Amazon.com

Watching this director's cut, it's finally possible to see why the studio made Spielberg mercilessly hack up this comedy: it's a screaming movie (everyone screams a lot), and screaming movies do not need character development. So all those character-development scenes hit the cutting-room floor and, surprise, they were all critical to Spielberg's pace for the humor in this film. The screaming wasn't that funny then--and it still isn't--but what is funny are the reinserted development scenes, showcasing the now-evident sense of hysteria in the Los Angeles community, post-Pearl Harbor. A bunch of certified nitwits, and a few certified lunatics, act as if Tojo Hideki's entire Imperial force is just off the mainland. Actually, one Japanese submarine is, and it helps fuel the frenzy. John Belushi is Wild Bill Kelso, an insane fighter pilot, and Dan Aykroyd plays a conciliatory tank commander. Robert Stack's performance as General Stilwell, one of the best of the film, finally makes sense. Also fun for the numerous cameos, Spielberg's inside jokes, and John Williams's great score. --Keith Simanton ... Read more

Reviews (85)

1941
Steven Spielberg's overblown comedy is nethertheless a sporadically fun farce set during 1941. When viewed in comparison to other over-the-top comedies in the late 70s and early 80s (The Blues Brothers), it's one of the better ones, yet still dissapointingly glib considering the amount of talent on board. Dan Akroyd and John Belushi are the standout guys, making the whole messy carnage at least sometimes comic. And John William's score fits the film very well. But overall, the action is too loud, the comedy for the most part, is badly timed and goes too far. The main problem is the whole thing is based on the oh-so-wrong assumption that explosions and ferris wheels falling into the sea makes a good comedy. While it has it's moments, it's one of Spielberg's notable flubs. The extras are surprisingly good, with trailers, interviews with Steven Spielberg, Bob Gale, John Milius, Robert Zemeckis, John Williams, and and others, Steven Spielberg' behind-the-scenes footage, outtakes from the movie, storyboards and productions photographs and production notes.

The Most Explosive Comedy Spectacular of All Times!
I have to admit; I love 1941. There's some insane part of me that gets a cheap thrill from watching Hollywood Boulevard being destroyed by a bunch of total morons. 1941 may not be a great movie, but then again, no one was expecting it to be GONE WITH THE WIND. It's just an insane comedy that I happen to love.

The film has several different plots, all of which come crashing together during the last hour and a half of the movie. The Japanese, parked off the coast of California in a large Japanese submarine, make plans to blow up Hollywood. They are led by Japanese commander Commander Mitamura (played by Toshiro Mifune) and Nazi Captain Vonkleinschmidt (played by Christopher Lee). Back on land, Wally (Bobby DiCicco), aided by best friend Dennis (Perry Lang), hopes to win the jitterbug contest with Betty Douglas (Diane Kay), who is chased around by serviceman Chuck "Stretch" Sitarski (Treat Williams). Betty's friend Maxine (Wendy Jo Sperber) lusts after Sitarski, and Betty's father Ward (Ned Beatty) recieves an anti-aircraft gun that bears a striking resemblance to an army tank. Meanwhile, General's aide Loumis Birkhead (Tim Matheson) lusts after Donna Stratton (Nancy Allen), who is turned on by planes. And bursting through all of this is loud and crude nutcase pilot Wild Bill Kelso (John Belushi) who makes it his business to blow everything up.

The first hour or so is far more calm than the last hour and a half. During this, writers Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale (who went on to do BACK TO THE FUTURE) set up all the characters and plot lines, not all of which I have mentioned yet. The gags are slowly milked out to their fullest extent, and Slim Pickens has a funny role as a drunk captured by the Japanese The last hour and a half, however, is a blast in the face of music, sound and imagry. There's lots to see here; a ferris wheel rolling off a peir, with two guys (Murray Hamilton, Eddie Deezen and Deezen's wooden dummy) on top of it; Beatty's wife Lorraine Gary watching in horror as he drives a tank through their home; and, of course, Kelso and all the others blowing up half of Hollywood Boulevard while General Stillwell (Robert Stack) watches DUMBO in the local theatre.

The music by John Williams is unforgettable, hummable and, as usual, absolutely perfect. The visual effects are amazing for their time, and even more amazing when you consider the fact that they're better than most of today's computer effects. All the technichal elements in the film are superb.

Will you like this movie? I don't know. I did, but then again, my sense of humor isn't exactly sophisticated. I thought 1941 was crazy fun, but don't see it if you have weak ears, and if you have the volume on high, brace yourself. The last hour and a half is basically people screaming and stuff blowing up, and it's LOUD. But I still found 1941 to be, in a goofy way, loud and insane fun.

The DVD is great. There's an excellent 110 minute documentary on the making of the film, and no wonder it's excellent; it was directed by documentary maker extraordinaire Laurent Bozereau. By the way, the cut on the disc is an extended cut that has about 26 minutes of extra footage. I don't remember the original version well enough to comment on the difference however. Also included are excellent production notes, great photo galleries, three fun trailers (the first of which has specially prepared footage), original reviews (which are, for the most part, really, really nasty), and some interesting deleted scenes. Also, Universal has graciously cut the movie up into 60 (!) different chapters. Talk about packaging!

It may not be a classic, and it may not really be about anything besides stuff getting destroyed, but 1941 is still VERY, VERY FUNNY. I recommend it both for the movie and this EXCELLENT DVD.

Animal House Goes To War -- Big Budget Comedy Noir
Do not forget to remember that this is supposed to be SATIRE, otherwise you may find "1941" to be a rather crude, over-extended joke. With US military personnel more interested in "gettin' some" than in defending America, it becomes clear immeditately that priorities are considerably confused. Two of the lead characters in particular seem hormone-raged and obcessed with "scoring".

Considered by many an overlooked Steven Spielberg Classic, I agree only with the technical aspects. Visually and acustically stunning, the macabre handling of serious historical subject matter and often repelling actions of bullies make this a less than "great comedy" for me.

Viewing this film on the now-obsolete laser disc format was a visual treat, maily due to the lavish cinematography and brilliant score. Sadly, I do not intend to view this film a second time. For fans of the original SNL "not-ready-for-prime-time Players", their "involvement" is an added bonus. Not enough for me, sorry.***

Ahead of its time, but not one of Speilberg's best...
I had never seen the film in 1979, so I had an open mind about the film. I have to say that the worst thing that happened to this film is that Speilberg directed it and has his imprint all over the film, which should have been a darker comedy than it turned out to be. However, you wouldn't have had the cast that wound up being in the film (early appearances of Ackroyd, John Candy and Mickey Rourke in film, and Bob Zemeckis' first real break into film), a nod to Kurosawa (Toshiro Mifume is the sub captain), Speilberg's own "Duel", and to Kubrick (Slim Pickens from Dr. Strangelove shows up). Considering John Belushi did few films, it's worth having on that alone. The dance sequences and cinematography are definitely worth the awards they would wind up picking up.

The film can overwhelm you a bit and confuse you, but that was the point. However, there's a lot in the film that can be applied in 2004, like Robert Stack's character (think Rumsfeld). Had Zemeckis had the pull to make what he envisioned it to be, it would have been a classic black comedy without a doubt,although in Europe it always has been.

Much overlooked.
I love this film!!! This is Spielberg's wildest, most frantic film. The jokes are hilarious, the action is aplenty and the sets are huge. A great film that never received the attention it so deserved. ... Read more

Product Description

Three gorgeous dancers are hired for a new review in Los Vegas at Caesars Place. As the plot unravels, we see the girls going through various trails in their private lives as they prepare for the opening of the show. excellent performances, particularly by Lesley Ann Warren and Rita Moreno carry this too true to life drama. ... Read more

Product Description

Three gorgeous dancers are hired for a new review in Los Vegas at Caesars Place. As the plot unravels, we see the girls going through various trails in their private lives as they prepare for the opening of the show. excellent performances, particularly by Lesley Ann Warren and Rita Moreno carry this too true to life drama. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Rent it....
A decent movie about a cycle of poverty and addiction...Brittany Murphy and Jeremy Jordan (yes, Jeremy "The Right Kind of Love" Jordan!) stand out with their performances in an otherwise Lifetime-movie-of-the-week caliber film. Worth a watch, for sure, and at a low price might be worth purchasing if you're a big Murphy or JJ fan...

FALLING SKY IS AMAZING!
This touching film has truely moved me! Brittney Murphey did an AMAZING job! this film follows a single part in poverty with daughter (murphey) and is so incredibly INSPIRATIONAL and TOUCHING! with many SHOCKING and SUPRISING twists and turns! ITS SURE TO BE LOVED, it should be a LAW for EVERYONE TO WATCH IT! ... Read more