenah 23:13, 26 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I would assume that ten is just a rounded number to make it sound good in the movie. "Ten and one" sounds a lot better than going "seven and one" or "six and two." Also, why would you expect someone like him to know the exact number of wars America's won off the top of his head? I don't doubt that "ten and one" is meant to sound good instead of to be a statistic. 71.217.221.174 10:11, 25 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]
This line has generated more controversy in the past than some know. I grew up and lived in Oregon through the 1980s. While watching this movie on television at that time (a Portland Oregon station), this line was dubbed! A *very* bad voiceover came on when Murray said 10 and 1 to cover the "1" with "O" (the voice said 'oh' as in the letter o). I've always remembered this and I've never heard it since. I dont know if it was just a disgruntled employee at the television station or if an edit was made for the TV Version of the movie (they cut out all the nudie scenes and F words of course). You must remember that it was 1981, in the deepest depths of the cold war, Saigon had fallen only six years earlier and visions of the desperate helicopter evacuation of the Saigon embassy were fresh. Reminding people of the Vietnam War by counting it as a "loss" at this time could probably be thought of as 'tasteless' or at least ruffling the wrong feathers. Even in liberal Oregon there were places selling bumperstickers saying "I'll forgive Jane Fonda... when the Jews forgive Hitler!" Having recently watched the bonus "making of" specials on the Stripes CD, I'd wager they put this line in the film because they knew it was going to be controversial and make some people throw stuff at the screen. You want that in a film, really. Not too much! Just some little antagonistic line that's gunna make people's brain energized and remember your film ("You wouldn't BELIEVE this one commie liberal line in the movie after they showed the nudie girls, Earl! Dang Hollywood jerks! Oh yeah, but then there was this stripclub scene..."). Yanqui9 16:51, 18 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
1. French and Indian War (we were on the Brits), 2. Rev War, 3. 1812 ( Due to Jackson and the fact that the British gained next to nothing while the US got quite a bit) 4. US-Mexico 5. Spainish-American, 6. WW1, 7. WW2 8. Korea (Isn;t there STILL a SOUTH Korea? The other 2 could be from the following 3- A) The Civil War (Damn Yankees) B) Barbary States (If this was a Navy Film this would count for sure) C) The 26 parts of the Indian wars.
1 - rev war; 2 - barbary wars; 3 -war of 1812; 4 -war w mexico; 5- civil war; 6-spanish american war; 7- phillippine american war; 8 - ww 1; 9-ww 2; 10-korea. AS for how he would know, I always figured that teaching the military history of the United States would be something that you learned in basic traning. There is a teaching aspect to basic, rather than just running around all day. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.121.28.23 (talk) 22:27, 2 March 2014 (UTC)[reply]

How's that? --David.snipes (talk) 01:22, 22 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Merger from EM-50[edit]

I'd propose a merger, as the fictious vehicle would not really seem to be notable to stand alone. A bit different than say Bond gadgets. Scoo 11:38, 1 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah, I would agree. I don't think that it really needs its own entry. 216.158.61.10 19:34, 10 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • I'm not too sure. Merging the EM-50 article would look awkward on the Stipes page and completely random. I can't say I'm tilting either way. Darth Maddolis 08:26, 17 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • no Merger- should stay a stand alone, like the batmobile or the Mach 5--KayeLewis 20:28, 7 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The Batmobile has decades of history, and the article shows. And while the Mach 5 article is a much more similar article to comare the two, I would have to say that the Mach 5 article at least can stand on its own, while there is little if anything to say about the EM-50 outside of it being a heavily armoured motorhome. I'd say merge before the EM is tagged for deletion (for it possibly being not notable). Radagast83 03:09, 17 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
If I can gather more information on the EM-50 could that stop it from being deleted? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 68.32.161.135 (talk) 05:47, 20 January 2007 (UTC).[reply]
68.32.161.135, it's not being "deleted", the information would be merged into this article, and then that article woudl redirect here. Anyway, what else would there to add? Radagast83 22:11, 20 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Merge. It's not strong enough to stand on it's own. Dont even bother comparing it to the Batmobile, et.al. Pepto gecko 19:21, 6 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]
  • I added the EM-50 to the list of fictional vehicles -- automobiles. I don't agree about the merger. While the depth of technical details about the EM-50 is lacking it does warrant having it's own article. And I will continue to cross-link on this subject. ChristopherCorn 17:50, 18 March 2011 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Christophercorn (talkcontribs)

Quotes[edit]

Since there is a link to a Wikiquotes section for this movie I don't think the section of quotes really needs to be here. I've pasted the section here for archival purposes. Count Ringworm 20:41, 5 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

  • Ziske parks his car in front of a business going to the recruiting office:
Business owner: Hey, this is a loading zone, you can't park there!
Winger: We're not parking it. We're abandoning it!
  • The recruiting officer runs down a list of standard questions with Winger and Ziske:
Recruiting Officer: Are either of you homosexuals?
Winger: Flaming or...?
Recruiting Officer: Well, it's a standard question we have to ask.
Ziske: No, we aren't homosexuals, but we are willing to learn.
Winger: Yah. Will they send us some place special?
  • Stillman and Hulka observing the platoon arriving at the barracks for the first time:
Capt. Stillman: It looks like a fine group of men, Sergeant.
Ox: I sure hope this is the mess hall!
(to Stillman, observing his Captain insignia): How's it goin', Eisenhower?!
Sgt. Hulka: Yes, sir, a fine group of men.
  • During the platoon's getting-acquainted session in the barracks:
Psycho: The name's Francis Sawyer.... but everyone calls me "Psycho." Any of you guys call me Francis... I'll kill ya! And I do not like nobody touching MY STUFF...so just keep ya meathooks off. If I catch any of you guys in my stuff... I'll kill ya. Also, I don't like nobody touching ME! Any of you HOMOS touch me...I'll kill ya!
Sgt. Hulka: (unimpressed): Lighten up, Francis! We're all in this together. One of these men may save your life one of these days, you understand that?
Winger: Then again maybe one of us won't.
(The entire room bursts out laughing)
  • Winger, introducing himself to the rest of the platoon:
Chicks dig me, because I rarely wear underwear, and when I do it's always something unusual... but now I know, why I've always lost women...to guys like you. It's not just the uniforms - oh no - It's the stories that you tell! Such fun and imagination! (Addressing man in platoon) Lee Harvey, you are a madman! Remember when you and your friends stole your neighbor's cow, and your friend tried to make it with the cow? I want to party with you, cowboy. You and me, heh, forget about it!
  • Winger, giving a pep talk to the platoon:
"We've been kickin' ass for 200 years! We are 10 and 1!"
  • Winger, continuing his pep talk to the platoon:

"We are the wretched refuse. We're mutts. Here's proof, his nose is cold!"

  • General: Where's your drill sargeant?

Winger: BLOWN UP SIR!

The Private War of Major Benson[edit]

Has anyone written about the striking resemblance between Stripes and The Private War of Major Benson? Some of the significant plot devices are the same:

  • Cadet goes AWOL, gets caught and talked out of it
  • Commandant is out sick, so the cadets train themselves
  • Big parade scene with cadets sounding off with an unconventional cheer. The general is impressed by cadets' unconventionality. By passing this inspection, the school is allowed to maintain its credentials. Rklawton 01:11, 1 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Fair use rationale for Image:Stripes.jpg[edit]

Image:Stripes.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot 05:14, 3 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]

References in popular media[edit]

Wikipedia tends to frown on these kinds of sections without references so I'm pasting it here until it can be sorted out. --J.D. (talk) 21:33, 11 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

  • The film's military-march instrumental theme was used in a TV commercial for Nissan trucks in December 2005–January 2006. It was also used in the movie Renaissance Man, starring Danny DeVito.
  • As a result of this movie, the song "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" (originally sung by The Exciters) became a popular military cadence in the US armed forces.
  • In the TV series Freaks and Geeks, there is discussion of the film among a group of the main characters. In the discussion, they detail the plot, ending with the point "then they get stopped by a group a guards who were played by..." after getting interrupted. One of the actors they were going to mention was Joe Flaherty, who played Harold Weir on the show.

Goofs[edit]

I noticed a definate goof in the extended cut, not sure if the orignal theatrical cut is the same.

In the bus station sequence, Louise is (to me) clearly wearing the rank of Specialist 5, yet during the graduation sequence, she is wearing Specialist 4 insignia. ArcAngel (talk) 16:46, 15 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Another goof in the scene in Germany. The production had to "fake" same details to give an european look to the area. So they made their own numberplates (on a BMW). But the kind of sign (WH followed by a number) was only used on military vehicles in the 3. Reich. WH is the shortcut for "Wehrmacht Heer" (the ground forces from the german army in world war II ). 94.220.171.77 (talk) 09:10, 25 January 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Initial setting[edit]

Evidence that John was living and working in Louisville:

  • He was getting his shoes shined in front of a schedule for a University of Louisville sports team
  • His cab has a roof sign advertizing the Bank of Louisville.
  • He walks past the Stewart Dry Goods company of Louisville, Kentucky just before the rich lady gets in his cab.

So let's stop changing Louisville to New York City. --Uncle Ed (talk) 19:15, 27 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The song is so prominent in the movie, and yet it is not credited at the end.
I suppose this was before they got really really obsessive over musical credits, as they are now.
Varlaam (talk) 06:28, 6 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Merger proposal[edit]

I suggest that the EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle article be merged into this article. As Erik has demonstrated on the EM-50 article talk page, the subject simply does not have enough independent coverage to show notability apart from the film article. When merged, we can include a subsection under production on the origins of the vehicle. At this point, the vehicle article describes the vehicle's fictional capabilities in an inappropriate in-universe manner. Once all of that is removed, there is nothing left. Merge here and describe the vehicle's origins and be done with it. ---The Old JacobiteThe '45 17:56, 9 February 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Concur with the merge since that article is likely to be a permanent stub and also suits the context of this singular medium. Erik (talk | contrib) (ping me) 18:01, 9 February 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Pinging Slashme who commented at Talk:EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle to see if they have an opinion about whether or not to carry out this merge. Pinging involved editor UW Dawgs as well. Erik (talk | contrib) (ping me) 15:26, 10 February 2017 (UTC)[reply]

The original and ongoing discussion is located at Talk:EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle#Redirection. This attempt to fork the discussion is invalid. UW Dawgs (talk) 15:29, 10 February 2017 (UTC)[reply]

WP:MERGE says the merge discussion should take place on the destination page's talk page, so this is the proper place for it. The so-called original discussion was a comment by an editor that I've already pinged to weigh in here per guidelines. Erik (talk | contrib) (ping me) 15:58, 10 February 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks, Erik. ---The Old JacobiteThe '45 16:13, 10 February 2017 (UTC)[reply]
A merge, rather than a redirect, seems the best course of action. Even when the content that gets saved in this manner is short. Lyrda (talk) 17:02, 10 February 2017 (UTC)[reply]
A merger definitely sounds like a good idea. I could imagine some fictional vehicles deserving their own article, but in this case, the chances are slim that anyone could find sufficient content to produce a decent article. - 129.242.224.25 (talk) 17:30, 10 February 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for pinging me, Erik. It makes no sense to have two discussions, and certainly not to have a separate discussion about where the discussion should take place, so I've been bold and closed the other discussion: after all, I was the one who started it in the wrong place!

I don't feel very strongly about the EM-50 article. The subject weakly passes the GNG: it has actually been discussed in various sources, but the quality of those sources isn't top-notch, and the depth of discussion just barely exceeds a passing mention. I would prefer this content to be merged to this article, but I won't go to war about it (especially not in an EM-50). --Slashme (talk) 14:33, 11 February 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for your thoughtful comments, and for closing the other discussion, Slashme. ---The Old JacobiteThe '45 14:47, 11 February 2017 (UTC)[reply]

It has now been 12 days since I made this merge proposal and there has been no serious disagreement. I am proceeding with the merger. Thanks to everyone who weighed in. ---The Old JacobiteThe '45 02:58, 24 February 2017 (UTC)[reply]