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Special Features
- Video interviews with Steven Spielberg, Bob Gale, John Milius, Robert Zemeckis, 'John Williams' , and and others
- Steven Spielberg's home movies and behind-the-scenes footage
- Outtakes from the movie
- Storyboards and productions photographs
- Advertising concepts, marketing and publicity materials
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Watching this director's cut, it's finally possible to see why the studio made Spielberg mercilessly hack up this comedy: it's a screaming movie (everyone screams a lot), and screaming movies do not need character development. So all those character-development scenes hit the cutting-room floor and, surprise, they were all critical to Spielberg's pace for the humor in this film. The screaming wasn't that funny then--and it still isn't--but what is funny are the reinserted development scenes, showcasing the now-evident sense of hysteria in the Los Angeles community, post-Pearl Harbor. A bunch of certified nitwits, and a few certified lunatics, act as if Tojo Hideki's entire Imperial force is just off the mainland. Actually, one Japanese submarine is, and it helps fuel the frenzy. John Belushi is Wild Bill Kelso, an insane fighter pilot, and Dan Aykroyd plays a conciliatory tank commander. Robert Stack's performance as General Stilwell, one of the best of the film, finally makes sense. Also fun for the numerous cameos, Spielberg's inside jokes, and John Williams's great score. --Keith Simanton
Product Description
Steven Spielberg's monumental comedy, based on a true incident, about the war panic that erupted in Southern California after a Japanese sub was spotted off the coast six days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Stars John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Ned Beatty, Nancy Allen, Robert Stack and many others; written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale ("Back to the Future"). Restored version; 146 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: French, Spanish; "making of" documentary; home movies; behind-the-scenes footage; theatrical trailers; scene access; storyboard comparison; outtakes; photo gallery.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I think Mike from Chicago had one too many baby back ribs. This movie is hysterical. Speilberg directed a comedy classic, and with Belushi, Aykroyd, and John Candy this comedy is of the 5-star variety.
One of the funniest movies ever made !
Hey Mike, get a sense of humor, and then watch this again. Maybe you'll laugh like the rest of us !
31 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The reverential tone Steven Spielberg has taken lately with World War II as evident in "Schindler's List" and "Saving Private Ryan" (in addition to the 1987 boys' adventure "Empire Of The Sun") is nowhere to be found in this largely panned yet outrageously entertaining screwball comedy that would have done Blake Edwards proud.
Based loosely on events that actually occurred stateside during World War II (specifically the sighting of a Japanese submarine off the coast of California and the infamous "zoot suit riots" among day-glo dressed street hoods and servicemen), this movie pays tribute to the paranoia that gripped the West Coast in the days following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Notoriously overbudget, this film was considered the "Waterworld" of its day, with the obvious difference being that it took itself not the least bit seriously. It was Spielberg's much-expected flop in the wake of "Jaws" and "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind"...but did it deserve to be?
An able cast of comedic talent headlined by the incomparable John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd with up-and-coming SCTV alumnus John Candy and recent "Animal House" veteran Tim Matheson supported ably by character actors Ned Beatty, Robert Stack, Treat Williams, and Lorraine Gary and all-time good ol' boy Slim Pickens on one side...and veteran Hammer Films horror star Christopher Lee slumming with Akira Kurosawa's number-one samurai Toshiro Mifune and the crew of a Japanese submarine with faulty navigational equipment on the other.
It is an all-star cast performing well up to its own high standard in what would be the most unusual twist on war since "Hogan's Heroes"...mainly the notion that this tragedy which brought so much pain and sorrow to the entire world could in fact be something that, in the right hands, could be uproariously funny. Spielberg's fingerprints are of course ubiquitous; the use of children, the collaboration with John Williams, breakaway stuntwork, special effects and well-designed set pieces...but it is the actors that make this movie work, particularly John Belushi who, like Brad Pitt in movies like "Thelma & Louise", "True Romance", and "Snatch" manages to steal completely a movie in which he actually has very little face time. All the actors are encouraged to play to their strengths, and the ability to "pay no attention to that man behind the curtain" (i.e., remember than none of this ever happened and that this is a comedy, not a documentary...Michael Moore, are you listening?) will enable the viewer some deep bellylaughs and some time well-spent viewing the bonus features which attempt to explain just WHY this is one of Spielberg's least understood or appreciated films.
Based loosely on events that actually occurred stateside during World War II (specifically the sighting of a Japanese submarine off the coast of California and the infamous "zoot suit riots" among day-glo dressed street hoods and servicemen), this movie pays tribute to the paranoia that gripped the West Coast in the days following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Notoriously overbudget, this film was considered the "Waterworld" of its day, with the obvious difference being that it took itself not the least bit seriously. It was Spielberg's much-expected flop in the wake of "Jaws" and "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind"...but did it deserve to be?
An able cast of comedic talent headlined by the incomparable John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd with up-and-coming SCTV alumnus John Candy and recent "Animal House" veteran Tim Matheson supported ably by character actors Ned Beatty, Robert Stack, Treat Williams, and Lorraine Gary and all-time good ol' boy Slim Pickens on one side...and veteran Hammer Films horror star Christopher Lee slumming with Akira Kurosawa's number-one samurai Toshiro Mifune and the crew of a Japanese submarine with faulty navigational equipment on the other.
It is an all-star cast performing well up to its own high standard in what would be the most unusual twist on war since "Hogan's Heroes"...mainly the notion that this tragedy which brought so much pain and sorrow to the entire world could in fact be something that, in the right hands, could be uproariously funny. Spielberg's fingerprints are of course ubiquitous; the use of children, the collaboration with John Williams, breakaway stuntwork, special effects and well-designed set pieces...but it is the actors that make this movie work, particularly John Belushi who, like Brad Pitt in movies like "Thelma & Louise", "True Romance", and "Snatch" manages to steal completely a movie in which he actually has very little face time. All the actors are encouraged to play to their strengths, and the ability to "pay no attention to that man behind the curtain" (i.e., remember than none of this ever happened and that this is a comedy, not a documentary...Michael Moore, are you listening?) will enable the viewer some deep bellylaughs and some time well-spent viewing the bonus features which attempt to explain just WHY this is one of Spielberg's least understood or appreciated films.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This 1979 WWII comedy spectacle bombed when it first released but its not as bad as its reputation suggests. Steven Spielberg's direction in this movie can be compared to some of the type of direction of today's big budget films (i.e Armageddon). The movie is noteworthy for the fact that it boasts an all-star cast including Tishiro Mifune, Christopher Lee (as a German officer on board the Japanese sub as a guest), stars from SNL, Second City, and stars from tv sitcoms of the 1970's. Also, it's one of the few movies John Belushi did before his untimely death. There are a lot of people screaming, great special effects and stunts, and some outrageous characters. The plot is mainly about a Japanese submarine that is off course, arriving in the L.A. harbor, and causing hysteria among the L.A residences. With that, there are related subplots such as Belushi's Wild Bill Kelso flying an airplane to L.A. and Ned Beatty's Ward Douglas receiving an anti-aircraft gun from the army to be placed on his beachfront backyard. Some standout supporting performances from Bobby Di Cicco as Wally Stephens, an unlisted man whose only joy is to dance in his zoot suit, and Dianne Kay (from TV's EIGHT IS ENOUGH) as his girlfriend. These two (along with Robert Stack as General Stillwell) are the "calm in the hurricane" or the only sane people in this movie. The rest are all too cartoony and over the top. This is the type of movie to watch as background noise if you are doing other things like writing your bills, doing your homework, or surfing the net. You can look up occasionally to catch something for a chuckle or two.
Note: Back in 1979, Dan Ackroyed must have been embarassed by this movie. In movie ads and posters released after this film, his face is removed from the original movie poster and replaced with someone else's face.
Note: Back in 1979, Dan Ackroyed must have been embarassed by this movie. In movie ads and posters released after this film, his face is removed from the original movie poster and replaced with someone else's face.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Funniest movie ever
Just try and catch your breath during house and submarine scene-if you can do it you have no funny bone
Published 23 days ago by Dort
A Great Comedy
I grew up watching all kinds of goofy comedies growing up with my dad. Everything from Revenge of the Nerds to Animal House to pretty much anything by Mel Brooks. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Andrew B. Davis
One of Spielburg's hidden gems!
I originally got this on VHS, only to be replaced by DVD. Nice upgrade. If you're not a technophobe, and don't mind that it doesn't come with an original theatrical version, than... Read more
Published 3 months ago by SoylentGreen
What a funny movie.
This is a classic! All the great and even Slim Pickens. I have bought 5 copies to put up so I know I will have it around for a long time!
Published 4 months ago by Jerry M
Good movie, disc not enhanced for widescreen
1941 itself is an entertaining movie, and I have always enjoyed it thoroughly. I was quite shocked to buy the disc and find that first and foremost it is not enhanced for... Read more
Published 11 months ago by flashbazbo
1941(1979)
1941(1979) is a mixed bag. This is considered one of director Steven Spielberg's weakest movies. It's been accused of being anti-American. People in the U.S.A. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Jorge A. Zarco
review of the movie 1941
This is one of the funniest movies ever made! Sit back with a bag/bucket of popcorn, watch it and let the laughing begin. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mark A. Stell
Great Movie!
I am very happy to find this movie for a great price. I will purchase more from here. Thank you!
Published 20 months ago by Nadine
"Directors Cut" is awful and no original cut included
If I am not mistaken the same problem occurred with the directors cut of Blues Brothers. These dum dums release these so-called "Directors Cuts" without including the original... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Awesome!!!
Don't buy this one--get the U.K. DVD!!
I bought this one, and I just got the British DVD from amazon.co.uk. This one is letterbox non-anamorphic, meaning the picture uses about 1/2 of your screen. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Early A. Dopter
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