Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Dogfight (1991)
Dogfight
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Photos (see all 9 | slideshow) Videos
Dogfight (1991) -- US Home Video Trailer from Warner Bros.

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   3,289 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 4% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Nancy Savoca
Writer (WGA):
Bob Comfort (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Dogfight on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
October 1991 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Romance | War more
Plot:
1963, the night before the 18 years old "Birdlace" Eddie and his friends are shipped to Vietnam. They... more | add synopsis
User Comments:
Love story, Vietnam bound Marine & a hip '60's San Francisco anti-war girl. more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

River Phoenix ... Eddie Birdlace
Lili Taylor ... Rose
Richard Panebianco ... Berzin
Anthony Clark ... Oakie
Mitchell Whitfield ... Benjamin
Holly Near ... Rose Sr.

Elizabeth Daily ... Marcie (as E.G. Daily)
Sue Morales ... Ruth Two Bears

Christina Mastin ... Linda

Christopher Shaw ... Donavin

John Lacy ... Fector
Chris San Nicholas ... Dogfight Buddy
Brian Gotta ... Dogfight Marine
Peg Phillips ... Older Cafe Customer
Neal Allen ... Sgt. Judge
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
89 min | 94 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
River Phoenix's marine haircut (called a "high-and-tight") was deemed so unflattering that Warner Bros. requested highlights be added to Phoenix's hair to soften the young actor's appearance. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Right after Birdlace sticks the note to Rose's window, he loses his balance and falls, however in the next shot, as he is jumping over the fence to avoid Rose's attack dog, the window is empty and the note is no where to be seen. more
Quotes:
Rose: What's a 'jarhead'?
Eddie Birdlace: Oh, that's just what we call ourselves. You see, i'm a United States marine. It's okay if we say it but if a squid say's it, you know, a sailor? then it's fist city. But it's alright if a, if a woman say's it... especially if she can sing as good as you can.
Rose: Thanks. Thanks very much. Jarhead.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in A Night in the Life of Vinyl Eddie (2007) (V) more
Soundtrack:
SMOKY PLACES more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
17 out of 17 people found the following comment useful:-
Love story, Vietnam bound Marine & a hip '60's San Francisco anti-war girl., 7 June 2000
10/10
Author: Ed-145 from Northern California

Dogfight captures the feelings of the mid to late 1960's in San Francisco. It accurately shows the characteristics of young U.S. Marines destined for Vietnam. They are insensitive and cruel to the young women they invite to the 'Dogfight' because of their youth and the situation they find themselves in as G.I.'s. Being in the Air Force during this period I could relate to their crudeness as a posture taken by some young men as a defense against their environment. Being insensitive was a way to deal with their situation over which they had little control. The movie also accurately portrayed how young G.I.'s bond with other young guys who in civilian life they might not have bothered to befriend.

The love story involves a girl invited to the 'Dogfight' (a contest to see who could bring the ugliest girl) and the young Marine who brings her. She breaks through his shell of indifference and they become friends and lovers.

Lilly Taylor and River Phoenix are terrific. Their characters ring true and my wife and I cared very much about what happened to them.

Phoenix's return to S.F. after his tour in Vietnam was just as I experienced it. Although I was not returning from overseas when I returned the Bay Area in 1969, I discovered that the San Francisco of 1965 was totally gone and replaced with a foreign land.

'Dogfight' is accurately nostalgic for those of my generation and perhaps older. Younger viewers get to enjoy a truly good love story. They also get a glimpse of life as a young G.I. during that uniquely explosive period of change and social upheaval in America during the middle to late 1960's.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Dogfight (1991)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Edward's Comment 'Jesus God' Flangie
The Granddaughter comment nfmadprops04
Did he? sparkles88
Why does Rose agree to go to the party with Birdlace? chriscr-1
Was rose... clash949
question about the R rating??? hugznsmoochz111
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Forrest Gump Big Fish Giant The Kite Runner Across the Universe
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.