The world of cinema is full of great questions: why did anyone ever think that George Lucas was talented, what the devil does Prometheus actually mean and why Michael Bay, why?
But the most pressing of all relates to arguably the greatest comedy film of all time, Harold Ramis’ wonderful Groundhog Day…
How long does Bill Murray actually spend trapped reliving Groundhog Day?
Many have tried to answer it, and some with success, but none have gone to quite the level that we have in trying to pinpoint an exact answer. Obviously some points are up for contention, such as the time Phil actually spends learning French, but the following video essay at least gives some reflection of the enormous length of time some fans of the film no doubt take for granted. And the answer adds a poignant, and some might say tragic footnote to the brilliant, sublimely acted comedy classic…
And once you’ve appreciated that, click next to reveal the intense mathematical workings out that one intrepid WhatCulture writer (me) put in to actually discovering how long Phil spent trapped in a perpetual time-loop of misery, suicide and ice sculptures.
Happy Groundhog Day.
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8 Comments
Groundhog day is in my opinion the best film ever made. I wont take the time to elaborate but just know how cool i think it is that you made this video. Cannot BELIEVE that it took that long for him, although i guess it makes sense. Thanks so much!
Simon, my man, you are a genius.
The mathematics are flawed because you assume he did only one thing at a time. If it takes say 1000 days to learn piano, and 1000 days to learn French, that doesn’t mean it took him 2000 days to learn both. He could have learned both everyday.
From IMDB:
“On the DVD, [director and co-writer] Harold Ramis states that the original idea was for him to live Feb. 2 for about 10,000 years. Later, he says that Phil probably lived the same day for about 10 years.”
According to the interview with the films director, Phil spent 10 000 years there.
You forgot some other professions: Doctor (how else could he read the old man’s chart in the hospital?), Chiropractor (fixing the man’s back, the one who couldn’t even do housework (at the final party)), and speaking Italian (he speaks Italian to the man at the top of the stairs outside his room).
Actually the commentary on the DVD says he lives about 10,000 cycles which I assume (given that he wakes up each day and goes back to the start of Feb 2nd) means 10,000 days. They then say that this was the length of time of one of the earlier drafts and that the length he spends there in the final draft is much less than this (although I can’t remember if they put a number on it)
I don’t agree with this. What makes you think he learned fluent French, maybe all he did was memorize that one poem. And why 1000 days to learn piano? Where did you get 42 days to learn the robbery? Sorry not buying this but did love the film.