In Hair, a vibrant musical, we follow the journey of two young men navigating their lives during the turbulent Vietnam era, set against the rich backdrop of hippie culture. The story unfolds in the late 1960s, introducing us to Claude Hooper Bukowski (John Savage), a naive young man from Oklahoma, who arrives in New York City to explore before his enlistment in the U.S. Army. As he steps into the bustling streets, he quickly encounters a group of free-spirited hippies led by George Berger (Treat Williams), who are humorously attempting to beg for change from a trio of horseback riders.
During his adventures, Claude showcases his riding skills on a horse that the hippies have rented, which leads him to befriend one of the upper-class debutantes from the trio. Graciously accepting an invitation from the hippies to explore the city, Claude experiences a whirlwind of emotions throughout the night. He engages in smoking marijuana, which opens his eyes to the pressing societal issues of race and class during the 1960s. The following morning, George discovers an article that identifies the mysterious girl, Sheila Franklin (portrayed by Beverly D'Angelo), who finds amusement in the chaos brought by her new friends.
Amidst their escapades, the hippie group, including characters like Hud (Dorsey Wright), Jeannie (Annie Golden), and Woof (Don Dacus), infiltrates a private party where Sheila is present, further shaking the foundation of her rigid lifestyle. After their arrest, Claude, concerned for George's well-being, uses his limited funds to bail him out. A spirited musical number is born from Woof's defiance against having his hair cut, resonating with the film's title theme.
As the story progresses, George struggles to persuade Sheila to retrieve money from her affluent father, leading him back to seek assistance from his own mother. Their next adventure takes them to a peace rally in Central Park, where Claude experiences the effects of acid, leading to a profound internal conflict regarding his identity—torn between his Oklahoman roots, Sheila’s upper-class world, and the free-spirited lifestyle of the hippies.
The trip results in tension within the group, especially after a prank exposes Sheila to embarrassment. Philosophical differences regarding the Vietnam War and personal versus community responsibilities come to a head, culminating in Claude's decision to adhere to his initial plan of reporting for the draft and facing basic training.
Claude’s correspondence from training prompts Sheila to reconnect with George and the others, sparking a daring scheme to visit him at his military base in Nevada, with the assistance of Hud's fiancée (Cheryl Barnes). Their adventure involves trickery, leading to George infiltrating the Army base dressed in an Army uniform to meet Claude. Unfortunately, the urgency of deployment intervenes, and George selflessly takes Claude’s place when duty calls for immediate shipping out to Vietnam.
The film poignantly concludes months later at Arlington Cemetery, where we witness George’s gravestone as a tribute to his sacrifice—the haunting song "Let the Sunshine In" echoes as the screen captures crowds protesting for peace in Washington, underscoring the film’s enduring message about the costs of war and the pursuit of love and freedom.
