MovieChat Forums > Stripes (1981) Discussion > We Are 10 + 1?

We Are 10 + 1?

posted 15 years ago by Mannlaw99
41 replies | jump to latest

My memory tells me that Winger says something such as "we (Americans) are 10 and 1" (in wars). Since I get most of my information from comedy movies and DVD covers, I ask this: was 10 and 1 America's record at the time this movie was made? It seems to me we had victories in:
1. The Revolutionary War
2. The War of 1812
3. The Mexican American War
4. The Civil War
5. The Spanish American War
6. WWI
7. WW II
8. Korea

We lost in Vietnam. So I see our record as 8 & 1. Good enough for a BCS Bowl Game but not 10 & 1. Anyway, did Winger say 10 & 1, and if he did, what wars am I missing, or was the hero of this movie wrong about an important historical fact (which would be very difficult for me to accept).

[–] iridium6598146 15 years ago

Korea was not a win, a tie maybe, but definitely not a win. The border between North and South Korea was almost exactly the same. Except that instead of being the 35th paralell, the border followed the cease-fire line of July '53. I think something like 130 sq. miles of territory changed hands. And 50,000 American troops were lost for nothing. Just like 'Nam.

Nuke 'em till they glow, then shoot 'em in the dark!

[–] leforcat 15 years ago

Don't worry. Just count in some of your heroic wars agains some sinister Indian tribes and you'll make 10 in no time!

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[–] GethinVanH 15 years ago

You lost the war of 1812. The British/Canadians burned down the White House and most of Washington. I'd say that qualifies as a defeat.

[–] XLCH1000 15 years ago

Im glad to see that someone else noticed. Strictly speaking, any war that ends with an armistice cant be considered a win by either side. It's saying, "Hey. we cant beat you, and you arent kicking our ass either, so lets agree to stop fighting and getting killed for no good reason." In order to be considered a win, SOMEONE has to surrender to the other.
My view only.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] rimnod 15 years ago

Sorry to say the War of 1812 was pretty much a draw. The U.S. (Andy Jackson) did manage to badly defeat the British at New Orleans - but that was after the peace treaty was signed at Ghent (news had not reached the combantants in North America yet). Otherwise the British, Canadian, and Indians generally kicked ass -----The British even managed to burn the White House.

I put the overall American record in wars at the time of "STRIPES" at
about 6 wins / 1 loss / 2 ties ---I don't count Indian wars or faceoffs against 3rd world nations.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] BuckRogersTwentyFifth 14 years ago

In 1814 we took a little trip, along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Missisip...

I don't have an opinion. The word "opinion" implies the possibility I'm wrong.

[–] capt-bryan 15 years ago

We definatley did NOT lose to Canada.

If you love Jesus Christ and are 100% proud of it copy this and make your signature!

[–] Mission77 15 years ago

Sure you did. We have pudding that says so.

[–] detroit442 14 years ago

"Well...desserts aren't always right."

Mindy: Simpsons ep. 1F07

[–] Vashti13 11 years ago

Let's see...burned the English North American capital of York, destroyed (with a capital 'D') the British Great Lakes fleet, wiped out the Native forces at the Battle of Thames, and enough impressive naval victories to force the Atlantic fleet to sail only when huddled together in a full fleet.

Just a few more victories than New Orleans...

But yes, compared to plenty of British-Canadian victories (and some more U.S. victories), it was a military draw, but it counts as a strategic war victory because it achieved the grounds of the original grievance - to get the most powerful nation in the world to stop impressions and respect the international law of the sea. Let's it put this way: Following the war, America's prestige was up, and Britain's was down.

Full props to Canadians for their growth towards nationhood.

[–] wuhrer36d 11 years ago

In all fairness, it wasn't the real White House. Just a first draft.

"ma=mg...?"
"Squared?"
"No."
"Aristotle?"
"No."
"5?"

[–] Nizzemancer-1 7 years ago

Of course it wasn't the same white house, the first one got torched...

Light travels faster than sound,
that's why people seem bright,
until you hear them.

[–] ipacac22 7 years ago

Don't worry. Just count in some of your heroic wars agains some sinister Indian tribes and you'll make 10 in no time!

Yeah those same Indian tribes that were already at war with each other before European settlers ever set foot on The North American continent. Go pound sand idiot.

Utah! Get me two.

[–] spaminput 9 years ago

"Korea was not a win, a tie maybe, but definitely not a win."

I know some South Koreans who would strongly disagree. The average North Korean would argue that THEY lost.

"And 50,000 American troops were lost for nothing. Just like 'Nam."

w.r.t. to Vietnam, we didn't lose we left. The South Vietnamese were defeated when the cowardly Democrats in Congress wouldn't send them weapons to fight with like we'd promised in the peace treaty. And don't look now but Ho Chi Minh is spinning in his grave because all of Vietnam is becoming capitalist as fast as it can. So we win in the end.

[–] stevenackerman69 15 years ago

Good point. Didn't think of that. Maybe it is an error in the writing. Is it in the goofs section? Maybe also they did that just to even the numbers out.

[–] Mississippi20 15 years ago

For the purposes of the movie......it probably just sounds better to say "10-1" so that's what they went with.

Some of the big ones, I can think of:

1. Revolutionary War
2. The Indian Wars
3. Quasi-War with France
4. The Barbary Wars
5. Mexican-American War
6. The Spanish-American War
7. U.S. Phillipine War
8. The Banana Wars
9. WWI
10. WWII

Maybe even the Civil War could be considered one.....beating the Confederates.

It's ambiguous.......there's probably some other battles in there that might be considered.

[–] roboh-1 15 years ago

Do you really think Winger was paying that much attention during history lessons? I think it is entirely within his character to say something like that, having no idea whether it was right or wrong.

[–] Brian-69 12 years ago

I've sometimes wondered about these numbers myself. I think this is the best answer, along with WOLVERINE25th, below - "Everything Winger says is complete and utter BS."

[–] The_Dougster 10 years ago

Do you really think Winger was paying that much attention during history lessons? I think it is entirely within his character to say something like that, having no idea whether it was right or wrong.

Agreed. Is this guy really expected to be an expert on military history? LOL!

[–] Tjcat 15 years ago

Perhaps the French and Indian War was
included in the list.
The British-American Colonies
fought Native American and French
soldiers in "The War of Conquest"
between 1754-1763.

[–] davedeefam 15 years ago

It was just a joke. Just numbers out of the sky. And what's really funny is, back then it was a mock up of the old patriotic speaches you used to hear in movies. Today, with the hatred and loathing of America at all time highs, it sounds more patriotic than anything John Wayne ever uttered. And that says a lot.

[–] WOLVERINE25th 15 years ago

Exactly. Everything Winger says is complete and utter BS.

I'm the best there is at what I do, and that ain't pretty.

[–] sapper697-1 14 years ago

We did win the war of 1812, otherwise we'd still be british subjects, instead of being an independent nation that saved their butts during two world wars!

[–] BobStage 14 years ago

For crying out loud...

The War of 1812 was fought AFTER the US had separated from Britain. The British did not try to take the country back. The reason the war was even started was because of the fact that the British were taking their deserters back in illegal methods and even taking away Americans falsely accused of being deserters. The British were also helping the natives against the US's crazy ideas of Manifest Destiny, which meant Canada was also targeted. The US had that ambition in mind for a while, and they were annoyed at the behaviour of the British, so they declared war. They failed to defeat the Canadian forces, despite superior numbers, and while they did burn York (later Toronto) to the ground, their capital was scorched by flames of the invading British. Which is why you guys white-washed it. So technically, you guys got us to thank for your proud tradition of the white house :P

And that guy before was right; neither side can really claim a victory because neither side surrendered or really gained anything. The only thing that can said to be gained was the fact that Canada felt its first feelings of unity, and the US cemented their status as an independent nation (even though they were already independent).

[–] jscott1000 14 years ago

The real answer is that it was a Bill Murray improvisation that is not based in historical fact.

[–] lroy77 14 years ago

Bastille Day is coming up (July 14), so somebody won!