The Spirit of '76

1990
PG-13
1h 22m

IMDb RATING

5.8/10

865

YOUR RATING

Olivia d'Abo and David Cassidy in The Spirit of '76 (1990)

Home Video Trailer from Columbia Tristar

Play trailer1:45

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Parody Satire Comedy Sci-Fi

In 2176, a magnetic storm erases all recorded history, including the U.S. Constitution, so, three time travelers are sent back to July 4, 1776, to retrieve the heritage, but end up in 1976's... Read allIn 2176, a magnetic storm erases all recorded history, including the U.S. Constitution, so, three time travelers are sent back to July 4, 1776, to retrieve the heritage, but end up in 1976's Bicentennial, while being perceived as aliens.In 2176, a magnetic storm erases all recorded history, including the U.S. Constitution, so, three time travelers are sent back to July 4, 1776, to retrieve the heritage, but end up in 1976's Bicentennial, while being perceived as aliens.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.8/10

865

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Videos1

Trailer 1:45

Watch Spirit of '76

Photos

Top cast48

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Mark Mothersbaugh

Chevron-17
(as Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo)

Gerald Casale

Yale-44
(as Gerald V. Casale of Devo)

Carl Reiner

Dr. Von Mobil

Nancye Ferguson

Nurse

David Cassidy

Adam-11

Bob Casale

Ron-29
(as Bob Casale of Devo)

David Kendrick

Ron-31
(as David Kendrick of Devo)

Geoff Hoyle

Heinz-57

Olivia d'Abo

Chanel-6

Jeffrey McDonald

Chris Johnson
(as Jeff McDonald)

Steve McDonald

Tommy Sears

Liam O'Brien

Rodney Snodgrass

Ann Block

Chris' Mom

Charles Dean

Chris' Dad

Martin von Haselberg

Agent 1

Brian Routh

Agent 2

Leif Garrett

Eddie Trojan

Moon Unit Zappa

Cheryl Dickman
(as Moon Zappa)

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Although they had met during the 1970s when they were both teen idols, David Cassidy and Leif Garrett became close friends while making this film.

Goofs
When Eddie Trojan and Chanel-6 are riding in Eddie's car the song 'Don't Fear The Reaper' by Blue Oyster Cult is playing. The date is July 4, 1976. 'Don't Fear The Reaper' was not recorded until August 1976, and it became a billboard hit in November 1976.

Quotes
Dr. Von Mobil: We, the People, have a right to remain silent. Anything you say may be used against you. One nation, invisible, with Liberty and Christmas for all.

Crazy credits
The closing credits of the movie featured the zodiac sign symbol of each cast and crew member on the production next to their name.

Alternate versions
The DVD version has three songs omitted, that were on the VHS copy, "Taking Care Of Business" by BTO, "Fox On The Run" by The Sweet, and "Rock The Boat" by the Hues Corporation. Generic music is played in their place.

Connections
References Mission: Impossible (1966)

Soundtracks
Pick Up The Pieces
Written by Roger Ball, Malcolm Duncan, Robbie McIntosh,
Onnie McIntyre, Alan Gorrie, Hamish Stuart
Performed by Average White Band
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products
Used with kind permission of the publishers: Average Music, administered by Bug; Hamish Stuart dba Joe's Songs; Hit and Run Music (Publishing) Ltd.,
administered by Hit and Run Music Publishing, Inc.

User reviews23

Review

Featured review

Political satire disguised as Silly Comedy

Founding USA documents have descended to tee-shirt decorations and ornamental kitsch. The draft and political oppression are in full swing. The one person who can explain things to a time-traveler works in a peep show. The great ideas on which this country were founded have become mere commercial garbage to cash in on, not principles to live by.

I thought it was brilliant satire. A similar point is made in "Time After Time" (1979) where HG Wells pursues Jack the Ripper to modern San Francisco and is astonished to see some ideas he had written about brought to life. The nearly magical technology of telephones for example, has been reduced to a toy in the form of a Mickey Mouse telephone. That difference between ideas and actual practice is what drives this movie, which is far more than a comedy, successful or otherwise.