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IMDbPro

Volunteers

  • 19851985
  • RR
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
9.8K
YOUR RATING
Tom Hanks, John Candy, and Rita Wilson in Volunteers (1985)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:19
1 Video
44 Photos
AdventureComedy
1962, after Yale graduation, womanizing Lawrence flees a gambling debt that his rich dad won't pay. He takes his roomie's place as Peace Corps Volunteer in Thai Golden Triangle with 2 other ... Read all1962, after Yale graduation, womanizing Lawrence flees a gambling debt that his rich dad won't pay. He takes his roomie's place as Peace Corps Volunteer in Thai Golden Triangle with 2 other PCVs. Will he survive 2 years?1962, after Yale graduation, womanizing Lawrence flees a gambling debt that his rich dad won't pay. He takes his roomie's place as Peace Corps Volunteer in Thai Golden Triangle with 2 other PCVs. Will he survive 2 years?
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
9.8K
YOUR RATING
    • Nicholas Meyer
    • Ken Levine(screenplay by)
    • David Isaacs(screenplay by)
    • Keith Critchlow(story by)
  • Stars
    • Tom Hanks
    • John Candy
    • Rita Wilson
    • Nicholas Meyer
    • Ken Levine(screenplay by)
    • David Isaacs(screenplay by)
    • Keith Critchlow(story by)
  • Stars
    • Tom Hanks
    • John Candy
    • Rita Wilson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 47User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro

    • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:19
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos44

    Tom Hanks and John Candy in Volunteers (1985)
    The Man with Two Brains (1983)
    Tom Hanks, John Candy, and Rita Wilson in Volunteers (1985)
    Tom Hanks and John Candy in Volunteers (1985)
    Tom Hanks, John Candy, and Rita Wilson in Volunteers (1985)
    Tom Hanks and Jude Mussetter in Volunteers (1985)
    John Candy in Volunteers (1985)
    Tom Hanks and Virginia Kiser in Volunteers (1985)
    Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, and Tim Thomerson in Volunteers (1985)
    Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in Volunteers (1985)
    Tom Hanks in Volunteers (1985)
    Tom Hanks, John Candy, and Rita Wilson in Volunteers (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tom Hanks
    Tom Hanks
    • Lawrence Bourne III
    John Candy
    John Candy
    • Tom Tuttle from Tacoma
    Rita Wilson
    Rita Wilson
    • Beth Wexler
    Tim Thomerson
    Tim Thomerson
    • John Reynolds
    Gedde Watanabe
    Gedde Watanabe
    • At Toon
    George Plimpton
    George Plimpton
    • Lawrence Bourne Jr.
    Ernest Harada
    Ernest Harada
    • Chung Mee
    Allan Arbus
    Allan Arbus
    • Albert Bardenaro
    Xander Berkeley
    Xander Berkeley
    • Kent Sutcliffe
    Ji-Tu Cumbuka
    Ji-Tu Cumbuka
    • Cicero
    • (as Ji-Tu Cumbaka)
    Guillermo Río
    • Sumo Guard
    • (as Guillermo del Rio)
    Jacqueline Evans
    • Aunt Eunice
    Pamela Gual
    • Tammy the Stewardess
    Philip Guilmant
    • Yale President
    • (as Phillip Giulmant)
    Chick Hearn
    Chick Hearn
    • Announcer
    Virginia Kiser
    Virginia Kiser
    • Evelyn Bourne
    Clyde Kusatsu
    Clyde Kusatsu
    • Souvanna
    Jude Mussetter
    • Bootsy Winder
      • Nicholas Meyer
      • Ken Levine(screenplay by)
      • David Isaacs(screenplay by)
      • Keith Critchlow(story by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson met for the second time while filming this movie. Wilson originally met Hanks in 1981 on the set of Bosom Buddies (1980) when she guest-starred in the episode All You Need Is Love (1981). However, their relationship wasn't kindled until they were reunited on the set of this movie. The pair married three years later.
    • Goofs
      On their flight to Lung Taho they are using a Bell 212 (a twin turbine version of the military Bell 202/Huey 1a). Bell did not start manufacturing the Bell 212 (known in military service as the Huey 1d) until 1967. The first models where not shipped till 1968. The movie is set in 1962.
    • Quotes

      Chung Mee: Opium is my business. The bridge mean more traffic. More traffic mean more business. More business mean money. More money mean more power.

      Lawrence Bourne III: Yeah, well, before I commit any of that to memory, would there be anything in this for me?

      Chung Mee: Speed is important in business. Time is money.

      Lawrence Bourne III: You said opium was money.

      Chung Mee: Money is Money.

      Lawrence Bourne III: Well then, what is time again?

    • Crazy credits
      Tom Hanks' character has firstname "Lawrence". Hanks saves the village. As film fades to black for credits, a large group of "volunteers" gather around Hanks. Just as black for start of credits shows, chants of "Lawrence, Lawrence, Lawrence..." are heard. Absolutely a tribute to scene of O'Toole as Lawrence of Arabia marching across traintop to chants of "Lawrence, Lawrence, Lawrence..."
    • Connections
      Featured in Biography: To John with Love: A Tribute to John Candy (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Blue Moon
      Performed by The Marcels
      Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart

    User reviews47

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    One pretty funny movie
    I don't see why this film has such a bad reputation, and is probably regarded as the worst in Tom Hanks' career. Sure, it's no "Forrest Gump," but as a broad comedy it works out well. Hanks is passionate about every role he plays, and this case was no different. He's very funny as his snooty rich character. Adding to the comic relief are Gedde Watanabe (of "Sixteen Candles") and the always-funny John Candy. The plot is predictable, but there are many amusing moments. Plus, it's refreshing to see a comedy that's Rated R!!! Sure, it's no hard R, but nowadays filmmakers are so afraid to release comedies with R-ratings that it's not even funny--no pun intended.

    My score: 7 (out of 10)
    helpful•29
    5
    • MovieLuvaMatt
    • Jan 14, 2004

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 16, 1985 (United States)
      • United States
      • Mexico
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Mae Hong Son, Thailand
    • Production companies
      • HBO Pictures
      • Silver Screen Partners
      • TriStar Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 47 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby SR

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