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The Blues Brothers [1980]


RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £2.04 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

After building up the duo's popularity through popular recordings and several performances on Saturday Night Live, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd--as "legendary" Chicago blues brothers Jake and Elwood Blues--took their act to the big screen in this action-packed hit from 1980. As Jake and Elwood struggle to reunite their old band and save the Chicago orphanage where they were raised, they wreak enough good-natured havoc to attract the entire Cook County police force. The result is a big-budget stunt-fest on a scale rarely attempted before or since, including extended car chases that result in the wanton destruction of shopping malls and more police cars than you can count. Along the way there's plenty of music to punctuate the action, including performances by Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway and James Brown that are guaranteed to knock you out. As played with deadpan wit by Belushi and Aykroyd, the Blues Brothers are "on a mission from God", and that gives them a kind of reckless glee that keeps the movie from losing its comedic appeal. Otherwise, this might have been just a bloated marathon of mayhem that quickly wears out its welcome (which is how some critics described this film and its 1998 sequel). Keep an eye out for Steven Spielberg as the city clerk who stamps some crucial paperwork near the end of the film. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

Editorial
Synopsis

In roles made famous by their famed Saturday Night Live skit, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi star as Ellwood and Jake Blues in this extremely entertaining and successful comedy. Upon Jake's release from prison, the brothers are reunited and visit the orphanage they grew up in--only to discover that it is in danger of being shut down by the county for failure to pay taxes. With a little help from James Brown as a revival preacher, the Blues Brothers are divinely inspired to raise the $5,000 that the orphanage needs to stay open. On their mission from God, they must reunite their old band and raise the money by playing various gigs around town. The wild adventures of the band include dodging evil neo-Nazis, playing in a rowdy redneck bar, and narrowly escaping the crazed Carrie Fisher as Jake's ex-fiancee, who is out to see him dead. Finally, the boys have to get to a gig at the Palace Hotel Ballroom and deliver the $5,000 to the county assessor's office--leading to one of the most wild and hysterical car-chase smashups in film history. John Landis has spiced this wonderful romp with fabulous rhythm-and-blues numbers from such greats as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Cab Calloway, and Ray Charles.

You sold the Bluesmobile!
Review date: 2008-01-09 Rating: 8 out of 10

I am a big fan of Soul, Blues, R'n'B and associated genres and so came to this essentially for the music which is astoundingly good. It would be worth seeing just for the music, but although the story does seem to have been constructed around the opportunity to see and hear legendary artists perform, it is rightly been a cult film due to the slightly oddball nature of the story, the well known set pieces (car chases, nuns and rulers, James Brown's turn as a preacher, Carrie Fisher as a vengeful ex) it is an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.

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Reviews


Another Classic !
Review date: 2007-12-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

Simply this is a great film, great cast, great story line, great music and it stars John Belushi & Dan Aykroyd what more could you want from a film ?.

NOBODY COULD DO IT BETTER
Review date: 2007-07-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

It goes without saying that the combination of Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi couldn't be anything except frantic. Definitely under estimated in its day (1980) it is now an all time classic with a cult following that has no age boundaries. If you have never seen this film, and if you need to read the reviews maybe you haven`t, then life has deprived you of a very necessary dose of pure humour cleverly wrapped in a musical production and a cast that defies probability. Get a copy at all cost or live to regret a missed opportunity.

Extra Scenes No Choice
Review date: 2007-07-26 Rating: 8 out of 10

I love this movie but have only given it 4 stars for one reason. There are extra scenes included, which you get no option over, adding 14 minutes to the movie. Thing is they add nothing and some of them actually ruin the pace. You can understand why they were originally cut. Alas there is no mention of this on the cover, so just be warned.

"We're on a mission from god..."
Review date: 2007-06-22 Rating: 10 out of 10

The absolutely seminal Blues Brothers is a must in any DVD collection. It has something for everyone - Blues and soul music that gets even the most stubborn of feet tapping, acid one liners, terrific and immortal car chases, laughter, tears, and most of all, a mission from god.

The Blues Brothers, Jake and Elwood are on a mission from God. Fresh out of prison, Jake is reminded of his promise, by Elwood (who ironically turns up in a police car) to visit the Orphanage where they both grow up. Jake reluctantly agrees.

After a somewhat less than warm welcome from the nun, they realise that $5,000 dollars are needed to save the Orphanage from closure, and set about their mission to reform their old band and raise said dosh in time.

Cue wild chases which have probably never been bettered (the mall chase is an absolute scream) a psychotic ex-girlfriend, played by Carrie Fisher, who paints her nails and reads up on explosives at the same time - neo-nazis, country music, every police car thought possible, and star turns from Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles.

It's funny, with an absolutely legendary soundtrack, and brilliant deadpan humour. Come on, buy it and enjoy this cult classic over, and over and over again....

...but let's not mention to Jake again the fact the blues mobile was swapped for a microphone...

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
John Landis
John Candy
John Belushi
Pee-Wee Herman
Charles Napier

Creators:
John Belushi (Primary Contributor)
John Candy (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Uca
Manufacturer: Uca
EAN: 5050582037807
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2003-08-11
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 127 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1980-06-20
Language: English (Original Language)

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