Review of 1941 (1979) by Stephen C — 07 Dec 2007

Watch the Directors cut of this film if you can find it the story is better paced .

One of Spilebergs most critically abused movies.

The film centres around events in La after the bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941.

The comedy here is broad and it sure aint subtle but you do get some great gags along the way.

The standout sequence here if of course the Jitterbug contest/Fight which escalates in to a grandiose piece of filmaking with bodies and punches flying in the mayhem.

The cast is decent here too Belushi is clearly having a Ball as Wild Bill Kelso a slightly demented fighter pilot and Dan Akroyd is good value as A tank Commander.

But the smaller roles are the ones I like most Notably Murray Hamilton and Eddie Deezen as the two ferris wheel lookouts.

Toshiro Mifune and Christopher Lee as the 2 Warring Axis Submarine commanders,Slick Pickens as Hollis (Holly)Wood ,The Late great Warren Oates as Madman Maddox and of Course Robert Stack as The Dumbo loving General Stillwell who virtually walks off with the movie along with Ned Beatty as The Guncrazy Ward Douglas.

Keep your eyes peeled too for Directors John Landis ,Penny Marshall,and Sam Fuller In cameo parts.

OK so its a bit of a mess and there is Way too much screaming but that said it is alot of fun if you dont take it too seriously.