G.I. Jane (1997)

A female Senator succeeds in enrolling a woman into Combined Reconnaissance Team training where everyone expects her to fail.

Director:

Ridley Scott

Writers:

Danielle Alexandra (story), David Twohy (screenplay)

Stars:

Demi Moore, Viggo Mortensen, Anne Bancroft

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Demi Moore	...	Jordan O'Neill
Viggo Mortensen	...	Master Chief John James Urgayle
Anne Bancroft	...	Lillian DeHaven
Jason Beghe	...	Royce
Daniel von Bargen	...	Theodore Hayes (as Daniel Von Bargen)
John Michael Higgins	...	Chief of Staff
Kevin Gage	...	Instructor Pyro
David Warshofsky	...	Instructor Johns
David Vadim	...	Cortez
Morris Chestnut	...	McCool
Josh Hopkins	...	Flea
Jim Caviezel	...	Slovnik
Boyd Kestner	...	Wickwire
Angel David	...	Newberry
Stephen Ramsey	...	Stamm

Storyline

When a crusading chairperson of the military budget committee pressures the would be Navy secretary to begin full gender integration of the service, he offers the chance for a test case for a female trainee in the US Navy's elite SEAL/C.R.T. selection program. LT. Jordan O'Neill is given the assignment, but no one expects her to succeed in an inhumanly punishing regime that has a standard 60% dropout rate for men. However, O'Neill is determined to prove everyone wrong.

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Plot Keywords:

feminism | military | training | strong female character | soldier | 

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Taglines:

Lieutenant Jordan O'Neil wanted to join in, everybody else what's her to fail

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Genres:

Action | Drama | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and combat violence

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 August 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Matter of Honor

Filming Locations:

Beaufort, South Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,094,241, 24 August 1997, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$48,169,156

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$97,169,156

Company Credits

Production Co:

Caravan Pictures, First Independent Films, Hollywood Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While Demi Moore and the rest of the main cast endured a mini-boot camp in Florida, Viggo Mortensen prepared for the role on his own for several months. He observed the actual training in Naval Base Coronado and talked to many active and retired Navy S.E.A.L.s. Some of the other cast members, with the exception of Moore, were angry that Mortensen didn't go through what the others had to go through. That's what Mortensen wanted.

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Goofs

Near the end, when the helicopters are flying in to support the soldiers, it is possible to see in at least one shot that the Cobra helicopter's rocket pods are empty (the sun shines through the tubes from the back). Later, the same Cobra is shown firing its rockets, even though this would not be possible.

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Quotes

Lt. Blondell: Lieutenant, why are you doing this?
Lt. Jordan O'Neil: Do you ask the men the same question?
Lt. Blondell: As a matter of fact: yes, I do ask them.
Lt. Jordan O'Neil: And what do they say?
Lt. Blondell: "Cause I get to blow shit up."
Lt. Jordan O'Neil: Well, there you go.

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Alternate Versions

A director's cut has been released, and this version with cleaned-up language has been shown on syndicated TV in the US.

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Connections

Referenced in The Adam and Joe Show: Episode #3.1 (1999)

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Soundtracks

Two Wrongs Won't Make Things Right
Written by Paula Frazer
Performed by Tarnation
Courtesy of 4AD
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Worth a second look

I ignored this on it's release and caught flashes of it during it's run on HBO, there were some exciting action sequences and amazing glimpses into the hell that SEAL training requires, but somehow I just couldnt put all the pieces together. It didnt make sense.....until now. I finally watched this movie in it's entirety last night and I am hooked. Whether the film misses the target on it's "statement" is not the point. It's just a good flick. Demi Moore pulls off the roll in convincing style and Viggo Mortenson has his best part as the Master Chief of the SEAL training unit. They have this crazy dynamic between themselves that finally unfolds at the ending, leaving you wishing for just a little more. Solid action film with a great support cast and a perfectly despicable villain played to the hilt by Anne Bancroft as a Senator who compromises GI Jane for her own political gain. Well, at least she tries. I think Demi Moore is one of the most underappreciated talents in recent memory. She has this unique combination of hardass determination and sensitivity that is rare. 9/10