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Weird. There goes my theory that Claude has to live his days as Berger, much like Don Draper did in Mad Men.

I've seen the musical, but it's been so long I don't remember much except the musical showed more dongs than the movie.

I feel that way about most movies. I thought that was done on purpose. It made me think of his poor mom, who just wanted to clean his pants...

Yeah, I noticed this too! This movie is a wealth of 80s maternal figures. Nell Carter from Gimme A Break. Beverly D'Angelo from Vacation.

I noticed that. I figured it was supposed to be emblematic of the military's lack of care for their soldiers. A warm body was a warm body. It seemed strange that the soldiers were only given three minutes to get ready to go overseas and then they were marching to the plane.

It was listed as a goof on IMDB, and I didn’t notice at the time, but the tombstone at the end has Berger’s name, not Claude’s. This means that at some point the military discovered the switcheroo, but didn’t do anything about it.

Wow. I hadn't thought of that. Also Claude being at Arlington would seem to mean he was dishonorably discharged for that.

So...the Sargent whose clothes they stole...he’s dead, right?

You’re saying the movie needed more hairy, 70’s dick. Got it

To build on this, I wonder, outside of counter the counter culture, how against the war America actually was at the time. Of course, when we look back at it, we know it was a stupid war, but when I look at contemporary films, an anti-war bias isn’t exactly prevalent. I’m thinking of movies like The Graduate that came out during the war, starring a character that should be concerned about being drafted now that he’s no longer in school, or the fact MASH was set in Korea because he couldn’t do a movie about Vietnam. According to this contemporary New York Times article , the war was still pretty popular in 1965-66 and that didn’t really flip flop until 69. Since this movie is set in 68, it feels like it might fill that transitional time. Even the characters that oppose or support the war seem confused as to why. Claude tells Hud he’s going to “protect him,” and the characters that try to get him out of fighting seem to do so out of self-serving motivations (e.g. “Marry me then you don’t have to go—and my baby will have a father.”) Also, there is a rally in the middle of the movie, but honestly, it’s pretty sparse whereas the protest at the end fills the streets. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but it feels to me like the movie is making a commentary regarding hindsight. That is, yes, we all know it’s stupid now, but at the time, it was a little more complicated.

IMDB has a mention of the tombstone in the Goofs section. That says the Army discovered Berger's real name at some point. They kept him since he was supposed to be drafted anyway. (He burns his draft card when we first meet the hippies.)

Poor Mrs. Garrett. She went from rich partier to housekeeper.

He must be. Otherwise he'd probably have been able to figure out the switch between Claude and Berger.

I didn't even know this came out until now! I think it's pretty good. I guess it feels like a bit of a let down after Murder Most Foul but that's a bit unfair.

I didn't like Berger because he would ham it up.

"What the fuck?"?!? They just listed four ways to fuck! Were you not paying attention?

Neither did I! I was just flipping through new releases and saw it. I agree with you. It’s a good song, but “Murder Most Foul” is freaking epic.

When a crossfit gym closes, an angel gets its paycheck.

Is that like walking around instead of driving? Depends on the roles they got. Obviously in this version of the story it would be Berger and Shelia right? Madonna as Shelia? I buy it. Springsteen as Berger... not so sure.

I think that's a lot of it. I think John Savage played Claude very well. Clearly joining the army meant something to him, even if that reason is never fully verbalized to us. Then comes in Berger that's like "No, we think it's bad so you should too." The things he does under the guise of "having a good time" are all ways to prevent him going off to war. He is essentially forcing his beliefs on him, and Claude never fully gives in. Maybe I'm reading too much into it because I disliked him, but I'm sure the trip out to Nevada wasn't about giving him one last day of fun either. Berger fully wanted him to run away and join them. Berger is a character that thinks he knows what he's doing but his plan to get money fails, his plan to get Claude back (the original at least) fails. I think that's it when he was cut off from his followers and forced to be on his own he doesn't have the tools or the means. He also truly doesn't believe in his ideologies because yes they may throw you in jail but I'm sure there are plenty of things he could have done to not fight and lead to a court martial and not fighting.

Just finished! I'm with all of you in that a) hippies suck and b ) I enjoyed this for its insanity. Every gloopy, glopy lyric is fucking amazing. I particularly liked "They'll be ga ga at the go go when they see me in my toga/ My toga made of blond, brilliantined, biblical hair/ My hair like Jesus wore it, Hallelujah, I adore it." I'm also pro-Berger dying. Fuck that guy. When it cut to Arlington, my jaw dropped. Going into the idea of whether the movie is pro or anti hippie, I think it's pro their basic ideology, but recognizes that music and free love isn't exactly effective either. It's implied that Berger doesn't just die because it was a war and that's what happens, but because he didn't possess any of the tools required to survive. He's a smart ass, but he doesn't actually know shit from shinola. He's just a dummy who thinks a goofy smile, drugs, and benign platitudes are enough to rule the day.

Maybe it's just my dislike of hippies but I really liked it. First you have the just on a thematic level that for the first time in his life he has to follow orders and it kills him. Second, because I never thought he was a great guy to begin with. He pretend to do things throughout the movie that he claims is for the best of everyone or Claude but are really about his wants. Claude has the money to get out and go to the army which is what he wants to do but Berger talks Claude into freeing himself instead. His plan for money nearly fails and while doing it he's putting the moves on the girl he's suppose to be helping Claude get with. I know the hippies are all about free love and that, but he keeps doing things so Claude can be with her, yet keeps throwing wrenches in the works whenever he can. He constantly thinks he's smarter and better than those around him and in the end truly does a selfless act.

What really bothered me about the ending is that Berger switching with Claude so he could have an afternoon with his friends is the only selfless thing he or any of the hippies do in the whole fucking movie. You know, the kind of charitable act that serves your fellow humans that hippie philosophy was supposed to be about. So of course it FUCKING KILLS HIM.

If they are in need of a replacement, Vin's The Last Witch Hunter (2015) is available on through Tubi and I would imagine most library services, and it's pretty darn great.