Starship Troopers (1997)

Country of Origin: USA
Year of Production: 1996
Running Times: 129 mins
Length: 3669 metres
Format: Technicolor 35mm
Ratio: 1.85:1
Sound: DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

(Full credits)

PRODUCTION
Production Companies: Big Bug Pictures / Touchstone Pictures / TriStar Pictures
Production Executive: Louis G. Friedman
Producers: Jon Davison, Alan Marshall
Co-Producers: Frances Doel, Stacy Lumbrezer, Ed Neumeier, Phil Tippett

SCRIPT
Script: Ed Neumeier
Book: Robert A. Heinlein

DIRECTION
Director: Paul Verhoeven
2nd Unit Director: Vic Armstrong

PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography: Jost Vacano
2nd Unit Director of Photography: Anette Haellmigk

EDITING AND POST-PRODUCTION
Editors: Mark Goldblatt, Caroline Ross

MUSIC
Music / Conductor: Basil Poledouris
Songs: Zoë Poledouris (Into It); David Bowie, Brian Eno (I Have Not Been To Oxford Town); Karen Poole, Terence Martin, Michelle Poole (Intense); Hope Sandoval, David Roback (Fade Into You); Jake Cavaliere, Johnny De Villa (Pier Thirteen)
Songs Performed By: Zoë Poledouris (Into It; I Have Not Been To Oxford Town); Alisha's Attic (Intense); Mazzy Star (Fade Into You); The Bomboras (Pier Thirteen)

SOUND
Sound Supervisor: Stephen Hunter Flick
Sound Designers: Harry Cohen, John Pospisil, Randy Thom, Stephen Hunter Flick
Sound Recordist: Tony Araki, Dan Sharp

MAKE UP AND COSTUMES
Key Make Up: John Blake
Make Up: Bill Myer, Timothy A. Miguel (uncredited)
Key Hair: Kathryn Blondell
Hair: Janice Alexander
Costume Designer: Ellen Mirojnick

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Special Effects Supervisor: John Richardson
Special Effects Coordinator: John McLeod
Creature Effects: Ken Niederbaumer
Full Scale Creature Effects: Alec Gillis, Tom Woodruff Jr

VISUAL EFFECTS
Visual Effects: Amalgamated Dynamics; Back From the Ranch Entertainment; Boss Film Studios; Industrial Light and Magic; Mass-Illusion; Pacific Title Digital; Pixel Liberation Front; POP Film; Sony Pictures Imageworks; Thunderstone; Tippett Studio; VCE; VFX

DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION
Production Designer: Allan Cameron
Art Directors: Bruce Robert Hill, Steven Wolff
Assistant Art Director: Robert Fechtman

LOCATIONS
Locations: Baldwin Park, California, USA; California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA; Hell's Half Acre, Wyoming, USA; Kadoka, South Dakota, USA; Los Angeles Convention Center, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA; Mile Square Park, Fountain Valley, California, USA; The Pyramid, California State University, Long Beach, California, USA

STUNTS
Stunt Coordinator: Vic Armstrong
Co-Stunt Coordinator: Dickey Beer
Stunts: Casey Pieretti, Clarke Coleman, Clint Lilley, Dana Dru Evenson, Donna Evans, Erik Stabenau, Eugene Collier, Felipe Savahge, Francine Morris, Garrett Warren, Gilbert Rosales, Jamie Keyser, Jason Ybarra, Jesse Johnson, Jim Palmer, Joey Box, Johnny Martin, Laura Albert, Leon Delaney, Lisa Dempsey, Mark De Alessandro, Michael Papajohn, Mike Smith, Paul Eliopoulos, Paula Wayton, Raliegh Wilson, Robby Robinson, Ryan Keating, Shelby Swatek, Tanner Gill, Tim Gilbert, Tony Angelotti, Vinita McClennon, Jill Brown (uncredited), David Fordham (uncredited), Al Goto (uncredited)

CASTING
Casting: Elaine J. Huzzar, Johanna Ray

CAST
Casper Van Dien (Johnny Rico)
Dina Meyer (Dizzy Flores)
Denise Richards (Carmen Ibanez)
Jake Busey (Ace Levy)
Neil Patrick Harris (Carl Jenkins)
Clancy Brown (Zim)
Seth Gilliam (Sugar Watkins)
Patrick Muldoon (Zander Barcalow)
Michael Ironside (Jean Rasczak)
Rue McClanahan (biology teacher)
Marshall Bell (General Owen)
Eric Bruskotter (Breckinridge)
Matt Levin (Kitten Smith)
Blake Lindsley (Katrina McIntire)
Anthony Michael Ruivivar (Shujumi)
Brenda Strong (Captain Deladier)
Dean Norris (Major)
Christopher Curry (Bill Rico)
Lenore Kasdorf (Mrs Rico)
Tami-Adrian George (Djana'D)
Teo (Bronski)
Steven Ford (Willy)
Ungela Brockman (Birdie)
Curnal Achilles Aulisio (Gillespie)
Greg Travis (network correspondent)
Bruce Gray (Sky Marshal Dienes)
Denise Dowse (Sky Marshal Tehat Meru)
John Cunningham (Federation Network announcer)
Julianna McCarthy (Expert 1)
Timothy McNeil (Expert 2)
Robert David Hall (recruiting sergeant)
Brad Kane (Lanny)
Amy Smart (Cadet Lumbreiser)
Timothy Omundson (psychic)
Patrick Bishop (Rodger Young engineering officer)
Hunter Bodine (Young Cap Trooper)
Travis Lowen (boy trooper)
Patrick Wolff (male pilot cadet)
Mara Duronslet (Rodger Young communications officer)
Dale A. Dye (General)
Michael Stokey (officer)
Tyrone Tann (student)
Matt Entriken (Marco)
Eric DaRe (medic)
Ronald L. Botchan (airball referee)
Walter Adrian (judge)
Stephanie Erb (young mother)
Alexi Lakatos (stomping kid 1)
Nathaniel Marshall (stomping kid 2)
Austin Sanderford (stomping kid 3)
Rhiannon Vigil (stomping kid 4)

PLOT SUMMARY

In the future, the Earth is at war with a race of alien bugs from the planet Klendathu. A group of eager teenagers enrol in the military and are soon in the thick of the action. For some, this means the relative safety of the space fleet, while for others it's a terrifying in the mobile infantry, the frontline troops in the battle with the bugs.

Despite some appalling performances, Starship Troopers is a first rate, state of the art action movie marking Verhoeven's return to science fiction in some style. It effectively spoofs the old style Hollywood war movies while taking sly potshots at contemporary U.S. media, as Verhoeven had already done so effectively in Robocop (1987). Great action scenes, some revolting aliens and a satirical edge combine in an under-rated return to form for Verhoeven, though with so many liberties taken by the writers, it's not one for Heinlein purists.

Argentina
Theatrical Distributor: Buena Vista International
Video Distributor: Gativideo

Australia
DVD Distributor: Touchstone Home Video (1999)

Belgium
DVD Distributor: Touchstone Home Video (1999)

French
Theatrical Distributor: Gaumont Buena Vista International
DVD Distributor: Touchstone Home Video (1999)

Germany
Theatrical Distributor: Buena Vista International
DVD Distributor: Touchstone Home Video (Z5 34554 (1999))

Japan
Theatrical Distributor: Buena Vista International

Luxembourg
DVD Distributor: Touchstone Home Video (1999)

Netherlands
DVD Distributor: Touchstone Home Video (1999)

Portugal
Theatrical Distributor: Filmes Lusomundo

Spain
Theatrical Distributor: Buena Vista International Spain S.A.

UK
DVD Distributor: Touchstone Home Video (D034554 (1999))

USA
Theatrical Distributor: TriStar Pictures
Video Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Video
Laserdisc Distributor: Columbia/Tristar (71716 (1998))
DVD Distributor: Columbia/Tristar (71719 (1998)); Columbia/Tristar Special Edition (06672 (1998)); Columbia/Tristar Superbit (01227 (2003))

Argentina
Rating: 13

Australia
Rating: MA

Belgium
Rating: KNT

Brazil
Rating: 12

Canada
Rating: 18A

Chile
Rating: 14

Denmark
Rating: 11

Finland
Rating: K-16

France
Rating: -12

Germany
Rating: 18 (JK/SPIO)

Ireland
Rating: 18

Italy
Rating: T

Netherlands
Rating: 16

Norway
Rating: 15

Portugal
Rating: M/16

Singapore
Rating: PG

Spain
Rating: 18

Sweden
Rating: 15

UK
Rating: 18

USA
Rating: R (for graphic sci-fi violence and gore, and for some language and nudity)

1998
Academy Awards, USA
Best Effects, Visual Effects (Phil Tippett, Scott E. Anderson, Alec Gillis, John Richardson) - nominated

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, USA (Saturn Awards)
Best Costumes (Ellen Mirojnick) - winner
Best Special Effects (Phil Tippett, Scott E. Anderson, Alec Gillis, Tom Woodruff Jr, John Richardson) - winner

Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, USA
Favorite Female Newcomer (Denise Richards) - nominated
Favorite Male Newcomer (Casper Van Dien) - nominated

Golden Satellite Awards, USA
Best Motion Picture - Animated or Mixed Media (Jon Davison, Alan Marshall) - nominated
Outstanding Visual Effects (Phil Tippett, Scott E. Anderson) - nominated

Hugo Awards
Best Dramatic Presentation - nominated

MTV Movie Awards
Best Action Sequence – nominated (for the bugs attacking the fortress)

Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA (Golden Reel Awards)
Best Sound Editing: Dialogue and ADR - nominated
Best Sound Editing: Sound Effects and Foley - nominated

World Animation Celebration
WAC Winner Best Use of Animation as a Special FX in a Theatrical – 2nd place

1996
April
29: USA – production begins

September
Day Unknown: USA – production ends

1997
November
7: Canada, USA – theatrical release
20: Singapore – theatrical release
29: South Korea – theatrical release

December
18: Hong Kong – theatrical release
26: Iceland – theatrical release
30: Thailand – theatrical release

1998
January
1: Argentina – theatrical release
2: Ireland, Sweden, UK – theatrical release
7: Russia – theatrical release
8: Netherlands – theatrical release
14: Belgium – theatrical release
15: Hungary, Slovakia – theatrical release
21: France, Switzerland (French speaking region) – theatrical release
22: Chile – theatrical release
23: Estonia – theatrical release
29: Germany – theatrical release
30: Austria, Finland, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland (German speaking region) – theatrical release

February
5: Australia, New Zealand – theatrical release
11: Slovenia – theatrical release
27: Brazil, Italy – theatrical release

March
6: Norway – theatrical release

April
3: Poland – theatrical release

1999
May
2: Japan – theatrical release
15: Denmark – theatrical release
19: USA - laserdisc release (Columbia/Tristar (71716)); DVD release (Columbia/Tristar (71719); Columbia/Tristar Special Edition (06672)); France - DVD release (Touchstone Home Video)
20: Germany - DVD release (Touchstone Home Video (Z5 34554))

April
28: UK - DVD release (Touchstone Home Video (D034554))

October
7: Kuwait – theatrical release

2003
August
5: USA - DVD release (Columbia/Tristar Superbit (01227))

Prepare for Battle

The paratroopers of the future are here... and their enemies aren't HUMAN

A new kind of enemy. A new kind of war.

When you battle 6 trillion enemies that will eat you alive, there are only two rules... EVERYONE FIGHTS. NO ONE QUITS.

The only good bug is a dead bug

Mankind just became an endangered species

Forget the insecticide, bring on the nukes!

You can't step on these ones

In Every age their is a cause worth fighting for, but in the future the greatest threat to our survival will not be man at all. Now the youth of tomorrow must travel across the stars to face an enemy more devastating then any ever imagined.

They Came to Our Planet, They destroyed our cities, But on November 7th, They'll learn, They messed, With the wrong species.

This Fall, Tristar Pictures takes you to the front lines of the next frontier.

Infanteria stelara - Romanian title
Invasión (Starship Troopers) - Argentinian title
Soldados do Universo - Portugese title
Starship Troopers - Fanteria dello spazio - Italian title
Starship troopers - Universumin sotilaat - Finnish title
Starship troopers: Las brigadas del espacio - Spanish title
Vesoljski bojevniki - Slovenian title

SEQUELS
Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles (1999)
Starship Troopers (2000)
Starship Troopers 2 (2004)

FOOTAGE INCLUDED IN
Attack of the 50 Foot Monster Mania (1999)
Basil Poledouris: His Life and Music (1997)
1st Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster Review (1997)
In the Shadow of Hollywood (2000)
Starships of Starship Troopers, The (2002)
Death From Above: The Making of 'Starship Troopers' (2002)
Know Your Foe (2002)
Impostor (2002)

PERIODICALS

Cinefantastique vol.29 no.6/7 (November 1997) pp.8-9 (USA)
illustrated article (Paul Verhoeven's take on the classic of interstellar warfare by Dan Persons)

Cinema no.234 (November 1997) pp.116–117 (Germany)
illustrated article (Am Set: Starship Troopers by Scott Orlin)

Empire February 1998 p.32 (UK)
review (by Ian Nathan)

Film Review February 1998 p.17 (UK)
review (by Nick Briggs)

Notícias Vídeo April 1999 p.34 (Portugal)
review (by José De Matos-Cruz)

Première February 1998 p.34 (France)
review (by Jean-Yves Katelan)

Premiere vol.10 no.2 (October 1996) pp.24-25 (USA)
illustrated article (Verhoeven's 'Starship' Bloopers by Mark Ebner)

Premiere vol.11 no.3 (November 1997) pp.74-77 (USA)
illustrated article (House of Buggin' by Trish Deitch Rohrer)

Total Film February 1998 p.87 (UK)
review (by Dean Evans)

Total Film August 1998 p.96 (UK)
review (by Simon Crook)

NEWSPAPERS

Aftonbladet 2 January 1998 (Sweden)
review (by Suverän action för hela slanten by Jan-Olov Andersson)

A Capital 30 January 1998. (Portugal)
review (by Rui Brazuna)

A Capital, Guia TV 9 October 1998 (Portugal)
review (by Rui Brazuna)

Diário de Notícias 29 January 1998 (Portugal)
review (by Nuno Henrique Luz)

aliens, amputations, the army, asteroids, book into film, brains, decapitations, dismemberment, dissection, fascism, the future, giant insects, gore, infantry, insects, the media, military, mutilation, nuclear weapons, psychics, rape, satire, sex, showers, soldiers, space, space stations, space travel, space wars, spaceships, splatter, telepaths, telepathy, vomiting

Last Updated: 28 January, 2010