Hair

In the midst of the tumultuous 1960s, a naive Oklahoman named Claude Hooper Bukowski (John Savage) embarks on an urban adventure, shedding his small-town innocence as he navigates the vibrant, counterculture landscape of New York City. His initial encounter with a group of free-spirited hippies, led by charismatic George Berger (Treat Williams), sets him on a path of self-discovery and social awakening.

As Claude explores the city with his new friends, including the enigmatic Hud (Dorsey Wright) and the fiery Jeannie (Annie Golden), he experiences the liberating effects of marijuana and is introduced to the stark realities of racial and social inequality. The next morning, George's search for a mysterious girl leads him to a private party, where they encounter Sheila Franklin (Beverly D'Angelo), an upper-class debutante whose rigid world is turned upside down by the hippies' unbridled energy.

When the group finds themselves in jail, Claude uses his meager funds to secure George's release, setting in motion a chain of events that will lead them to a peace rally in Central Park. It's there that Claude takes his first acid trip, plunging into a psychedelic world that reflects his inner turmoil over which cultural identity he truly belongs to: the traditional values of his Oklahoma upbringing, the refined world of Sheila's aristocratic family, or the unconventional lifestyle of the hippies.

As Claude's "trip" unfolds, he is forced to confront the conflicting desires and values within himself, ultimately leading him down a path of self-discovery and rebellion against the status quo.

As Claude's excursion comes to a close, he and his hippie companions clash over a malicious prank they play on Sheila (leaving her completely exposed and vulnerable after stealing her clothes while she's bathing), as well as their philosophical disagreements regarding the war in Vietnam and personal versus communal accountability. This rift ultimately leads Claude to carry out his original plan, reporting to the draft board and embarking on his military service. He successfully navigates basic training, but his journey takes a poignant turn when he pens a letter to Sheila from his Army training camp, sharing the news with her.

Meanwhile, back in their counterculture community, Sheila seeks out George and his group to break the news about Claude's enlistment. This sparks George's creative juices, as he concocts a plan to infiltrate the military base in Nevada where Claude is stationed. Enter Cheryl Barnes, Hud's finance, who persuades him to rejoin her and their son, LaFayette Jr., in their life together.

The hippies, Sheila, and Hud's finance then embark on an adventure, tricking Steve (Sheila's brother) out of the family car and attempting to gain entry to the military base. When they're thwarted at the guard post, George devises a new plan, this time enlisting Sheila's assistance in charming Fenton (Richard Bright), an Army Sergeant, into revealing his uniform and vehicle secrets. With these spoils, George successfully infiltrates the base, locates Claude, and reveals himself.

However, when Claude refuses to abandon ship, fearing he'll be discovered missing during a headcount, George concocts another scheme. He swaps places with Claude long enough for him to visit with their friends waiting in the desert. Meanwhile, back at the military base, which has been placed on high alert, imminent ship-outs to Vietnam are announced.

George, unwilling to reveal that Claude is AWOL, boards a plane to Vietnam in his friend's place. When Claude arrives too late to rejoin his unit, George finds himself bound for the war-torn nation. The film concludes with a poignant scene at Arlington Cemetery several months later, where George's grave (he was killed in action) is shown, accompanied by the haunting tune "Let the Sunshine In." As the song continues, the camera pans out to reveal a massive anti-war protest unfolding in Washington, D.C., bringing the era of tumultuous social upheaval full circle.