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1941 (1979)
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| Videos (see all 4) |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
14 December 1979 (USA)
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Tagline:
A Comedy Spectacular!
Plot:
Hysterical Californians prepare for a Japanese invasion in the days after Pearl Harbor. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
California
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Pearl Harbor
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Captain
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Submarine
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Upskirt
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Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars.
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NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Boos! and Whoop-doos!: The Epic Origins of a Future Summer
(From MovieWeb. 1 June 2009, 10:54 AM, PDT)
Spielberg's Musical Aspirations
(From WENN. 25 June 2002)
(From MovieWeb. 1 June 2009, 10:54 AM, PDT)
Spielberg's Musical Aspirations
(From WENN. 25 June 2002)
User Comments:
Could have been so much more
more (179 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Dan Aykroyd | ... | Sgt. Frank Tree | |
| Ned Beatty | ... | Ward Douglas | |
| John Belushi | ... | Capt. Wild Bill Kelso | |
| Lorraine Gary | ... | Joan Douglas | |
| Murray Hamilton | ... | Claude Crumn | |
| Christopher Lee | ... | Capt. Wolfgang von Kleinschmidt | |
| Tim Matheson | ... | Capt. Loomis Birkhead | |
| Toshirô Mifune | ... | Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura (as Toshiro Mifune) | |
| Warren Oates | ... | Col. 'Madman' Maddox | |
| Robert Stack | ... | Maj. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell | |
| Treat Williams | ... | Cpl. Chuck 'Stretch' Sitarski | |
| Nancy Allen | ... | Donna Stratton | |
| Lucille Benson | ... | Gas Mama (Eloise) (as Lucille Bensen) | |
| Jordan Brian | ... | Macey Douglas | |
| John Candy | ... | Pvt. Foley |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
The Night the Japs Attacked (USA) (working title)
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
118 min | USA:146 min (director's cut) | West Germany:111 min
Country:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Stereo (35 mm prints) |
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)
Certification:
Brazil:12 |
Argentina:Atp |
Australia:M |
Chile:TE |
Finland:K-12 |
France:U |
Iceland:L |
Netherlands:AL |
Norway:12 (original rating) |
Norway:15 |
Peru:PT |
Singapore:PG |
Sweden:15 |
UK:PG |
USA:PG (certificate #25726) |
West Germany:12
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
This was the first U.S. production to use the French-made Louma crane. It was going to be used for shooting the miniatures. The Louma proved to be so flexible that it was frequently used for the "A" camera.
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Goofs:
Continuity: On the Ferris wheel, the position of the blanket between the two men changes just before the ventriloquist dummy appears.
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Quotes:
Captain Loomis Birkhead:
[Donna has his uniform open and is trying to tear off his T-shirt; he is *still* too focused on actually flying the plane] Donna - Donna would you lay off? I'm trying to steer!
Donna Stratton: [upset and frustrated] What's wrong, Loomis? You're not airborne yet!
Captain Loomis Birkhead: What are you talking about? Look out the window, of course we're airborne!
Donna Stratton: We are, but -
[looks down at his pants then straight in the eye]
Donna Stratton: but you're not.
[kisses him passionately]
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Donna Stratton: [upset and frustrated] What's wrong, Loomis? You're not airborne yet!
Captain Loomis Birkhead: What are you talking about? Look out the window, of course we're airborne!
Donna Stratton: We are, but -
[looks down at his pants then straight in the eye]
Donna Stratton: but you're not.
[kisses him passionately]
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Movie Connections:
Featured in The Making of '1941' (1996) (V)
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Soundtrack:
Down By The Ohio
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (179 total)
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I keep thinking that Spielberg should have let this one go. There is immense potential here, but not under his direction. If there has ever been a movie begging for a remake, this is the one.
A strong cast, a decent script, a good idea all the way around.
But Spielberg should have never directed this. He doesn't know how to handle such a large ensemble cast and, as we have seen from him since, he doesn't do will with comedy unless it is incidental humor in another project.
Don't get me wrong: I own this movie on DVD and I watch it every now and then. But, when one looks at something like Altman's "M*A*S*H" and then compare it to this... I can't help but feel sorry for "1941."
In the end the movie is worth seeing if just for John Belushi's performance as Wild Bill Kelso and for Toshirô Mifune's comedic (if, unfortunately, stereotypical) turn as the Japanese sub commander. However, do not expect this too be one of the classic comedies of all time. If you are looking for a truly good comedy poking fun at the insanity of war, then pick up "M*A*S*H."
Someone: Get the rights and remake this into a truly good movie!