Hair

Main Plot

Hair follows the journey of Claude, a young man from Oklahoma who travels to New York City to enlist in the military during the Vietnam War. Upon arriving, he encounters a group of free-spirited hippies led by the charismatic Berger, who introduce him to their countercultural lifestyle filled with music, love, and rebellion against societal norms. As Claude becomes immersed in this vibrant world, he grapples with his identity and the impending draft. The story explores themes of friendship, love, and the conflict between individual freedom and societal expectations. As Claude navigates his relationships with the group and his romantic interest, Sheila, he faces the harsh realities of war and the choices that lie ahead, ultimately highlighting the tension between the ideals of the 1960s counterculture and the grim realities of the world outside their community.

Characters

• John Savage plays Claude Bukowski, a young man from Oklahoma who befriends a group of hippies in New York City, leading to life-changing experiences and a draft notice for the Vietnam War.
• Treat Williams plays George Berger, the charismatic leader of a group of hippies who befriends a young man named Claude and helps him navigate the counterculture movement.
• Beverly D'Angelo plays Sheila Franklin, a wealthy debutante who becomes romantically involved with the protagonist, Claude, and is drawn into the counterculture movement.

Ending Explained

In the ending of Hair, the narrative culminates in a poignant reflection on the clash between the ideals of the counterculture and the harsh realities of war. The film concludes with Claude, who has been torn between his free-spirited lifestyle and the pressures of societal expectations, ultimately facing the draft for the Vietnam War. In a moment of desperation, he decides to enlist, believing it to be his only option. The final scenes depict Claude's inner turmoil as he grapples with the loss of his friends and the values they shared. The film's climax occurs during a chaotic and emotional sequence at the military induction center, where the characters' dreams of peace and love are starkly contrasted with the grim realities of military service. The ensemble cast, representing the spirit of the 1960s, comes together in a powerful musical number that highlights their collective hopes and fears. Ultimately, the ending serves as a bittersweet commentary on the loss of innocence and the impact of war on a generation. It encapsulates the film's overarching themes of freedom, individuality, and the struggle against conformity, leaving viewers with a sense of unresolved tension and reflection on the cost of societal change.