Spring Break (1983) User Reviews

1983 Brainless Spring Break Fun With Heart

[msdemos · 6/10 · 14 July 2005]

Charming Ft. Lauderdale spring break film from 1983. Would this movie ever win any awards for cinematic excellence? Not a chance. But then it never tries to be anything other than what it is; mindless spring break fun circa-1983, but with a difference. The movie has heart, treating its likable leads in a positive way rather than depicting them as the stupid, sex-crazed, goofs that most films of the time seem to prefer. In short, there are a LOT less worthwhile ways to spend 101 minutes.

Although this was my era, I never experienced spring break while in college myself (much to my ever-lasting dismay). But movies like this allow those of us spring break wannabe's who missed out, a way to share in the fun.

DON'T bother watching if you are looking for a deep, filmatic experience. Instead, simply celebrate the era and enjoy the good "clean" fun that was Florida's spring break, before 'girls gone wild'!

Your typical 80's movie

[pepe4u22 · 4/10 · 20 February 2011]

Was at the local wallyworld the other day and stumbled over this movie of my youth in bargain bin so i bought it and watched it and it took me back to my youth...the movie is clichéd but the actors try hard with what is given to them and look to be having a good time. the movie was filled with 80's staples in the this genre of movies hot girls, nudity, drinking and saving the good people from the bad man at the end with a romance tied in. the music was fun and made me wonder why they do not have music like this in today's movie instead of the elevator music they seem to employ in today's movies. the subplot of the evil stepdad was also clichéd so suspend reality and relive one's youth watching this movie.

Very little going for it

[welhof1 · 5/10 · 2 August 2021]

This movie did not have much to it. The comedy was very sparse. There was very little nudity. The plot wasn't apparent until towards the end. The characters all kind of annoyed me. Just a forgettable early 80's comedy.

Wonderful fun to watch, those of us who were there can attest to atmosphere.

[kcal4 · 5 September 2004]

This is a wonderful film that captures so much of the early 1980's feeling at spring break, before the commercial exploitation and the cheap video cam made it a display. It is a warm film despite its attempts at gross comedy. My favorite line is OT upon reaching the motel, handed a beer he drains the entire quart and says "beer is like...f**king great". That captures the spirit of the movie. There is also a tender love story and a silly sideline about evil politicians. The love interest in the movie is one of the hottest women ever to grace the screen, and all of the characters of wonderfully funny and memorable. Ish (EESH) the bellboy at the motel,grabs a strip of satin hanging from a wall painting and shakes it "Sanitized for your protection", then says "You want anything you see eesh, you need anything you come to eesh, you get in troubles ... they work themselves out." I love this movie, as you can tell. It was what we at the time wanted spring break to be.

The dream of spring break

[BandSAboutMovies · 2/10 · 9 April 2019]

Between the first Friday the 13th and the House series, Sean S. Cunningham made this teen sex comedy. As my wife Becca reminded me, one of the only differences between this movie and a slasher is that no one gets killed for all the sex and drinking. It's a remnant of some forgotten time, when people in their late twenties could play college students and bars were named things like Games People Play.

Two nerds share a hotel room at the Breeze and Seas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with two cooler guys from Florida. There - I've established most of the plot for you. Ah - one of the nerds is a rich kid with a politico dad who is tracking him down. And also, some guy wants to shut the hotel down.

1983 was a way different time. A time when hijinks could be kind of homoerotic and perhaps no one noticed. A time when dudes could sleep four to a room and one of them could bring back a girl, who would willingly have sex with all of them present and no one thought this was perhaps a bit creepy. A time when things like me too and drunk driving were just future notions. Indeed, there's a scene where a girl is driving a convertible and holding a can of Miller Lite the entire time.

At the time this was made, Coke owned Columbia Pictures. So just in case you wonder why there's an extended sequence where a girl remarks how she's thirsty before sex and would really like a Coke before a guy goes to a large Coke branded machine to buy her a can, there's your answer.

My favorite bit of trivia for this film is that Corinne Alphen, the former wife of Wiseguy star Ken Wahl, is in it. A two-time Penthouse Pet of the Month and a Pet of the Year, today she's a professional Tarot card reader. And hey - keep your eyes open for an early appearance by Curb Your Enthusiasm co-star Jeff Garlin.

Cunningham would follow this movie with a much darker film about teens in Florida - The New Kids. What a double feature!

Just Plain Bad

[Uriah43 · 3/10 · 12 February 2016]

"Nelson" (David Knell) is a rich college kid whose dictatorial stepfather, "Ernest Dalby" (Donald Symington) just happens to be running for the U.S. Senate. But rather than staying around and work on his stepfather's campaign he decides to follow his best-friend's advice and go to Ft. Lauderdale for spring break. Unfortunately, when they get to their hotel they discover that there has been an error with their reservation and find that two other young men named "Stu" (Paul Land) and "O.T." (Steve Bassett) have also been given the same hotel room. Fortunately, they soon begin to realize just how sheltered they have been which causes both Nelson and his best-friend "Adam" (Perry Lang) to not only decide to allow them to stay in their room but to also join them in their quest to seek out the opposite sex and party. What none of them realize is just how infuriated Nelson's stepfather has become when he finds out that Nelson is in Ft. Lauderdale having a good time. Because of that he has hires a shady real estate agent to find Nelson and also sends two of his own goons to bring him back. Now rather than reveal any more of this movie I will just say that this was one of many "beach movies" which sprang up in the late 70's and continued throughout the 80's. Typically, these films differed from those in the 60's due to their more explicit and crude nature. That's not a criticism necessarily but rather a simple observation. As far as this specific movie is concerned, it had its share of topless women but nothing really out of the ordinary for this particular sub-genre. The big problem with this movie was that it was just plain dull. The plot was too basic and the humor wasn't very good either. Likewise, other than Corinne Alphen (as "Joan") none of the actors really stood out one way or the other. That said, I have rated the movie accordingly. Below average.

There are some great 80s nostalgic moments in this; but overall, this isn't good

[kevin_robbins · 4/10 · 27 August 2021]

Spring Break (1983) is a movie I recently watched on Amazon Prime. The storyline follows a group of friends who decide to go to Fort Lauderdale for spring break. One the friend's father cant believe his son would jeopardize his future and way of life to enjoy spring break shenanigans and sends people to find him. The friends will try to enjoy themselves while ducking the father's men. This movie is directed by Sean S. Cunningham (Friday the 13th) and stars David Knell (Pig), Perry Lang (Weeds), Paul Land (Riptide), Mimi Cozzens (Live Wire) and Daniel Faraldo (Bounty Hunters). The storyline for this film is pretty lazy and a huge step down from similar pictures like Porky's, Meatballs, Nerds, etc. The scenarios were inconsistent and corny. The hotel check-in scene, rock band singer and wet t-shirt contest were the highlights of this picture for me. There are some great 80s nostalgic moments in this; but overall, this isn't good. I would score it a 3.5-4/10.

Vintage Fun

[wdeadder · 7/10 · 9 August 2002]

Lookit, I know the humour is lame, and the plot is standard fare, but lets call a spade a spade. When this film came out, it had no intention of setting the world on fire, or raking in hordes of Oscars...it's just a teen movie.

I am a child of the 80s. In fact, Spring Break holds a very dear place in my heart as it was the first "R Rated" film I ever saw (I was 14 at the time) and it was merely fuel for my raging hormones, which was all it was supposed to be. There were millions of movies just like this in the 80s. However, as lame as this film could be considered, I strongly feel that the teen films we see now are far worse. At least the acting in this film is good (the actors did well with what they had to work with).

If nothing else, it's great to watch and remember our (fleeting) youth. I just got it on video and was afraid to watch it for fear that it was much worse than I remembered (after all, it WAS 1983 when I saw it last...19 years ago!!!). I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised. What more, even through all the bad hair and a wardrobe that makes us cringe and say "What were we thinking", the girls are still very beautiful and REAL!!! Nary an implant in sight!

Another highlight: .38 Special's "Caught Up In You" used in a great spot for the soundtrack.

Yeah, it's another 80s teen-geek-gets-laid-and-becomes-cool flick, but it's a good one!

Bellow average for the genre

[ozoneocean · 2/10 · 20 February 2012]

Even as a boobs& bikinis comedy it was dull. There were far more scantily clad men than women, which didn't improve things considering the genre of this film. The colour obviously wasn't that great on the film print either; everyone's skin is a bright angry red. The 80s styles are to be expected but no less horrible: men in short shorts with no shirt, white socks pulled up high and white tennis shoes, topped off with a boofy butt-head hairstyle.

The plot was exactly the same plot as all films of this genre, with no elaboration or clever twists: Young men go on holiday to get away from parents and "get laid". stay at cheap hotel, a corrupt developer wants to close hotel to build a resort (or something), the young men vow to help save the place. They DO save it and the nerdy one finds his true love/lust partner, everyone parties.

Characters were thin, performances were at the same level as a late 70s porn movie- that isn't hyperbole either, it's an honest description.

A Glimpse of Real 80's Spring Break with a Homo Vibe

[anchovyd · 6/10 · 18 April 2012]

First off, this movie is a decent, watchable teen sex comedy from the early 80's. Sure the jokes are a little lame by today's standards and it looks dated but this movie brought back memories of mid-80's Spring Breaks. It is fairly similar to what I experienced Spring Breaking in Panama City, Florida. The wet T-shirt contests, hot legs and hot buns contests, the clubs with pools and the emcees narrating the contests. It's all in here. So if you're looking for a good time capsule of 80's spring break, this is it.

There's a little T&A here, nothing serious. The strangest part about this movie are the four leads who end up having to share a hotel room, the two cool guys and the two nerds. Although they are all about scoring with the ladies, they do give off a very homo/fem vibe. Almost like watching the chicks from Sex and the City at spring break. For example, right after they all meet the cool Italian guy strips down to a speedo with his pubes going all over. Then the next morning they are all crammed in the little bathroom, one showering, one brushing teeth, one shaving and one dropping a deuce on the toilet. Then when they go out they all stay together drinking and hugging, go to the bathroom together, etc. They act more like girls going out rather than guys. Maybe the movie was written by a woman.

The main focus of the movie is the nerdiest one trying to lose his virginity to a pretty nerd girl who has a hot body and loves video games. The movie is nice in that the cool guys give tips to the nerds and try to help them get laid. This is a feel good movie for sure.

Bottom line: A step back in time to what it was really like in Florida at Spring Break in the early 80's. Mildly amusing and entertaining. Highly Watchable when nothing else good is on.

Stupid, unfunny and dull

[preppy-3 · 1/10 · 18 August 2012]

Pointless film about two nerds (David Knell, Perry Lang) who go to Ft. Lauderdale FL to celebrate spring break. They end up rooming with two studs (Paul Land, Steve Bassett) and the movie chronicles their supposedly "hilarious" misadventures while there.

OK--I don't know what I was expecting watching this but I didn't expect anything as bad as THIS! The "story" was stupid and predictable to an annoying extreme with clichéd characters and stupid situations. The acting was, at best, OK. Land and Bassett were nice eye candy but Knell and Lang weren't. The jokes in the film were abysmal. I think I smiled once. And, worst of all, there was next to NO T&A! I could care less about it but let's face it--the prime audience for this is horny teenage guys. They WANT gratuitous female nudity and this movie has very little. There is a somewhat nice soundtrack but that's not enough to sit through this. A 1 all the way.

The Real Spring Break..

[queenb80 · 10/10 · 19 September 2005]

Please do not confuse this film with any other spring break movie made in the last ten years. This movie is vintage 80s and has the killer soundtrack to match. I saw it when I was a kid one late night while my parents were asleep and it's been near and dear to my heart ever since. It's about a rich kid who comes to Spring Break in search of love and adventure and finds both. Other than that it has Corrine Alpha singing, many shots of Spring Break rituals and romance. The thing that separates this film from many of the other Lauderdale flicks is that it has a heart. It's a heart that likes to flash it's breasts to the beat of "Caught Up in You" by 38 Special but it's a heart none the less. David Knell is adorable and if you blink you'll miss a great butt shot of Jeff Garlin from Curb Your Enthusiasm as a drunk guy who moons the camera. Fun for everyone.

At least it's better than the official Porky's 2

[bgaiv · 6/10 · 23 July 2021]

It's obviously trying to cash in on Porky's massive success, but it's no remotely funny as Porkys. However, it's not bad for what it is and is a lot more pleasant than Porky's 2: The Next Day which went so far astray into dark material, it's almost like punishment for the first movie.

A great reason to stay home and study

[JZvezda · 2/10 · 8 March 2003]

Back in the 80's HBO and it's ugly step-sister Cinemax seemed to air the same 12 movies over and over and over. And over. "Spring Break" was one of them. We watched because we had no other choice. Oh sure, we could have watched such gems as "Highway To Heaven" or "Riptide" on broadcast TV instead, but then what the hell were our parents paying $6.50 a month on cable for?

Just like parachute pants and zipper-front tees, if you saw dumb teen-sex movies enough you got used to them. You might even start to like them. That's just about the only case I can make for not utterly despising this beer-cozy full of bile.

A point of favor must be surrendered here for equal exploitation of the sexes. While we're treated to an endless parade of bodacious ta-tas, we are also clobbered with a line-up of dorky dudes in wet Fruit Of The Looms. It's crazy. The director made an entire movie out of wet underclothes and people pouring beer on each other. What a horrid waste of product from 2 guys who work 3 jobs just to party!

Rent this to see the most painful performances by an all-girl rock band this side of Carry Nation. With lyrics like, "I want to do it, to it...I wanna do it to you", you'll want to drown *yourself* in a few thousand beers. Or the ocean.

I hate this movie. It's wretched and all known copies of it should be doused in concentrated acid and then farted on. It's bad, bad, bad and I can't wait to see it again!

Great Film!

[crushin · 4 June 2001]

I LOVED this film! It is such a reminder of the great teenage sex films of the 80's. HBO used to show this almost 24/7 and I still watch it everytime I can. Most people probably dismissed this film as being nothing more than another 80's "teenage coming of age" movie, but it really is more! Look at MTV's Spring Break yearly specials and "reality" shows. You'll see how much things REALLY have NOT changed. It should be noted that Steve Bassett who was an actor in this film went on to become one of the most loved actors in the daytime drama "As The World Turns" in the role of "Seth Snider" for many years. If you catch this film, watch it an relive the 80's fun all over again! And by no means, Don't Burn It!

Spring Break? More like Spring Sh*t

[japanman8913 · 1/10 · 6 August 2007]

I recently watched this movie, and let me start by saying it is a step up from Talledega Nights, but a step down from Jolly Roger, simply because it just wasn't funny. The movie had no real plot, well maybe it did, but it was one of the most base, and typical teen comedies to date. Although it did have a rather contrived sub-plot which was even worse than the already almost non existent one. Plot aside, the acting was abysmal, but better than some movies I've seen in the past (some actors were worse than others). But overall this movie was abysmal, and was just one step below "Private Resort", simply because Private Resort had Johnny Depp (who went on to do great things), I'm afraid this cant be said for this movie. Spring Break 1/10...and it doesn't deserve a DVD release. It deserves to be cast into the fiery anals of hell. I got it for free and I feel cheated.

Just Absolute Crap (and I like Bewbs As Much As the Next Guy)!

[atomicis · 2/10 · 11 June 2021]

This poor excuse for a movie made my brain hurt. Why so many other reviewers praised its sexy "bodacious" display of bodies is a mystery to me! There was maybe five minutes of that and it was quick cuts and glances... which I could overlook if the film had any semblance of an interesting plot. Please, skip this. In any case, you've been warned!

Not worth watching

[Maciste_Brother · 1/10 · 27 August 2003]

I was surprised by how terrible SPRING BREAK was. I wasn't expecting much. Just the usual T&A flick from the 1980s but SB was even below that expectation. The entire cast is not known to me. I doubt any of them had careers after this. All in all, a total waste of time. SB is a real step down for director Cunningham after making the now classic FRIDAY THE 13TH.

Love to watch this one on cold winter nights, good comedy!

[Teach-5f · 7/10 · 21 July 1999]

I love this movie!! I bet I've seen this one 100+ times. I taped this the first time I saw it on HBO years ago. It is a great summer beach flick. The cast meshed well together. They make you think back to when you were just out of high school (20 years this year for me). It is nice to watch fun & the sun. I also liked to music. I feel sorry for Nelson. I'm glad he gets to revenge on the step father. I have followed the movies of David Knell, Perry Lang, Steve Bassett and Paul Land. I hope to see more of them in the future. I think this movie is great light hearted fun!!!!

the nerd is dumb

[sandcrab277 · 1/10 · 3 October 2018]

The kid that plays nelson not only looks stupid he is stupid and couldn't get laid in a room full of hookers ... no wonder his step father doesn't trust him ... this film is basically a t&a get your rocks off wild party ... i went to fort lauderdale for spring break, spent a boring day and went back home ... the original movie called where the girls are was much truer to fact ...

Saw half of it ten year age and watched the other, when I finally found it at a video store

[mm-39 · 6/10 · 29 August 2002]

3 for 1 night at pick a flick, what a deal for $5.49. I rented 3 80's college movies. This one, Up the Creek, and Revenge of the Nerds. I saw this film 9 years ago when I was unemployed, on late night. I finally could fall asleep, and missed the second half. I wondered how it ended. I found this old beat up coppy, and second time around it was ok, I found the movie 9 years ago a break from Political Correctness. I don't think Hillary Clinton would like this. Around that time some films where portarying male jocks as retards, who owed an apology to everyone. I realize growing up in the 80's alot of these beer commercial guys where shallow, self centered, and lacked depth, but it is nice that this pc craze died and we can breath and laugh again. With movies like American pie etc. What I like about this film is the music, the attitude, and juvenile fun. It reminds me of my friends, but this film has no great humor here. A scene that hurts your stomach with laughter; a light hearted film 6/10

Snockered on Knockers

[wes-connors · 4/10 · 3 May 2012]

In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, virginal nerd David Knell (as Nelson) and doughy pal Perry Lang (as Adam) move in with speedo stud Paul Land (as Stu) and firmly chiseled Steve Bassett (as O.T.) for a "Spring Break" from college. The four drink a lot of beer, enjoy a "wet t-shirt" contest, and drive around. Worried about Mr. Knell's boozing pursuits, his step-father hires detectives to investigate. Knell finally gets lucky, as does sexy Jayne Modean (as Susie) when she finds her shy partner is well-endowed. Knell leaving Ms. Modean's hotel room for some Coke is a highlight. The female breasts are generously displayed, and Corinne Alphen is an asset.

**** Spring Break (3/25/83) Sean S. Cunningham ~ David Knell, Perry Lang, Paul Land, Steve Bassett

This movie rocks!

[dave-1845 · 10/10 · 22 July 2005]

This movie fueled my pre-adolescent dreams of loose chicks and beer diving. The soundtrack includes such memorable tunes as "Tijuana bring your mother to the gang-bang" and "I wanna do it to it - I wanna do it to you." This flick has made me what I am today. Bless you 'Spring Break', bless you.

Of course Spring Break isn't a master piece. It isn't supposed to be. Just one of those late night HBO flicks from the 80's that they played over and over and over again.

Since the good people at IMDb are forcing me to write at least 10 lines I guess I should try to say something more. College kids break free from the clutches of their paternal guardians and discover what it means to be ... well, drunk and stupid. The movie offers no great insight into the human mind or spirit - not every movie should. It didn't have the actors as Farris Buehler or Fast Times at Ridgemount High (nor the budget) but it was fun. Kind of a "watered-down" version of 'Girls Gone Wild' except you won't see your sister or daughter disgracing herself.

I should hate this movie...

[JohnHawk68 · 6/10 · 26 June 2021]

...but I don't. Its one of those "what was the 80's like" movies, and you tell people to watch this one. It's a no brainer romp with musical numbers thrown in for the this story line.

Spring Break was an okay time waster of a skin flick

[tavm · 5/10 · 27 April 2010]

After 25 years of seeing this movie in parts on HBO, I just went on Crackle to watch this in one sitting for the first time. The plot basically concerns four roommates at a hotel-Nelson (David Knell), Adam (Perry Lang), Stu (Paul Land), and O.T. (Steve Bassett)-out to have fun. Since this was rated R, you probably know what kind of fun they're out to have. Anyway, at least two of the guys-O.T. and Nelson-have something of a romance with a stunning rock singer named Joan (Corrine Alphen) and a cute-blonde-from-next-door type named Susie (Jayne Modean), respectively. There's also an awful subplot about Nelson's politician stepfather trying to punish him but that doesn't ruin things until the last 20 minutes. Anyway, while I liked those romances I just mentioned, especially that between Susie and Nelson, I wouldn't be amiss in mentioning that the main reason I saw this then as well as now was because of the female nudity that I expected from the rating. And both times I wasn't disappointed when I watched that early scene of Stu and O.T. just wanting to bag those sexy skanks played by Nikki Fritz and Rhonda Flynn. In fact, I watched that scene of Nikki and Rhonda disrobing twice! And the funniest line came after that when either Nelson or Adam said, "Those were Playboy tits!" Most of the rest of the picture wasn't as funny though there was another amusing moment when Nelson has trouble finding Susie's hotel room after getting some Coke cans from a machine with a great underscoring from .38 Special's "Caught Up in You". Of the rest of the supporting cast, I only recognized one Richard B. Shull as some sleazeball trying to close the hotel inhabited by the cast. He wasn't very funny here unlike when I first saw him in "Splash" all those years ago. So in summation, Spring Break was no great shakes but if you're in the mood for some T & A, it fills the need.