Sgt. Bilko
A lovable Army motor-pool hustler turns military bureaucracy into a playground of scams when an old enemy threatens his livelihood and engagement.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- irreverent
- witty
- breezy
- lazy sunday
- comedy night
What critics said
Critics found Steve Martin's energetic performance and scattered jokes appealing, but broadly regarded the revival as uneven and derivative.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bilko's motor-pool operation and the inspection of his records drive jokes about Army administration and institutional rules.
Ernest Bilko runs gambling facilities and relies on elaborate schemes when Colonel Hall threatens his operation and relationship.
Bilko puts his gambling network and soldiers to work on increasingly creative plans against his old enemy.
The film revives the Sgt. Bilko character from The Phil Silvers Show in a 1990s theatrical comedy.
Films like Sgt. Bilko, and why
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
broad physical comedy, charismatic con-artist protagonist, and escalating schemes
Stripes
irreverent military spoofing, ensemble comic timing, and mischievous rule-breaking
The Pentagon Wars
fast-talking workplace schemes, broad humor, and a resourceful comic lead
Movie Details
- Director
- Jonathan Lynn
- Release Date
- 1996-03-29
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (407)
Cast
- Steve Martin
- Dan Aykroyd
- Phil Hartman
- Glenne Headly
- Daryl Mitchell
- Max Casella
- Eric Edwards
- Dan Ferro
- John Marshall Jones
- Brian Leckner
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Sgt. Bilko about?
- A lovable Army motor-pool hustler turns military bureaucracy into a playground of scams when an old enemy threatens his livelihood and engagement.
- What is Sgt. Bilko like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Sgt. Bilko as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Sgt. Bilko violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Sgt. Bilko.
- What did critics think of Sgt. Bilko?
- Critics found Steve Martin's energetic performance and scattered jokes appealing, but broadly regarded the revival as uneven and derivative.
- Which films are like Sgt. Bilko?
- Films with a similar feel include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Stripes, and The Pentagon Wars.
- How long is Sgt. Bilko?
- Sgt. Bilko runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Sgt. Bilko?
- In United States, Sgt. Bilko is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
