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:

Failure is not an option.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and combat violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

The medal the Chief leaves in the poetry book at the end of the movie is the Navy Cross, the second highest award for valor in combat. Only the Medal of Honor is higher and by giving it to her he showed that he felt she deserved at least a share of the award.

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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

Master Chief John Urgayle: Is there anything *else* we can do for your celebrity career, Lieutenant?
Lt. Jordan O'Neil: That will be all...
Master Chief John Urgayle: [to all the CRTs] You now have exactly *one minute* to *muster*!
Sgt. Max Pyro, Instructor: [as the CRTs are scrambling] If even *one* of you Van Winkle wannabes are late I will *personally* see to it *none* of you sleep for a week!

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Crazy Credits

The Urgayle reciting the Self-Pity poem scene is played as an audio version during the beginning of the end credits

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Alternate Versions

An alternate ending was secretly filmed without the knowledge of Disney/Hollywood Pictures Executives. When Ridley Scott first screened the film for execs, he shocked and surprised them with the ending in which Demi Moore dies. Both endings were test screened simultaneously and although the darker ending scored higher with audiences, the happier ending was chosen by executives. Similar to the surprise ending for "Thelma and Louise", the alternate ending for "G.I. Jane" was a dark yet bittersweet one. Jordan (Moore) is killed when she risks her life to save her Commander (Viggo Mortensen) then eulogized on television by the tough Senator (Ann Bancroft). Later, the camera pans through a fresh group of SEAL recruits, among them are three women.

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Connections

Referenced in The Pirates of Somalia (2017)

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Soundtracks

Dimples
Written by John Lee Hooker and James Bracken
Performed by John Lee Hooker
Courtesy of Vee-Jay Ltd. Partnership

User Reviews

Loved Viggo's Performance

I enjoyed this movie, but the most compelling thing about it for me was the awesome performance by Viggo Mortensen. I had never seen him before, and actually found myself wondering how the Navy had cleared him for making a movie. My husband was in the military and to me, this guy was so REAL that it was unreal. I could not take my eyes off of him--talk about a scene stealer. I made a point of watching the credits to find out his name and made a mental note to watch for him in the future. I knew that he was going to be a huge star, once others saw his work. I liked his performance in "Albino Alligator" and am looking forward to "A Walk on the Moon," not just for his performance but for that whole entire cast!

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

Gross USA:

$48,169,156

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$48,169,156

Company Credits

Production Co:

Caravan Pictures, First Independent Films, Hollywood Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1