MovieChat Forums > Sgt. Bilko (1996) Discussion > The sad part about this movie...

The sad part about this movie...

posted 16 years ago by GraeShadowe
5 replies | jump to latest

I noticed at the end of the movie, that the Department of the Army didn't help in the production of the film...

BUT-

I noticed that the uniforms were IMMACULATE, without the usual goofs that military guys notice.
More movies should use the Tech. Advisors that this one used.
Granted, the behavior isn't what you see normally out of real soldiers, but no complaints about the uniforms (I mean, God help us if this is how real soldiers acted!)

Refusal to believe does not negate the truth.

[–] urciolo 15 years ago

Very true, but on the other hand, immaculate uniforms don't necessarily make good soldiers.

My memory isn't as good as it used to be. Also, my memory isn't as good as it used to be.

[–] GraeShadowe 15 years ago

I agree wholeheartedly with this statement, Urciolo.

I can recall seeing soldiers who had the "cardboard" pressed and starched uniform and "mirror shined" boots; usually an indication that the ONLY thing these guys could do, was shine boots and press uniforms.

I was referring mostly to the Class A uniforms, and how most ex-and current military can pick out mistakes that most civilians make; and was hard pressed to find those goofs.

Refusal to believe does not negate the truth.

[–] tmac75-1 15 years ago

This movie is the stereo tupe that was around for Motor pool guys in the 60's and the 70's.

[–] argonus-1 15 years ago

Actually...while not as "Over the Top" as Bilko....Some things are plausible. It's not uncommon for a kind of Black Market to form at a duty station. You ALWAYS find someone who's capable of getting pretty much anything. It's not impossible to find many of the activities in the film. There's always a form of bartering system..some are just more elaborate then others.

[–] Gwasgray 15 years ago

I'm not in the military but I've seen a lot of films set within the US military so I think I've picked a few things. I don't know if the uniforms in this film have any inaccuracies (I think I read somewhere that US military uniform costumes in film can't be 100% authentic because it would be impersonating a soldier) but I think some would say Bilko is a bit over-decorated for someone who spent his career in garages and avoiding hard work, he has a Combat Infantryman Badge (meaning he would have to have a fair amount of combat experience) and 4 Unit Citations. Also I think real military types would claim that people who work in base garages wouldn't wear anything apart from combats or overalls, not shirt, tie and ribbons like Bilko. And in the scene where Thorn makes Bilko and his platoon do rifle drill and then the confidence course, why would he wear his dress uniform to oversee this?