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Stripes (1981): Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 05:15, 18 March 2009
Stripes (1981) was a hit comedy starring Bill Murray and Harold Ramis (of Ghostbusters fame). Despite being a broad farce, with implausible situations, it is indicative of the mindset of the U.S. Military in the 1970s (i.e. the immediate Post Vietnam war Years). Morale was not high, and despite an active Cold War with the Soviets, the military's budget was slashed under then President Jimmy Carter. Stripes was filmed with the cooperation of the U.S. Army, and many portions of the film was filmed at an active Army base, Fort Knox, Kentucky (but nowhere near the famous "gold reserve"). Despite being irreverent, the film still depicted American Soldiers as brave and dedicated, albeit a little weird and goofy. It was that positive portrayal of the U.S. Army in general (despite some comical and incompetent characters) which allowed the Defense Department to approve helping the film.
The following guns were used in the film:
M16A1
During training, the recruits are seen with M16A1 rifles.
M16 (SP1)
Mixed in the M16A1 rifles are M16 (AR15 SP1) slab side receiver rifles. Though there 'may' have been some left over in inventory during the 1970s, when this movie was filmed, it would have been rare. These are 'movie' guns, aka, SP1 rifles converted to full auto fire by movie armorers.
M1 Garand "Training Rifles"
During the boot camp sequences of the film, the recruits don't actually use real M1 Garand rifles. They instead use plastic & metal training rifles patterned after the M1 Garand.
M1911A1
The Standard sidearm of all of the U.S. Military personnel (officers, NCOs, Military Police) are the M1911A1 in the film. What is interesting is that the so called "Russian Soldiers" (i.e. the officers) at the end of the film also carry M1911A1 pistols. I suppose they couldn't get Tokarev or Makarov pistols.
Fake Uzi Submachine gun aka "The MAC Uzi"
Seen in the film are the fake Uzi Submachine guns, fabricated out of MAC-10s (9mm versions) by Special Effects Unlimited, in the 1970s. There may have not been enough real blank adapted Uzis in the U.S. at the time so these faux Uzis were used in several movies. These fake Uzis were famously used in the Christopher Walken film The Dogs of War and also in the films High Risk and Raw Deal.
MAC-10
Used by John Winger (Bill Murray) and Stella Hansen (P.J. Soles) during the rescue and by Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis) at the end of the film.
Valmet M76
Many of the so called "Russian Soldiers" at the base in Czechoslovakia are carrying Valmet M76 rifles, since real AKs or AK clones were near impossible to get in the 1970s. Only with the advent of imported rifles from China and Egypt did American movies get to see closer versions of the AK rifle series. The Valmet M76 rifles used in the film appear to be the 5.56mm versions.
Uzi Submachine Gun
Seen rarely, but mixed in the other weapons at the "Russian" base, we see a few real Uzi Submachine guns with full wooden stocks.
M72A2 LAW Rocket
Seen carried by Corporal Tyson (John Voldstad) when the platoon gets ready to go after Winger and Ziskey. The LAW rocket launchers are the M72A2 version, however, they have the large sticker on the side indicating that they are the Trainers, not the standard rockets.
M224 60mm Light Mortar
Recruits at Fort Knox are seen firing the M224 60mm Light Mortars at the range.
M67 Hand Grenade
Corporal Tyson (John Voldstad) must get rid of a supposedly 'live' M67 hand grenade of which Captain Stillman accidentally pulls the pin. But it is clear that he holds the blue painted M69 Training hand grenade. (a) An Army officer would not be allowed to have live ordnance sitting on his desk, (b) the Corporal would probably have the presence of mind to not run with the grenade (and possibly trip) and just hold down the spoon until he can dispose of it (hopefully he is near the grenade range) or just take the pin and re-insert it into the fuse body and (c) in the film, Tyson yells "Grenade!" seconds after he leaves the office and we hear an explosion ... one wonders where he threw the grenade since it was so near to an Army Administration building full of people (?)
Field Gun
A yet unidentified American Field gun (direct fire artillery versus a howitzer which is a high angle of fire weapon) is used by a "Russian" gunner who is dispatched by Sgt. Hulka (Warren Oates). It tries to destroy the American "Urban Assault Vehicle" with direct fire, but fails. It's second shot goes wild and destroys the remains of the Czech Border Guard Station.
