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Here Be Dragons co-curated by Cressida Cowell and Toothless - opens 13 July. Admission included with ticket to the Galleries

1001 Stories Collection

Groundhog Day

1001 Groundhog Day
Added on 06th October 2020

Writers Harold Ramis and Danny Rubin
Director Harold Ramis
First released 1993, PG, Columbia Pictures

1001

Cynical television weatherman Phil Connors finds himself stuck in a time loop in small town Punxatawney.

Story

Television weatherman Phil Connors is posted to Punxatawney, Philadelphia to report on the Groundhog Day festivities. Scornful of small town life, he is horrified to find himself stuck in a time loop, starting that day again and again no matter what he does. Gradually he discovers that behaving selfishly or recklessly just makes him despair and that his days are happier if he is kind to others. As he finds love and meaning he unwittingly breaks the loop.

Why we chose it

Groundhog Day is an ingenious and endearing romantic comedy that fans love to watch again and again, not least for Bill Murray’s memorable performance as the cynical weatherman. A brilliant example of a time loop plot, it cleverly and amusingly explores deep questions about how we should live our lives and reveals the benefits of placing others’ happiness above our own.

Where it came from

The groundhog is a large squirrel-like rodent that hibernates underground each winter. Some believe that if the groundhog first emerges on a cloudy day and can’t see his shadow, spring will come early.

After Danny Rubin conceived the basic idea, he, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray and the producers clashed repeatedly over the script. Many believe that these competing perspectives added the originality and depth that transformed Rubin’s idea into a much-loved classic.

Where it went next

Groundhog Day received numerous awards including a BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay. Although it was only a moderate box office success at the time, it is now regarded as one of the greatest cinema comedies of all time.

The film never explains why the time loop starts and ends or how long Connors is trapped, questions still debated by fans across the world.

Associated stories

The story was adapted into an award-winning musical by Tim Minchin which failed to tour due to production difficulties.

In 2017 a video game sequel was released in which the player has to help Phil’s son escape from a time loop.

The phrase ‘groundhog day’ is now used to describe an unpleasant situation that keeps happening and was often referenced during the Covid19 pandemic.

Added on 06th October 2020

Writers Harold Ramis and Danny Rubin
Director Harold Ramis
First released 1993, PG, Columbia Pictures

1001