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The Survivors (1983)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Release Date:
16 February 1984 (Australia)
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Tagline:
Once they declare war on each other, watch out. You could die laughing. more
Plot:
Having both lost their jobs, two strangers become unlikely friends after a run in with a would be robber, who is actually a hitman with a grudge against the two. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
Script Needed to be More Finely Tuned
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Walter Matthau | ... | Sonny Paluso |
 | Robin Williams | ... | Donald Quinelle |
 | Jerry Reed | ... | Jack Locke |
| James Wainwright | ... | Wes Huntley |
| Kristen Vigard | ... | Candice Paluso |
| Annie McEnroe | ... | Doreen |
| Anne Pitoniak | ... | Betty |
| Bernard Barrow | ... | TV station manager |
| Marian Hailey | ... | Jack's Wife |
 | Joseph Carberry | ... | Detective Matt Burke |
| Skipp Lynch | ... | Wiley |
| Marilyn Cooper | ... | Waitress |
| Meg Mundy | ... | Mace Lover |
| Yudie Bank | ... | Accosted Old Lady |
| Michael P. Moran | ... | Gun Salesman (as Michael Moran) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
103 min
Country:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:AA (Ontario) |
Canada:G (Quebec) |
Canada:PA (Manitoba) |
Canada:R (Nova Scotia) |
Iceland:L |
Sweden:15 |
Australia:M |
UK:15 |
USA:R |
West Germany:16
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
When Sonny Paluso (Walter Matthau) is trying to obtain unemployment benefits, sitting directly over his left shoulder is the bad guy Jack Locke (Jerry Reed) doing the same thing.
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Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: After Sonny starts driving the taxi,and picks Jack up as a fare, you can see what appears to be a person in the back seat of the taxi just after Sonny starts driving.
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Saturday Night Live: The Best of Robin Williams (1991) (V)
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Soundtrack:
LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (26 total)
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6 out of 10
Matthau and Williams play a mismatched pair who inadvertently become involved with bad guy Reed after witnessing him holding up a restaurant. Williams seeks protection by joining a radical militia group while Matthau chases after him and tries to get him out of it.
The story certainly has the foundation for good potent satire. It hits on the serious issue of average citizens becoming vigilantes and eventually becoming more fanatical and dangerous than the criminals themselves. It peaks with a scene in a gun shop were this real little old lady starts packing herself with some really big guns. Unfortunately it becomes too soft and aimless. The result is a rather clumsy comedy with too much nonsense thrown in for cheap laughs. The films first fifteen minutes aren't even necessary.
There is also too much shifts in allegiances here, which makes it all implausible. First Williams is on the run from Reed. He even tells him off, in a funny moment, over the telephone. Then before you know it they are working together and going against the fanatical militia group that at one time Williams was really into. The final denouncement involving the true allegiance of the militia groups leader is also absurd.
There are some good laughs, but they are scattered haphazardly throughout. The best stuff comes from Williams. He seems a little out of place at first, playing the part of the henpecked businessman, but he quickly comes into his own. His shootout with Reed is the real topper. Matthau is as always consistently amusing.
The female cast is also interesting. Vigard is a nice addition as Matthau's teen daughter. She is pretty and smart, but still very sweet. Her very relaxed and casual responses to things is a nice contrast to the very frantic behaving adults. McEnroe, as Williams wife, is also interesting only because of her facial expressions which never allow you to know what she is really thinking or feeling.
Best line comes from hit man Reed: "I was raised a strict Southern Baptist. I place a high value on human life at least $20,000."