MovieChat Forums > Sgt. Bilko (1996) Discussion > An underrated film

An underrated film

posted 20 years ago by gruesomegrissom
17 replies | jump to latest

I understand why this film got such bad reviews. Sgt bilko is one of the most loved tv comedy shows in history and Phil Silvers is Sgt Bilko, but i think that people watching the film got to caught up in that. Steve Martin never tried to copy Silvers performance, he did his own take on the character and the film is full of great lines. I've seen a lot of Sgt Bilko episodes as it's repeated a lot over here on british tv, and while i do think the show is as funny now as when it was first made, i don't feel the movie was an insult or was as bad as everybody seems to think. I think if they had kept the film the same but changed the name of the character, the film would have gotten better reviews.

[–] rascal9tx 20 years ago

I agree. This movie came out while I was on active duty (Army), and everyone in my unit LOVED it. It really throws a lot of jabs at the bureacracy of the Army, and that's why it was pure delight for those of us who were so used to dealing with all of that.

Life is tough. It's even tougher if you're stupid. - John Wayne

[–] fishmaster17 20 years ago

This is one of my favorite movies. It's a guilty pleasure, and I don't see why everyone hates it so much.

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[–] KitKatGirl 20 years ago

I love this movie! I think most of the people who hate it are fans of the TV show, you're right. But I haven't seen the show and I think the movie is hilarious. It makes me laugh every time.

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[–] dreadlord90 19 years ago

this film is too underrated.
This is one of the best comedies I've ever seen.
now people don't make such movies...

[–] armatagejaded 19 years ago

I agree as well. I've watched this film many many times over and I still laugh at all the jokes, they hold up well. Its a very funny movie thats really gotten a bad rap for no reason.

[–] Kalm_Traveller 18 years ago

its only because people compare it, said this elsewhere, and that is unfair, because up against phil silvers, steve martin will lose, i do think the guy's funny...and this film was probably one of his best...

in no way did i watch this movie with the intention of comparing, because i knew i wouldnt like it, but watching it, makes me cry everytime...

a very nice nod to a previous comedic gem...

immaturity and your life is alot like wine, the older it gets, the more it costs you

[–] mckillaboy 17 years ago

Damn right, I don't know why people give this movie a bad rating, it's one of the best comedies I've ever seen.

[–] tuffvie 18 years ago

I am from the other side of the world and not informed about the television series until now. So, I guess I can give a more balanced view on the movie.

I thought the movie was really good, in fact a collectible. One of those movies which never got its due on IMDB as pointed out by the thread starter.

The plot could have so easily looked silly but the director and the cast got it all right. Steve Martin is detailed in his humor as usual but the best part of the movie is the fact that it's a collective effort by all the cast members.

[–] jgk-6 18 years ago

True that.

[–] dummy-15 12 years ago

So true!! completely underrated, i laughed out loud throughout the movie. Way better than the new ones (Hangover etc).
I guess a lot of people who are basing this movie is because they seen the original part of it and they just start comparing it.

[–] Scout706 10 years ago

I am old enough to remember the original, but I did not actually watch it - the original. That said, I found this movie to be - well, worse than any review could say, and an insult to military people as well. They couldn't bother to get a consultant to put proper rank on, or remove marksmanship badges from officer uniforms - lazy. This movie was a paycheck for those involved, not much else.

[–] kaine-qld 10 years ago

I love this film. I don't know anything about the TV show either.

[–] Dan_Garten 8 years ago

Cool.