Having both lost their jobs, two strangers become unlikely friends after a run in with a would be robber, who is actually a hitman with a grudge against the two.Having both lost their jobs, two strangers become unlikely friends after a run in with a would be robber, who is actually a hitman with a grudge against the two.Having both lost their jobs, two strangers become unlikely friends after a run in with a would be robber, who is actually a hitman with a grudge against the two.
Michael P. Moran
- Gun Salesman
- (as Michael Moran)
John De Bello
- Salesman
- (as John DeBello)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Recently revisited the classic The Survivors (1983) on Tubi. The storyline revolves around two individuals who, by a stroke of fate, become friends after losing their jobs simultaneously and accidentally thwarting a hitman's plan. Following these events, the younger friend decides to retreat from society and join an extreme survivalist group in the mountains, while the older friend contemplates how to bounce back financially. However, when the vengeful hitman returns, the two friends must reunite and work together once more.
Directed by Michael Ritchie (The Golden Child), the film features an exceptional cast, including Walter Matthau (Grumpy Old Men), Robin Williams (Mrs. Doubtfire), Jerry Reed (Smokey and the Bandit) and James Wainwright (Beyond Westworld).
Walter Matthau and Robin Williams absolutely nailed their respective roles. Their facial expressions, mannerisms, and delivery of dialogue were flawless from start to finish. Robin Williams brought a wild, unpredictable, and utterly engaging quality to his character, making it impossible not to embrace his random and awkward persona. Matthau's reactions to Williams were consistently hilarious, and their on-screen chemistry was spot-on. Jerry Reed played a memorable villain, and the film's circumstances were uniquely entertaining within the comedy genre.
In conclusion, The Survivors is a distinctive and well-executed addition to the comedy genre. I would rate this a 7-7.5/10 and strongly recommend it.
Directed by Michael Ritchie (The Golden Child), the film features an exceptional cast, including Walter Matthau (Grumpy Old Men), Robin Williams (Mrs. Doubtfire), Jerry Reed (Smokey and the Bandit) and James Wainwright (Beyond Westworld).
Walter Matthau and Robin Williams absolutely nailed their respective roles. Their facial expressions, mannerisms, and delivery of dialogue were flawless from start to finish. Robin Williams brought a wild, unpredictable, and utterly engaging quality to his character, making it impossible not to embrace his random and awkward persona. Matthau's reactions to Williams were consistently hilarious, and their on-screen chemistry was spot-on. Jerry Reed played a memorable villain, and the film's circumstances were uniquely entertaining within the comedy genre.
In conclusion, The Survivors is a distinctive and well-executed addition to the comedy genre. I would rate this a 7-7.5/10 and strongly recommend it.
the "survivors" is absolutely one of the finest comedies i've come across. never is williams better than when playing the deluded idiot, and this is his finest hour in that persona. matthau's opposite, more reserved approach works perfectly to temper williams' madness. and jerry reed is fantastic as the hit man who may or may not have been responsible for teamster boss jimmy hoffa's disappearance. i must urge those (and there are many) who consider this classic to be a turkey to give it another chance.
This is classic Robin Williams! The plot is full of holes and overall it's fairly pointless, but this movie makes me laugh and grin no matter how many times I watch it. The best scenes take place in a snowy New England forest, and the movie does an awesome job of capturing the atmosphere.
The Survivors was unjustly overlooked. It's a very funny and original comedy featuring one of Robin Williams' most inventive performances. It's a chance to see Williams at his most volatile and daring, before he adapted his persona to bland "family" movies like Patch Adams. He has an excellent foil here in Walter Matthau. Check it out.
I can't believe the reviews from these Roger Ebert wannabes that tear it down; it wasn't supposed to make a statement or have a sound plot --- it's a COMEDY, you idiots! The numerous one-liners in this movie are priceless, and if you can't appreciate how enjoyable it is, you've gotten way too serious about movies, folks. Its humor has withstood the test of time and it's a solid 7 of 10. This is one of Williams and Matthau's funniest and well worth your time. Would you believe that I never noticed that Robin flashed his genitals in the hospital scene until my wife saw it for the first time and pointed it out --- women have a heckuva radar for those things!
Did you know
- TriviaWalter Matthau replaced Joseph Bologna in the co-starring lead role of Sonny Paluso. The 30th November 1982 edition of show-business trade paper 'Daily Variety' reported that Bologna left the production after about two weeks of principal photography due to "creative differences". The 7th December 1982 edition of the same publication announced Matthau would be joining the cast taking over Bologna's part.
- GoofsIn the closing credits, the title for three assistant directors (Joseph Reidy, Bill Elvin, and Louis Race) is misspelled as "Second Assitant Directors."
- Quotes
Donald Quinelle: What kind of man gives cigarettes to trees?
- SoundtracksEvery Man a King
Words by Huey Long (as Gov. Huey P. Long)
Music by Castro Carazo (as Castro Caraza)
Sung by Randy Newman
- How long is The Survivors?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $12,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $14,000,000
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,044,927
- Jun 26, 1983
- Gross worldwide
- $14,000,000
- Runtime1 hour 43 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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