Search - The Spirit of '76 on DVD

Manuki Manuki Manuki

Jizmo | Boston | 08/30/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fun poke at 70s pop culture. It revolves around a team of time traveling scientists who come from 2176, meaning to travel to 1776, looking for The Constitution, to replace theirs lost in a magnetic storm, so they can get on with their business of running the country. Through a mechanical malfunction, they wind up in 1976 and the fun begins!

A note for historical accuracy: While the film would have to take place in 1976 to be able to poke fun at the heyday of David Cassidy and Leif Garrett - two of the film's stars - The Constitution wasn't written until Sept. 1787. The time traveling scientists would have to want to travel back to 1787, and wouldn't as likely end up in 1976. The film wouldn't be as much fun if taken place in 1987, now would it? Still, don't let that blaring inaccuracy spoil the fun for you. Just turn off your brain and enjoy the ride...


As just a couple of examples of the satirical parody within, David Cassidy's character (one of the time traveling scientists) picks up and looks at a Partridge Family lunchbox and laments about how terrible it would be if he and his companions were to be stuck there. Great self-parody.

In another scene, Tommy Chong is in a "head shop" extolling the virtues of a bicentennial bong which has pictures of the founding fathers on it's base. "See, you can learn about the presidents while you're getting wasted."

Just a few examples of the tounge-in-cheek, nose-thumbing homage to that silliest of decades. The list of cultural references goes on and on. Bicentennial fever, mile-long gas lines, pop-rocks 'n soda (remember that, Boomers?)... Too many to get into real discussion about over such a stupid (albeit painfully funny at times) movie.

The time travelers desperately need a chemical substance to fuel their time travel machine so they can to return to 2176. I won't tell you what it exactly is, but it "gets the red out". You may get the tag line reference. They only knew it by it's chemical name.

The film is really hoky and not at all important in regards to real cinema, but a good waste of 80 or so minutes when there's nothing else goin' on. Certainly for anybody born between, say, 1957 and 1964, or anybody younger looking to poke fun at their elders who lived through that era of polyester, disco, mile-high afro hair and high-heeled sneakers with bell-bottoms... wait a minute, that sounds like the summer of 2004!
Forget nostalgia Gen-Y... You'll think you're looking at a film about today! History really does repeat itself.

While a flop at the box office in 1990, I think it was a victim of timing. The 70s era got a nostalgic resurgence a little later in the 90s and certainly got a big boost more recently with VH-1s I LOVE THE 70s week. If the film came out a few years later, it might have found more popularity with moviegoers. Not that it would have been any better of a movie."

Ludicrous Nostalgia

Kent Turner | 04/25/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was a fun, but not perfect movie. If you grew up in the '70s it will definitely amuse you- if you didn't, well you may find it a bit silly but I don't think it will have the same punch.
A group of scientists sends a team back to retrieve "the Constitution" which has been lost. Only one man is old enough to remember it, and he's too senile to get the details straight. A malfunction sends the team to 1976 rather than their goal of 1776 and thus the premise of the movie. Will they find what they are looking for in the age of butterfly collars, the Carpenters and Grand Funk Railroad? Well I won't spoil the film by giving away the ending, but now you know the basic plot at least. If you are still not tempted to go out and see the movie, then it's probably not really for you. If on the other hand you are thinking, "Oh man, Grand Funk Railroad! I remember them!" then you may well find this movie very entertaining.
If you enjoy movies with the stereotypical pair of stoned (or stupid) teens ala "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", "Dude, Where's My Car?", or "Dumb and Dumber", you may enjoy this film as well, even if you have no recollection of the '70s."

Weeeeeeelllll!

Rebeca Thorvund | San Jose, California United States | 06/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How can you not get into this movie? It is so silly and tongue-in-cheek! Three time travelers (one of whom is David Cassidy) from 2176 aim to go back in time to 1776, "the birth of our nation", to retrieve the recorded history that was lost in the magnetic storm. Those big sillies! They wind up in 1976 instead and run smack into our beloved McDonald brothers (who helm Redd Kross, one of the greatest bands ever). Hilarity ensues as the time travelers attempt to learn about the history of our country while shopping for leisure suits, driving Pacers and learning to do the Hustle. There's something for everyone: a groovy soundtrack, a love story, car chases, Leif Garrett, fabulous fashions, a science fair, even the Meathead! Liam O'Brien as Rodney Snodgrass just steals the show! Sit back, relax, enjoy, and just "BE"! See this film so you won't be stuck thinking, "Watashiwa manuki!""

The 70s have never been funner!

Jodi Crockett | Hannibal, Mo | 02/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I watched this movie over 10 times and I loved every minute of it. I'm into the seventies theme, and the fashions, music, and especially the teen heart throbs ( David Cassidy and Leif Garrett) made the movie fun to watch. It's a fun movie, I think it's neat, funny, and cute. If you are a fan of David Cassidy, Leif Garrett, or of the 70s then this is the movie for you."