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The Spirit of '76 (1990 film) facts for kids

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The Spirit of '76
The Spirit of '76 1990 film.jpg
DVD cover
Directed by Lucas Reiner
Produced by
  • Roman Coppola
  • Fred Fuchs
Written by
  • Roman Coppola
  • Lucas Reiner
Starring
Music by David Nichtern
Cinematography Stephen Lighthill
Editing by Glen Scantlebury
Studio
  • Castle Rock Entertainment (uncredited)
  • Commercial Pictures
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date(s) October 12, 1990
Running time 82 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Money made $52,310

The Spirit of '76 is a funny movie from 1990. It makes fun of American culture from the mid-1970s. Lucas Reiner directed it. Famous actors like David Cassidy, Leif Garrett, Carl Reiner, and Rob Reiner are in it. The movie also features members of the rock bands Redd Kross and Devo. It came out on October 12, 1990.

What the Movie Is About

This movie takes place in the year 2176. A big magnetic storm has erased all recorded history. Important papers like the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are gone!

Three time travelers, Adam-11 (played by David Cassidy), Chanel-6 (played by Olivia d'Abo), and Heinz-57 (played by Geoff Hoyle), are sent back in time. Their mission is to get America's lost history. They aim for July 4, 1776. But their time machine breaks! Instead, they land in 1976, during the United States Bicentennial. This was America's 200th birthday celebration.

Adventures in the 1970s

The time travelers try to complete their mission in 1976. They wear clothes from that time, like tight bell-bottom pants. They experience many things popular in the 1970s. These include Pop Rocks candy, disco music, and long lines for gas. They even see the unique AMC Pacer car.

A science whiz named Rodney Snodgrass (Liam O'Brien) thinks they are aliens. He wants to use their time machine to win a science fair prize. Rodney's brother, Eddie Trojan (Leif Garrett), is a disco dancer. He tries to get Chanel-6's attention.

Luckily, two friendly teenagers, Tommy Sears and Chris Johnson, help the time travelers. Steve and Jeffrey McDonald from the band Redd Kross play these characters. They help fix the time machine. The time travelers return to 2176. They bring back items from the 1970s. They also have a copy of the Constitution. It was printed on a shirt bought from a seminar attendee.

Making the Movie

Many family members worked together to make The Spirit of '76. Roman Coppola helped write the script and produced the film. His sister, Sofia Coppola, designed the costumes for the movie.

Lucas Reiner wrote and directed the film. His father, Carl Reiner, and brother, Rob Reiner, both acted in small parts. Lucas Reiner's girlfriend at the time also played a waitress. She and Lucas later got married.

Casting and Music

The movie's producer, Susie Landau, helped find the actors. Once David Cassidy from The Partridge Family joined, other stars from the 1970s wanted to be in it too.

Several musicians also had small roles. Members of the new wave band Devo appeared as the "Ministry of Knowledge." Jeff McDonald and Steven Shane McDonald from the band Redd Kross played Tommy Sears and Chris Johnson. Tommy Chong appeared in a scene. Moon Zappa had a quick appearance as a "zodiac fan."

Costumes and Props

Lucas Reiner praised Sofia Coppola's costume work. She was only seventeen when they started making the movie! Sofia had to research the 1970s because she was so young then. She also designed costumes for two future time periods.

The movie had a small budget. Crew members brought their own 1970s items to use as props. The production designer, Danny Talpers, made the time machine prop. He used two hot tubs, which were popular in the 1970s. To save money, the director moved the camera back and forth during talking scenes. This was instead of using more expensive filming techniques.

Watching the Movie at Home

The Spirit of '76 was first released on VHS (video cassette) on January 22, 1992. SVS/Triumph Home Video released it. Later, Warner Home Video released it on DVD on June 3, 2003.

Movie Music

The movie features many popular songs from the 1970s. Here are some of them:

  • Average White Band – "Pick Up the Pieces"
  • Chicago – "Saturday in the Park"
  • The Carpenters – "Top of the World"
  • Grand Funk Railroad – "We're an American Band"
  • Starland Vocal Band – "Afternoon Delight"
  • Love Unlimited Orchestra – "Love's Theme"
  • Maria Muldaur – "Midnight at the Oasis"
  • The Hues Corporation – "Rock the Boat"
  • Peter Tosh – "Legalize It"
  • Blue Öyster Cult – "(Don't Fear) The Reaper"
  • Walter Murphy – "A Fifth of Beethoven"
  • Bachman–Turner Overdrive – "Takin' Care of Business"
  • Van McCoy – "The Hustle"
  • Peter Frampton – "Do You Feel Like We Do"
  • Sweet – "Fox on the Run"
  • Eli's Second Coming – "Love Chant"
  • Carl Douglas – "Kung Fu Fighting"
  • Wild Cherry – "Play That Funky Music"
  • Rick Derringer – "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo"
  • Vicki Sue Robinson – "Turn the Beat Around"
  • Edgar Winter Group – "Frankenstein"
  • The Sylvers – "Boogie Fever"
  • The Trammps – "Disco Inferno"
  • Bay City Rollers – "Saturday Night"
  • Redd Kross – "1976"
  • The Dickies – "Spirit of '76"
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