Plot
This movie is a remake of the hit series which starred, Phil Silvers as Sgt. Bilko. In this movie, Bilko runs the motor pool and has all sorts of scams going on like gambling...

Release Year: 1996

Rating: 5.3/10 (11,441 voted)

Director: Jonathan Lynn

Stars: Steve Martin, Dan Aykroyd, Phil Hartman

Storyline
This movie is a remake of the hit series which starred, Phil Silvers as Sgt. Bilko. In this movie, Bilko runs the motor pool and has all sorts of scams going on like gambling, renting out military vehicles, and so on, which are all violations. However, his commanding officer, Colonel Hall overlooks them, cause he is more concerned about his future, cause a lot of bases are being closed, and the inspector, Major Thorn was on the verge of doing that. But when he heard that Bilko was on the base, he turned into a mad dog. It seems that Thorn was a "thorn" in Bilko's side many years ago but through a series of misunderstandings, Thorn was accused of carrying out or being the brains behind one of Bilko's schemes, he would be sent to Greenland and his career has not gone as he hoped it would and now wants revenge on Bilko.

Writers: Nat Hiken, Andy Breckman

Cast:
Steve Martin - Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko
Dan Aykroyd - Col. John T. Hall
Phil Hartman - Maj. Colin Thorn
Glenne Headly - Rita Robbins
Daryl Mitchell - Pfc. Walter T. Holbrook
Max Casella - Spc. Dino Paparelli
Eric Edwards - Pvt. Duane Doberman
Dan Ferro - Spc. Tony Morales
John Marshall Jones - Sgt. Henshaw
Brian Leckner - Pfc. Sam Fender
John Ortiz - Spc. Luis Clemente
Pamela Adlon - Sgt. Raquel Barbella (as Pamela Segall)
Mitchell Whitfield - Pfc. Mickey Zimmerman
Austin Pendleton - Maj. Ebersole
Chris Rock - 1st Lt. Oster

Release Date: 29 March 1996

Filming Locations: Sierra Madre, California, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $39,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend: $8,110,080 (USA) (31 March 1996)

Gross: $30,356,793 (USA)

Runtime: 93 min

Trivia:
Bilko's group (Company B) switches the sign on their barracks with the sign on Company A's barracks. One of the names on Company B's sign is Cpt. Hiken. Nat Hiken was the creator of the original The Phil Silvers Show, on which this movie is based.

Goofs:
Factual errors: Almost every officer and non-commissioned officer in this movie has a CIB (Combat Infantryman Badge) on their uniform. CIB's are awarded to Infantry or Special Forces soldiers who have served in combat. All of the officers in the movie are branched Armor (according to the insignia on their uniforms) and it can be assumed that the enlisted soldiers have Armor or related MOS's (military occupational specialty, Army term for 'job'). I doubt every officer and NCO character was previously branched Infantry or SF and served in combat before switching to Armor.

Quotes:
Pvt. Dino Paparelli: Bilko's gonna think of something. Remember the time I got that letter from my wife saying that she wanted to break up with me? Huh? Remember what Bilko did?
Pfc. Wally Holbrook: He got your wife back?
Pvt. Dino Paparelli: No, he got me another wife! A *better* wife!

Don't look at the votes rating

Rating: 8/10

This is actually a very funny movie, one of Steve's funniest movies - up there with Father of the Bride. All the characters, Dan Akroyd, Phil Hartman, even an appearance by Chris Rock make this an extremely enjoyable movie. The Hover Tank was hands down the funniest part. Steve is full of laughs in this movie and acts out the character of Sergeant Bilko superbly. I have watched this movie at least four times and I was still laughing all the way through. This is in fact one of my all time favourite comedies. I have never seen the original and perhaps my judgement of this movie is therefore altered. Yet if you have never seen or even heard of the original and you like Steve's work then you will surely like this. Don't look at the votes rating I'll give this 8/10.

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