Movies from 1981 in Other Words Quiz

Answer: Stripes

"Stripes" is a comedy about two middle aged men who get tired of their mediocre jobs and lives and decide to join the Army. John (Bill Murray) and Russell (Harold Ramis) steal an experimental urban assault vehicle to take on a joy ride which causes their unit to go on full alert to track them down and retrieve the vehicle.

Answer: Excalibur

"Excalibur" is a fantasy film about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The movie starts with Arthur's father Uther Pendragon's desire for his ally's wife. Uther enlists the help of Merlin the Magician to help him possess her. In return, Uther must give Merlin their first born child. Igrayne gives birth to Arthur and Merlin takes him away. Nine months later, Uther, while under attack, drives the sword Excalibur into a stone so that no other man can wield it.

When Arthur comes of age, he pulls the sword from the stone and becomes king.

Answer: An American Werewolf in London

"An American Werewolf in London" is a horror film about an American tourist and his friend who get lost while hiking in the English moors. A werewolf attacks them, killing one and wounding the other. David Kessler (David Naughton) recovers from his attack but is transformed into a werewolf during full moons and attacks citizens of London.

A problem is, the people he kills end up in limbo and can't go on to a permanent afterlife unless David is killed or he kills himself.

Answer: Clash of the Titans

"Clash of the Titans" is a fantasy adventure film about the Olympian gods and Perseus, the son of Zeus and the mortal female Danaë. Danaë is the daughter of King Acrisius of Argos. After Zeus impregnates Danaë, Acrisius commits her and the newborn Perseus to the sea by putting them in a locked chest and setting it adrift.

The god Poseidon guides the crate to an island where Danaë is able to raise Perseus to adulthood. Perseus receives a sword that can cut through rock, a cloak that makes the wearer invisible, and a shield and helmet from Zeus in order to help him in his quest.

Answer: Mommie Dearest

"Mommie Dearest" is a biographical film based on the book written by Joan Crawford's adopted daughter Christina. In the film, Joan Crawford (Faye Dunaway) is depicted as a vicious mother who abuses her children mentally and physically.

Answer: Arthur

"Arthur" is a romantic comedy about an alcoholic millionaire played by Dudley Moore who, in order to keep his inheritance, must marry a pre-picked socialite that he doesn't love. Instead, he falls in love with a waitress he meets in a department store and risks losing his inheritance.

Answer: The Cannonball Run

"The Cannonball Run" is a comedy film about an illegal cross-country road race that starts on the east coast of the US and ends in California. The entrants of the race are a bunch of crazies that will do anything to win the race. Along the way, some of the racers set traps for the other racers in order to slow them down.

Answer: Taps

"Taps" is a drama about a military academy that is bought so that the grounds can be used to build condominiums. The cadets decide to take a stand and take over the school in order to prevent the closing. The confrontation becomes violent and some of the cadets lose their lives.

Answer: Escape From New York

"Escape From New York" is a near future science-fiction action film about the city of New York being transformed into prison to keep all who are convicted of bad crimes in one basket. Air Force One gets hijacked over New York and the president ejects and lands in the city and is immediately taken hostage by the prisoners.

The government recruits recently convicted felon Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) to go into New York and extract the president in exchange for a full pardon.

Answer: Quest for Fire

"Quest for Fire" is an adventure film about a clan of cave people who are driven out of their home by a rival clan. In losing their home, they also lose their fire. Since no one in the clan knows how make fire, a few members of the clan must venture out to find it.