The Blues Brothers (1980)
92%RT Audience Score: 92%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 1 nomination
Too over the top for its own good, but ultimately rescued by the cast’s charm, director John Landis’ grace, and several soul-stirring musical numbers.
The Blues Brothers is a classic film that will have you tapping your feet and laughing out loud. Sure, some critics may say it’s static or convoluted, but who cares when you’ve got Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi belting out soulful tunes and causing chaos on the streets of Chicago? Plus, with appearances from legends like Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, the music alone is worth the watch. So, grab some popcorn and get ready to join the band on their wild ride.
Production Company(ies)
Final Cut for Real Sun Creature Studio Vivement Lundi
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Dixie Square Mall – 151st Street & Dixie Highway, Harvey, Illinois, USA
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
1980
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:2h 13m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 18, 1980 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 30, 2005
Genre(s)
Action
Keyword(s)
starring John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Carrie Fisher, directed by John Landis, written by Dan Aykroyd and John Landis, action, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Gene Siskel, Steven Reddicliffe, Charles Champlin, Jack Mathews, Dave Sargent, Jason Bailey, Robin Holabird, John Stark, Joe Baltake, Patrick Taggart, Marylynn Uricchio, R rating, produced by Robert K Weiss, Universal Pictures, Dolby, Mono, The Blues Brothers, comedy, musical, Chicago, car chases, soul music, Aretha Franklin, John Lee Hooker, reviewed by audiences, Mark Walker, Alex r, Stephen E, Dann M
Worldwide gross: $115,229,890
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $433,073,002
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 352
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 47,227,154
US/Canada gross: $57,229,890
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $215,089,334
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 314
US/Canada opening weekend: $4,858,152
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $18,258,583
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 701
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $27,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $101,475,156
Production budget ranking: 403
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $54,644,371
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $276,953,474
ROI to date (est.): 177%
ROI ranking: 692
– Dan Aykroyd as Elwood Blues
– James Brown as Reverend Cleophus James
– Cab Calloway as Curtis
– Ray Charles as Ray
– Carrie Fisher as Mystery Woman
Director(s)
John Landis
Writer(s)
Dan Aykroyd, John Landis
Producer(s)
Robert K. Weiss
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 1 nomination
Academy Awards
All Critics (89) | Top Critics (26) | Fresh (65) | Rotten (24)
The Blues Brothers is the year’s best film to date; one of the, all-time great comedies; the best movie ever made in Chicago. All are true, and, boy, is that ever a surprise.
December 21, 2020 | Rating: 4/4
Gene Siskel
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
Too many times, The Blues Brothers is static when it should be ecstatic. When it tries to hit the heights, it’s not nearly dizzying enough And when it should soar, it simply hangs there.
December 21, 2020
Steven Reddicliffe
Miami Herald
TOP CRITIC
Despite the temporary lift that the old pros give the picture, it is difficult for the non-cultist to feel anything but dismay, again, that so much has been squandered to produce so little that is truly artful or genuinely entertaining.
December 21, 2020
Charles Champlin
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
As spectacular as the chases are, Blues Brothers works because of Aykroyd and Belushi, who play off each other with nearly flawless timing and sustain it throughout the movie’s two hours and 10 minutes.
December 21, 2020
Jack Mathews
Detroit Free Press
TOP CRITIC
With a simple narrative based around the- brothers trying to put together a band and raising money for the orphanage that moulded them with numerous complications along the way there are plenty of chances for viewers to be entertained.
December 21, 2020
Dave Sargent
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
Landis’ staging and camera blocking aren’t always up to the task, but the performers are so electrifying, it doesn’t much matter.
December 21, 2020
Jason Bailey
The Playlist
TOP CRITIC
No matter that the big screen story gets convoluted and improbable-the characters make it work. They sing classic rhythm and blues songs well enough, but better yet, perform with the greats.
August 11, 2021
Robin Holabird
Robin Holabird
The Blues Brothers are a popular novelty, and have a definite tongue-in-cheek appeal. But this film does nothing with the characters, except to portray them as a couple of one-sided and unlikable hoods.
December 21, 2020
John Stark
San Francisco Examiner
The Blues Brothers is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, at once touching and far-far out — and most of all, best of all, it is hugely entertaining.
December 21, 2020
Joe Baltake
Philadelphia Daily News
The film is a monument to car wreckage, with a tip of the hat to rhythm and blues. If you’ve seen the preview, you’ve seen the movie.
December 21, 2020
Patrick Taggart
Austin American-Statesman
Only the music, a collection of rock and blues hits, is palatable but not enough to pull this film out of the gutter.
December 21, 2020
Marylynn Uricchio
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The film is a dreary waste of crude gags and misfiring stunts. But… small relief is afforded along the way by musical encounters (all too brief) with John Lee Hooker, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles.
December 21, 2020
Tom Milne
Observer (UK)…
Plot
After the release of Jake Blues from prison, he and brother Elwood go to visit “The Penguin”, the last of the nuns who raised them in an orphanage. They learn the Archdiocese will stop supporting the school and will sell the place to the Education Authority. The only way to keep the place open is if the $5000 tax on the property is paid within 11 days. The Blues Brothers want to help, and decide to put their blues band back together and raise the money by staging a big gig. As they set off on their “mission from God” they seem to make more enemies along the way. Will they manage to come up with the money in time?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The Blues Brothers features cameos from musical legends such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles.
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