1941

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1941

PG,

1979,

1h 58m,

Comedy/

Action/

Adventure

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Watchlist

Watchlist

37%

27 Reviews

Tomatometer

48%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

37%

Tomatometer

27 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

After Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, residents of California descend into a wild panic, afraid that they might be the next target. Among them are Wild Bill Kelso (John Belushi), a crazed National Guard pilot; Sgt. Frank Tree (Dan Aykroyd), a patriotic, straight-laced tank crew commander; Ward Douglas (Ned Beatty), a civilian willing to help with the American war effort at any cost; and Maj. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell (Robert Stack), who tries his hardest to maintain sanity amid the chaos.

Critics Consensus

Steven Spielberg's attempt at screwball comedy collapses under a glut of ideas, confusing an unwieldy scope for a commensurate amount of guffaws.

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Tom Milne

Sight & Sound

Jan 16, 2020

1941 is perhaps one of those films that should be seen twice, so that disappointed expectations over the wayward behaviour of the slapstick no longer get in the way of pleasure over what goes on alongside it.

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

May 9, 2005

1.5/5

It may possibly be that Mr. Spielberg has chosen gigantic size and unlimited quantity as his comedy method in the awareness that he has no gift whatsoever for small-scale comic conceits.

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Ian Freer

Empire Magazine

Jan 1, 2000

3/5

Unworkable farce, it maybe, but it is also blessed with the buzz of brilliance.

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Jana Monji

Age of the Geek

May 1, 2024

1/5

This film erases both the worries and the activism of Asian Americans at an important time in Los Angeles history and totally ignores the existence of anti-Asian sentiments that was clearly reflected in legislation.

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John Ferguson

Radio Times

Apr 4, 2024

3/5

Widely regarded as the one Steven Spielberg disaster, this sprawling comedy never deserved all the flak that was thrown at it.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Jan 16, 2024

1941 is a cold cadaver that Spielberg insults with malign complacency. [Full review in Soanish]

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Apr 16, 2019

Hmm so cut off my review and took a half a star away???? sorry as a world traveling speaker of 3 languages this is still an amazing spectacle of a film....john belushi/dan ayroyd along with the rest make it top notch 5/5 for me and millions of others...we just don't go through the nonsense of joining review sites...and i am out.....

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Apr 2, 2019

What comedy ... filled with prodigious moments of humor and what an extravagant way of seeing Americans. The dance sequence is fantastic. The soundtrack is one of the best of John William and with a dizzying direction of Spielberg

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Jan 26, 2019

The best comedy movie ever made!

Abraham R

Jul 29, 2018

https://letterboxd.com/edmundpoliks/film/1941/

Harry W

Jul 20, 2018

Seeing this for the first time in 2018 is probably not ideal. Much of the story and humour seem dated (and in many cases, downright "rape-y"). John Candy and a John Belushi are wasted. Those are the cons. Pros: One full star is for the visual effects. It's amazing this is done without any computer generated effects. The miniature work and one-off shots are still amazing (and very Spielberg). Other highlights were Ned Beatty and his youngest sons. Robert Stack (especially whilst enjoying Dumbo). Dan Aykroyd is under utilised but redeeming. I'm not sure why this has a cult following. Other than that cults are rarely good decisions.

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Albus G

May 23, 2018

This movie is a very criticized movie, but .... I just LOVED it. One of the best comedies ever, one of Steven Spielberg's best films and one of the best comedies of the 70's. Of course it's not the best masterpiece of aSteven Spielberg, but the story is very funny and the actors have a lot of talent for comedy . Highly recommend.

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Steven Spielberg

Director

John Belushi

Captain Wild Bill Kelso

Dan Aykroyd

Sgt. Frank Tree

Lorraine Gary

Joan Douglas

Ned Beatty

Ward Douglas

Treat Williams

Corporal Chuck "Stretch" Sitarski

Movieclips: John Williams: 11 Incredible Themes

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1941: Official Clip - Wood, Hollis P.

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1941: Official Clip - Mass Hysteria

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1941: Official Clip - Dance Hall Brawl

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Synopsis

After Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, residents of California descend into a wild panic, afraid that they might be the next target. Among them are Wild Bill Kelso (John Belushi), a crazed National Guard pilot; Sgt. Frank Tree (Dan Aykroyd), a patriotic, straight-laced tank crew commander; Ward Douglas (Ned Beatty), a civilian willing to help with the American war effort at any cost; and Maj. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell (Robert Stack), who tries his hardest to maintain sanity amid the chaos.

Director: Steven Spielberg
Producer: Buzz Feitshans
Screenwriter: Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, John Milius, Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale
Distributor: Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures
Production Co: A-Team, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Universal Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Action, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 14, 1979, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2010
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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