Sgt. Bilko (1996)

32% of critics liked it
(37 reviews)
46% of users liked it
(32,197 ratings)

The classic 1955-59 sitcom The Phil Silvers Show (also known as "You'll Never Get Rich" in its first few episodes) became this high concept comedy with an all-star cast. Steve Martin stars as U.S. Army Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko, a conniving motor pool supervisor who uses his position to… More The classic 1955-59 sitcom The Phil Silvers Show (also known as "You'll Never Get Rich" in its first few episodes) became this high concept comedy with an all-star cast. Steve Martin stars as U.S. Army Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko, a conniving motor pool supervisor who uses his position to finance various get-rich-quick schemes, including illegal gambling, at a Kansas military base. His commanding officer, Colonel Hall (Dan Aykroyd) is mostly oblivious to Bilko's antics. Trouble arrives when the master sergeant's old rival, Major Thorn (Phil Hartman), appears. It seems that Thorn, the butt of several past Bilko capers, is eager to settle the score by spearheading a review of Bilko's records and stealing away his fiancée Rita (Glenne Headley), who may have been left at the altar one too many times. At the same time, military engineer Major Ebersole (Austin Pendleton) is testing a new high-tech "hover tank" that may not be quite ready for deployment. Directed by light comedy specialist Jonathan Lynn, who brought a similar touch to My Cousin Vinny (1992) and Greedy (1994), the updated Sgt. Bilko costarred Cathy Silvers, daughter of the TV show's late star, as Lieutenant Monday. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Jonathan Lynn
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 29, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Jun 30, 1998
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Brian Lowry, Variety
Though Martin and a solid supporting cast produce a few scattered moments of near-hilarity, for the most part the terrain here is as flat as it gets.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
[A] celebration of high jinks.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
The film is full of gratifying gags like these, but it also has to strain for newly enlarged scope.
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle
Wacky is just the right tone for a spring comedy.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
One of the pleasures of the movie is all the little jokes hidden in the corners.
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today
Director Jonathan Lynn has had his hits (My Cousin Vinny) and stinkeroos (Greedy). This falls in between.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Martin's Bilko is a career grifter who comes out on top every time. He's a Bilko for the nasty '90s, oily and smug.
, Film4
Aside from the sheer insanity of trying to leap into the shoes of the irreplaceable Phil Silvers, surely Martin should have recognized that the film had no script, no gags and no discernible point.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
We've seen it before, almost frame for frame, in every other service comedy, especially Stripes.
, Time Out
This is shoddy hackwork, replaying classic scenarios (the honest new recruit, audits by Pentagon bigwigs and manoeuvres in Nevada) with such disregard for narrative structure the reels might be in the wrong order.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
A big disappointment.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
There is lots of yelling.
Kevin Fiddler, Henderson Home News (Henderson, NV)
CLassic Stevey Martin full of great one-liners.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Sgt. Bilko is a very good comedy that unfortunately is pretty underrated. Steve Martin is great here and there's plenty of good elements to make up a smart comedy. If you're going in with expectations that this will be a Hangover type comedy, you'll be very… More
Sgt. Bilko is a very good comedy that unfortunately is pretty underrated. Steve Martin is great here and there's plenty of good elements to make up a smart comedy. If you're going in with expectations that this will be a Hangover type comedy, you'll be very disappointed. This is a very funny film that is supported by a good cast, including the late, great Phil Hartman. This is a smart, witty comedy. Steve Martin is very funny here and he makes the film very enjoyable. Sgt. Bilko is a very underrated film. I don't understand why this film has gotten so many bad reviews. This is a fine comedy that will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good Steve Martin flick. Sure, this film isn't perfect, but the cast deliver good comedic performances that make this film a worthy comedy to watch. Steve Martin delivers a good comedic performance that makes this film worth it. Sgt. Bilko may not be a perfect film, but it definitely is an underrated film that doesn't deserve the flack it has received. For what it is, Sgt. Bilko is a smart comedy that has good acting, good laughs and is overall very entertaining. I very much loved this film, and I think that it has plenty of effective comedic moments to make it a worthwhile film to watch.
Spencer S

Remember those secret little comedy gems Steve Martin made in the 80's and 90's that no one ever saw but were amazing? Yeah, this isn't one of them. Sgt. Bilko is not a character anyone can empathize with. He's dishonest, depraved, and virtually unkind. The movie… More
Remember those secret little comedy gems Steve Martin made in the 80's and 90's that no one ever saw but were amazing? Yeah, this isn't one of them. Sgt. Bilko is not a character anyone can empathize with. He's dishonest, depraved, and virtually unkind. The movie explains that though he has all these faults, he boosts his platoon's morale. Since when did morale building have to include being mean spirited and rude to all hardworking soldiers and make fun of everything America was built on? Martin himself is unlikable, as he stands up his bride at the altar more than once, fixes boxing matches, runs lotteries, and charges everyone for basic necessities, including towels. Even Hartman is stuck in a role where he's supposed to be a villain who is only trying to do his job, unlike Bilko. Out for revenge for the last time Bilko basically got away with murder, Hartman's character sabotages the sergeant by being crooked. So the moral of the story is that you can do what you please, and if it makes everyone somewhat happy you can get away with it? Just plain blah.
danny d

i liked this film. it was a fun comedy, not great and i didnt actually laugh much but martin is always entertaining. this was decent.
xGary X

Not quite as horrendous as I was led to believe, but there's only ONE ernie Bilko.
Deb S

In this film Steve Martin plays Sergeant Bilko, a scam-artist behind every questionable activity and a myriad of other "victim less" crimes and rackets at Fort Baxter. It seems everybody on post is savvy to the game, except the bumbling Colonel Hall played by Dan Aykroyd.… More
In this film Steve Martin plays Sergeant Bilko, a scam-artist behind every questionable activity and a myriad of other "victim less" crimes and rackets at Fort Baxter. It seems everybody on post is savvy to the game, except the bumbling Colonel Hall played by Dan Aykroyd. Enter Major Thorn (Phil Hartman), who has it in for Bilko for lousing up his career. Thorn sets out to burn Bilko. The question is will he succeed? Glenne Headly turned in a notable performance as Bilko's long suffering girlfriend Rita Robbins.
Curt C

Acceptably funny Steve Martin comedy. Not much more to say about it than that.
The S

An ill advised big film remake of the classic Phil Silvers Show. It's not totally bad but nobody could ever hold a candle to the original ensemble of what is one of the funniest, best cast comedies ever. Perhaps we should just see this as a fans' tribute to a great old show.
Sunil J

Silly antics but pretty funny.
Leo L

Very funny!

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Steve Martin as Master Sgt. Ernest G. Bilko

            Dan Aykroyd as Col. Hall

            Phil Hartman as Maj. Thorn

            Glenne Headly as Rita Robbins

            Daryl Mitchell as Wally Holbrook

            Max Casella as Dino Paparelli

            Russell Bobbitt as Valet Parker

            Clifton Collins Jr. as Soldier

            Cheryl Francis Harrington as Corporal

            Henry Hayshi as First Technician

            Richard Herd as General Tennyson

            Rance Howard as Mr. Robbins

            John Marshall Jones as Sgt. Henshaw

            Stephen Park as Captain Moon

            Austin Pendleton as Major Ebersole

            Chris Rock as Lt. Oster

            Carol Rosenthal as G.H.Q. Corporal

            Debra Jo Rupp as Mrs. Hall

            Pamela Segall as Sgt. Raquel Barbella

            Travis Tritt as Himself

            Mitchell Whitfield as Mickey Zimmerman

            Dale Dye as First Engineer

            Frank Romano as Pit Boss

            Eric Edwards as Duane Doberman

            Derek Basco as Soldier

            John Ortiz as Luis Clemente

            Reno Wilson as Radio Disc Jockey

            Dan Ferro as Tony Morales

            Henry Hayashi as Technician

            Ursula Burton as Assistant Casino Manager

            Brian Leckner as Sam Fender

            Sally Ann Brooks as Technician

            Tami-Adrian George as Janet

            Stephan Benseman as Bartender

            Christopher Paul Hart as Nelson

            Steve Kehela as Master Sergeant Sowicki

            Lauren Weinger as Schoolgirl Actress

            Allan Bragg as D.O.D. Dignitary

            Dwayne Chattman as Soldier

            David E. Cousin as Craps Dealer

            Glenne Hartman as Rita Robbins

            Phil Headly as Major Thorn

            Sammy Micco as Blackjack Dealer

            Anthony Monroy-Marquez as Schoolboy Actor

            Carmela Rappazo as Telephone Operator

            Andrea C. Robinson as Vegas Woman

            Catherine Silvers as Lt. Monday

            Michael D. Starks as Boxing Trainer

            Lynn Tulaine as Vegas Woman
See full cast

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