The Spirit of '76 (1990)

User Rating:

5.4/10   

Director:

Lucas Reiner

Writers:

Roman Coppola (story) &
Lucas Reiner (story) ...

Genre:

Comedy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

A close-up look at the most embarrassing decade in history.

Plot:

Future Americans decide to time travel to 1776 to ask the founding fathers for the solutions to their problems...

Plot Keywords:

Time Travel | 1976 | 1970s | Fad | Fourth Of July

Cast

Mark Mothersbaugh	...	Chevron-17 (as Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo)
Gerald V. Casale	...	Yale-44 (as Gerald V. Casale of Devo)
Carl Reiner	...	Dr. Von Mobil
Nancye Ferguson	...	Nurse
David Cassidy	...	Adam-11
Bob Casale	...	Ron-29 (as Bob Casale of Devo)
David Kendrick	...	Ron-31 (as David Kendrick of Devo)
Geoff Hoyle	...	Heinz-57
Olivia d'Abo	...	Chanel-6
Jeffrey McDonald	...	Chris Johnson (as Jeff McDonald of Redd Kross)
Steve McDonald	...	Tommy Sears (as Steve McDonald of Redd Kross)
Liam O'Brien	...	Rodney Snodgrass
Ann Block	...	Chris' Mom
Charles Dean	...	Chris' Dad
Martin von Haselberg	...	Agent 1 (as Martin Von Haselberg of The Kipper Kids)

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (MPAA rating: No. 30783)

Filming Locations:

Alameda, California, USA

Company:

Black Diamond Productions

Trivia:

Adam-11 complains about being stuck in the '70s and then turns to a Partridge Family lunch box. Adam-11 is played by David Cassidy, who starred in "The Partridge Family" (1970).

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Chris and Tommy have numerous patches sewn onto their jeans. One of the boys has a patch on his leg depicting Gene Simmons from his Kiss solo album. This film was set during the Bicentennial - 1976. The Kiss solo albums were released on September 18, 1978.

Quotes:

Miss Liberty: Let's take a look at the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, because in a sense that's where it all starts: A lie from the President to manipulate Congress in order to fund an undeclared war? Now not only does this render the Tripartite system functionally useless, but it's clearly a violation of the Oath of Office prescribed by the Constitution itself.

Movie Connections:

References "Mission: Impossible" (1966)

Soundtrack:

Love's Theme

Dumb fun.

I'd love to be able to say that 'Spirit of 76' is a forgotten comedy classic that desperately needs to be re-evaluated in these post-'Wayne's World'/'Austin Powers'/'That 70s Show' times, but sadly it really isn't all that funny. Still, I own a copy and watch it occasionally and get a few laughs out of it, so it isn't TOTALLY useless.

People who will enjoy it the most will be Redd Kross fans, as the fabulous McDonald brothers co-star. Perhaps the movie would have been better if they'd contributed to the script as well? They certainly know the territory better than most!

Anyway, you've got some silly clothes, a few obvious digs at the fads of the era, some enjoyable disco and metal on the soundtrack, and best of all a really eclectic supporting cast (Devo!). Maybe that's enough. Sometimes you just need some dumb fun...