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Volunteers

  • 1985
  • R
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Tom Hanks, John Candy, and Rita Wilson in Volunteers (1985)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:19
1 Video
48 Photos
AdventureComedy

After graduating from Yale in 1962, womanizing Lawrence flees a gambling debt that his rich dad won't pay and takes his roomie's place as Peace Corps Volunteer in Thai Golden Triangle with t... Read allAfter graduating from Yale in 1962, womanizing Lawrence flees a gambling debt that his rich dad won't pay and takes his roomie's place as Peace Corps Volunteer in Thai Golden Triangle with two other PCVs. Will he survive two years?After graduating from Yale in 1962, womanizing Lawrence flees a gambling debt that his rich dad won't pay and takes his roomie's place as Peace Corps Volunteer in Thai Golden Triangle with two other PCVs. Will he survive two years?

  • Director
    • Nicholas Meyer
  • Writers
    • Ken Levine
    • David Isaacs
    • Keith Critchlow
  • Stars
    • Tom Hanks
    • John Candy
    • Rita Wilson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.5/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Nicholas Meyer
    • Writers
      • Ken Levine
      • David Isaacs
      • Keith Critchlow
    • Stars
      • Tom Hanks
      • John Candy
      • Rita Wilson
    • 49User reviews
    • 20Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:19
    Official Trailer

    Photos48

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    Top cast35

    Edit
    Tom Hanks
    Tom Hanks
    • Lawrence Bourne III
    John Candy
    John Candy
    • Tom Tuttle from Tacoma
    Rita Wilson
    Rita Wilson
    • Beth Wexler
    Tim Thomerson
    Tim Thomerson
    • John Reynolds
    Gedde Watanabe
    Gedde Watanabe
    • At Toon
    George Plimpton
    George Plimpton
    • Lawrence Bourne Jr.
    Ernest Harada
    Ernest Harada
    • Chung Mee
    Allan Arbus
    Allan Arbus
    • Albert Bardenaro
    Xander Berkeley
    Xander Berkeley
    • Kent Sutcliffe
    Ji-Tu Cumbuka
    Ji-Tu Cumbuka
    • Cicero
    • (as Ji-Tu Cumbaka)
    Guillermo Río
    • Sumo Guard
    • (as Guillermo del Rio)
    Jacqueline Evans
    • Aunt Eunice
    Pamela Gual
    • Tammy the Stewardess
    Philip Guilmant
    • Yale President
    • (as Phillip Giulmant)
    Chick Hearn
    Chick Hearn
    • Announcer
    Virginia Kiser
    Virginia Kiser
    • Evelyn Bourne
    Clyde Kusatsu
    Clyde Kusatsu
    • Souvanna
    Jude Mussetter
    • Bootsy Winder
    • Director
      • Nicholas Meyer
    • Writers
      • Ken Levine
      • David Isaacs
      • Keith Critchlow
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews49

    5.511.2K
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    Featured reviews

    brent-11

    I cannot get this movie out of my head.

    It's been 15 years since I've seen this film, but still; Everytime I hear Tom Hanks name, it's the first thing to pop into my head.

    For those who have enjoyed Tom's more recent movies, it's a must see. You can really see the development in his career.

    For those who have never really been interested in any of Tom's more recent "chick flicks", this movie will show you the old Tom, before he realized that... well... Chick Flicks = Oscars and $$$.

    I'm surprised I don't see it more often on T.V.

    (but I guess Oscars=money, or is it time=money.... no... Opium=money and money=power.... or is it Opium=power and.... No.. Power=mon...)

    -=-Inside joke for those who've seen the movie-=-
    9Glenrob

    Give it some credit

    I was surprised to see Volunteers rate out at just a 5 on a scale of 10. But that rating is pretty consistent across all demographics, so maybe I'm just a sucker for Hanks and Candy. I *know* I'm a sucker for Rita Wilson.

    Still, I thought the movie offered several good laughs, solid performances from all the principal characters, and a feel-good ending. If nothing else, it should have taught you the words to Washington State University's fight song!

    If you haven't seen it, rent it with an open mind. It REALLY IS better than a 5.
    7mattijam

    Who wants to be developed?

    Volunteers (1985) is quite a comedy. It can't be taken too seriously, but it does have that deeper aspect as well - it's how do we know, when those who are developed don't want to be developed. Volunteers say we don't.

    Tom Hanks isn't as convincing as he is in his later movies, but it's his teamwork with late John Candy that really gives a spark to this movie. What a comedian we lost when we lost John Candy! I would recommend Volunteers for those who enjoy clever but simply ridiculous comedy. It's the level of exaggeration that makes this movie as funny as it is. I must have watched it at least four times, and John Candy has really made me feel great every time.
    freeholder

    Very funny classic

    John Candy really shines in this classic. Don't believe the nay-sayers. This is a very funny movie. Besides, Tom Hanks met his wife while filming this picture (she co-stars). If you like Tom Hanks and John Candy, you are sure to enjoy this movie. Rent it or buy it. I watch it often.

    It is "R" rated, but mostly for language I think, as there is just one very brief scene of partial nudity. It is not nearly as bad as many present-day movies rated "R", and I would not hesitate to have my grandchildren (11 and 13) watch it.

    Bill
    8likeaviking

    Funny, Funny, Funny

    One of the funniest movies you'll find in the 99 cent rental section. Probably one of the late John Candy's most hilarious roles and you can see glimpses of the great actor that Tom Hanks has become. This movie is an excellent spoof of several movies, most notably, The Bridge on the River Kwai. I highly recommend this movie to anyone looking an hour-and-a-half of belly laughs.

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Related interests

    Still frame
    Adventure
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson met for the second time while filming this movie. Wilson originally met Hanks in 1981 on the set of Bosom Buddies (1980) when she guest-starred in the episode All You Need Is Love (1981). However, their relationship wasn't kindled until they were reunited on the set of this movie. They married four years later.
    • Goofs
      In the graduation scene, the cable to the loan shark's earphone changes position between shots.
    • Quotes

      Chung Mee: Opium is my business. The bridge mean more traffic. More traffic mean more business. More business mean money. More money mean more power.

      Lawrence Bourne III: Yeah, well, before I commit any of that to memory, would there be anything in this for me?

      Chung Mee: Speed is important in business. Time is money.

      Lawrence Bourne III: You said opium was money.

      Chung Mee: Money is Money.

      Lawrence Bourne III: Well then, what is time again?

    • Crazy credits
      Tom Hanks' character has firstname "Lawrence". Hanks saves the village. As film fades to black for credits, a large group of "volunteers" gather around Hanks. Just as black for start of credits shows, chants of "Lawrence, Lawrence, Lawrence..." are heard. Absolutely a tribute to scene of O'Toole as Lawrence of Arabia marching across traintop to chants of "Lawrence, Lawrence, Lawrence..."
    • Connections
      Featured in Biography: To John with Love: A Tribute to John Candy (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Blue Moon
      Performed by The Marcels

      Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Volunteers?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 16, 1985 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Mexico
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Voluntarios
    • Filming locations
      • Mae Hong Son, Thailand(location)
    • Production companies
      • HBO Pictures
      • Silver Screen Partners
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $19,875,740
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,184,360
      • Aug 18, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $19,875,740
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 47m(107 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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