1941

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1941

PG

1979

1h 58m

Comedy

Action

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

39%

Tomatometer

28 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.

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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

01/16/2020

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

05/09/2005

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

01/01/2000

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

05/01/2024

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

04/04/2024

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)

01/16/2024

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

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Tom B

12/05/2024

Spielberg farce. Goofy but has some memorable scenes.

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Adam K

@SunsetLonerCinema May 31

The director's cut is certainly an improvement and while it may not be among Spielberg's best work, its not as bad as its been put out to be, and is certainly not among a select few films of his that could be labeled his worst work.

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Jason H

@RT50328122 Apr 16

An interesting failure. I prefer the theatrical cut; the Director's Cut is longer, but not better. Either way, the movie is just not funny.

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Patrick B

@RT68277374 Dec 6

I really wanted to love this film but ended up really disappointed. What a waste of a major league cast. Dan Ackroyd was a highlight but couldn’t save his film. 1941 is a complete mess that is beautifully fully shot with really good special effects. It is like a live action Bugs Bunny cartoon without the charm or intelligence. The humour is so forced it is humourless.

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Greg B

@RT87096241 Nov 24

Sad this wasn't better. Little of made sense and what did didn't matter. A lot like "The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming!" Another disappointing and confusing movie. Glad I waited 40 years to see this one. Not glad I watched it.

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Michael R.

@KarmaKing Nov 19

This is a HIGHLY underrated comedy of epic proportions. I saw this first when I was around 8 y/o, just after its release and I have loved it ever since. Owned it on laserdisc. Not only is it a superb film, it is totally FRESH and one of a kind.

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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

27:14

1941: Official Clip - Wood, Hollis P.

4:02

1941: Official Clip - Patriotic Duty

1:55

1941: Official Clip - Lost

1:32

1941: Official Clip - Japanese Christmas Trees

2:32

1941: Official Clip - Don't You Dare Fire That Gun

1:36

1941: Official Clip - The Ferris Wheel Rolls

2:38

1941: Official Clip - Something in the Water

1:30

1941: Official Clip - Mass Hysteria

1:29

1941: Official Clip - Dance Hall Brawl

1:29

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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)