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

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

Prior to filming, Demi Moore attempted to contact President Bill Clinton to request assistance from the U.S. Department of Defense in producing the film. She was unsuccessful.

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Goofs

At the end during the recovery, the attack helicopter is seen carrying 2.75" "Zuni" rocket pods. When the gunship is facing head on at the camera, you can see the pods are empty. It later fires 4 rockets at the bad guys on the ground.

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Quotes

Sgt. Cortez: Hey, O'Neil! I'd go to war with you any day!

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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 How to Make It in America: Pilot (2010)

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Soundtracks

Mama Told Me Not to Come
Written by Randy Newman
Performed by Three Dog Night
Courtesy of MCA Records
By Arrangement with MCA Special Markets and Products

User Reviews

Hoo-yah!

Demi Moore shines with shiners and a bit more in an often brutal film about the first woman to enter the elite Navy SEALS training. While some scenes in the movie, such as the confusing end battle, seem a little out of place (exactly who were the trainees fighting?) the film moves along with startling pace and precision. Moore, who as everyone knows shaved her head for the role of Jordan O'Neill, is tough but feminine and internally vulnerable as a woman scorned by her male teammates. The most violent scene in the film comes during the survival exercise in which O'Neill is bashed around by the Master Chief. It's gruesome but necessary, and O'Neill earns her fellow trainees' support during the ordeal.