1941

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1941

PG

1979

1h 58m

Comedy

Action

Adventure

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Tomatometer

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.

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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

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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Tom B

Dec 5, 2024

Spielberg farce. Goofy but has some memorable scenes.

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Farah R

@Farah 5 days ago

I can’t believe this overstimulating nonsense is directed by Steven Spielberg.

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Alejandro E

@Alex970 Jul 31, 2026

This war comedy, set in a hypothetical 1941, is a case in point that even the best writers have their off days. From Spielberg’s early period, it isn’t one of his finest achievements, but rather one of those films you only watch out of curiosity and forget about the very next day. And do pay close attention to the opening minutes.

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Niccolo N

@Niccolo Jun 26, 2026

Screwball comedy is not Spielberg's forte but he handles it nicely and watching this movie you'll ask yourself how can he be so good and versatile. Belushi and Ackroyd are good as usual.

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Adam K

@SunsetLonerCinema May 31, 2026

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, 2026

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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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

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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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