Stir Crazy

Stir Crazy

Year: 1980

Runtime: 111 min

Language: English

ComedyCrime

Two small-time crooks find themselves in a hilarious predicament after being sent to prison. While serving their sentence, they devise a plan to break out, but their escape takes an unexpected turn when one of them reveals a surprising talent at the jail's annual rodeo. What begins as a desperate bid for freedom quickly evolves into a thrilling and chaotic adventure as they navigate the challenges of life on the run.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Stir Crazy yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Stir Crazy (1980)

Trace every key event in Stir Crazy (1980) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Fired from New York Jobs

Writers Skip Donahue and actor Harry Monroe are abruptly dismissed from their jobs in New York. Faced with financial uncertainty, they decide to head to Hollywood in search of new opportunities.

New York
2

Odd Jobs in Transit

On their journey to Hollywood, Skip and Harry take on various odd jobs to fund their travel. One of these gigs leads them to don costumes as woodpeckers for a bank promotion.

3

Costume Theft and Bank Heist

During a break from their performance, Skip and Harry leave their costumes unattended. Thieves seize the opportunity to steal the costumes and use them to rob the bank, resulting in immediate arrests for Skip and Harry.

Bank
4

Speedy Trial and Sentencing

Quickly whisked through a comically absurd trial, Skip and Harry are sentenced to an outrageous 125 years in prison. Their court-appointed lawyer, Len Garber, advises them to wait for an appeal.

Courtroom
5

Life in Maximum-Security Prison

The harsh reality of prison life sets in as Skip and Harry navigate the challenges of maximum-security. They meet Jesus Ramirez and Rory Schultebrand, who introduce them to the prison's dynamics and its dangerous inhabitants.

Prison
6

Warden's Rodeo Test

After three months, Skip and Harry are summoned by Warden Walter Beatty for a test involving a mechanical bull. To everyone's shock, Skip rides it like a pro, earning a spot in the prison's annual rodeo competition.

Warden's Office
7

Rodeo's True Nature Revealed

Jesus and Rory reveal to Skip and Harry that the rodeo is a crooked scheme benefiting the wardens. They devise a plan that requires Skip to refuse participation in order to negotiate a better deal.

8

Increased Aggression by Guards

As Skip continues to defy participation in the rodeo, Warden Beatty and Deputy Wilson escalate their efforts to break him down. They enforce harsh prison conditions, including hard labor and solitary confinement.

Prison
9

Planning for Escape

With the pressures mounting, Skip and Harry, along with their new allies in prison, begin to secretly prepare for their escape. Utilizing the prison's metal shop, they craft tools disguised as regular items.

Prison Metal Shop
10

Rodeo Competition Day

The day of the prison rodeo arrives, and Skip skillfully competes, appearing to comply while secretly planning for escape. Despite attempts on his life by rival inmates, he remains determined.

Prison Rodeo Arena
11

Successful Execution of the Escape Plan

During the chaotic rodeo, Skip and his friends execute their escape plan flawlessly. They slip away through secret passages while disguising themselves among the crowd.

Prison Grounds
12

Final Confrontation

As Skip is about to escape, Deputy Graham tries to stop him but is thwarted by Grossberger, who knocks him out. Skip makes his way into a waiting pushcart that leads him to freedom.

13

Meeting the Real Criminals

After escaping, Harry and Skip are reunited with Len Garber and Meredith, who have uncovered the real bank robbers. Their confessions clear Skip and Harry of the charges against them.

Parking Lot
14

Plans to Return to Hollywood

With their names cleared, Skip and Harry enthusiastically decide to resume their journey to Hollywood. Skip seizes the moment to invite Meredith to accompany them, and she unexpectedly agrees.

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36

Unlock the Full Story of Stir Crazy

Don't stop at just watching — explore Stir Crazy in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Stir Crazy is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Stir Crazy Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Stir Crazy, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Stir Crazy Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Stir Crazy

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Stir Crazy. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Stir Crazy

More About Stir Crazy

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Stir Crazy: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Stir Crazy

Similar Movies to Stir Crazy

Discover movies like Stir Crazy that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.