Strike! (1998)

A spirited 1960s coming-of-age comedy-drama about a group of girls who fight to save their beloved all-girls boarding school from going coed.

Strike! - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Strike!
  • Release Year: 1998
  • Directed by: Sarah Kernochan
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Drama, Comedy
  • Runtime: 1h 37m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): August 21, 1998 (Canada), December 4, 1998 (United States)
  • Alternative Titles: The Hairy Bird (AU), The Hairy Bird (US)
  • Production Companies: Redeemable Features, Alliance Films, Miramax
  • Production Countries: Canada, United States of America

Strike! - Plot

In the 1960s, a group of friends at an all girls school learn that their school is going to be combined with a nearby all boys school. They concoct a plan to save their school while dealing with everyday problems along the way.

Strike! - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and get a taste of the rebellion:

Get ready for a radical education.

Where to Watch Strike!

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Strike! - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Sarah Kernochan

Main Cast

  • Kirsten Dunst
  • Gaby Hoffmann
  • Monica Keena
  • Rachael Leigh Cook
  • Lynn Redgrave
  • Tom Guiry
  • Vincent Kartheiser
  • Matthew Lawrence
  • Heather Matarazzo
  • Merritt Wever

Writers

  • Sarah Kernochan

Producers

  • Peter Newman
  • Ira Deutchman
  • Michael Mahoney
  • Liz Murray

Strike! - FAQs

Where can you watch Strike! (1998) online?

Strike! (1998), also known as The Hairy Bird, is available to stream or rent on various platforms depending on your region. You can check JustWatch for a full, up-to-date list of streaming services, rental options, and purchase links available in your area.

Is Strike! (1998) based on a true story?

Yes, Strike! is semi-autobiographical. Writer-director Sarah Kernochan drew on her own experiences attending an all-girls boarding school in the 1960s. The film reflects the real cultural tensions of that era, including debates over coeducation and the emerging spirit of female independence.

Who are the main actors in Strike!?

The film features an ensemble cast including Kirsten Dunst, Gaby Hoffmann, Monica Keena, Rachael Leigh Cook, Heather Matarazzo, and Merritt Wever as the students, with Lynn Redgrave as the school's headmistress. Tom Guiry, Vincent Kartheiser, and Matthew Lawrence also appear.

What is Strike! (1998) about?

Set in the 1960s, Strike! follows a spirited group of girls at an all-girls boarding school who discover their institution is set to merge with a nearby boys' school. Determined to preserve their way of life, they hatch a bold scheme to stop the merger while navigating friendship, identity, and adolescence.

Did Hayden Christensen appear in Strike! (1998)?

Yes, Hayden Christensen, years before his role as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars, appears in Strike! in a small early role as Tinka's Date. The film is notable for featuring several young actors who went on to major careers in Hollywood.

Who directed Strike! and wrote the screenplay?

Strike! was written and directed by Sarah Kernochan, an Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker making her narrative feature debut. The film is semi-autobiographical, drawing from Kernochan's own boarding school experiences in the 1960s, giving it an authentic and personal perspective.

What is the runtime of Strike! (1998)?

Strike! has a runtime of 97 minutes, approximately 1 hour and 37 minutes. The film was released in Canada on August 21, 1998, and received a limited theatrical release in the United States on December 4, 1998.

What are some movies similar to Strike! (1998)?

If you enjoyed Strike!, you might also like An Education (2009), a coming-of-age drama set in 1960s Britain, or The Bad News Bears (1976), another spirited underdog story. For a Good Time, Call... (2012) and Anne of Green Gables (1985) are also recommended for fans of female-led ensemble stories.

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