The Blues Brothers

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The Blues Brothers

R

1980

2h 13m

Musical

Comedy

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

91 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

After his release from prison, Jake (John Belushi) reunites with his brother, Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) -- collectively known as the "Blues Brothers." Jake's first task is to save the orphanage the brothers grew up in from closing, by raising $5,000 to pay back taxes. The two are convinced they can earn the money by getting their old band back together. However, after playing several gigs and making a few enemies, including the police, the brothers face daunting odds to deliver the money on time.

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Critics Consensus

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.

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Victoria Luxford

BBC.com

08/24/2023

5/5

One of the great American comedy films... It’s just a joy to watch even forty three years on. John Belushi was never better as the lead. He’s funny just standing there.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

12/21/2020

4/4

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.

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Charles Champlin

Los Angeles Times

12/21/2020

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.

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

06/03/2024

As a little kid, 'The Blues Brothers' taught me the foundations of American music. It also taught me that cops, Nazis and good old boys are to be mercilessly mocked and messed with.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

05/07/2024

5/10

It ends up frequenting common places where the dry humor supplied by Aykroyd and Belushi's chemistry wears out like a car tire. [Full review in Spanish]

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

01/20/2023

C+

More energetic than funny.

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Spencer

Aug 7

Please keep putting old movies in theaters

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Marc's Mom

Apr 30

Loved the music, the comedy, just all of it! took me back to a better time.

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Shape S

@FilthyPilgrim44 Mar 3

I can only imagine that anyone who gave this film less than 5 stars was currently going through some sort of traumatic event that soured their palate. Maybe it was a divorce or a gnarly kidney stone that clouded these critic’s judgments and compelled them to attack this film, but whatever misery they were subject to is a pain I pray I will never understand. Anyone who does not recognize the charm and wit of this movie as the masterpiece it is must be so blinded by cynicism that they are barely even human. I’m the kind of people that don’t even love their own children. Stable minded film critics understand the magic that they are seeing. It is the pretentious soulless ghouls who are retroactively evaluating this film through a defeated lens that try to poke holes. Shame on the dull folk who don’t understand cinema & feel compelled to give their dimwit bargain bin pink dick opinion on a movie that goes so far over their head they get dizzy the moment they look up @ the screen. Pros

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Andy J.

@abefroman Jan 31

Pure Chicago soul, legendary characters, nonstop music, outrageous comedy, and heart combine into one of the greatest comedies ever made.

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Jason H

@RT50328122 Nov 25

I've been a fan since it first aired on ABC back in the '80s. This movie is wonderful.

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Scott M

@RT75128960 Nov 14

I've seen the movie a couple times. It's not exactly a comedy. Even Landis says it's a musical. I enjoy some parts. Other parts I find slow. The last 30 minutes saves the movie from being awful.

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John Landis

Director

John Belushi

Jake Blues

Dan Aykroyd

Elwood Blues

James Brown

Reverend Cleophus James

Cab Calloway

Curtis

Ray Charles

Ray

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Chased by the Cops

2:58

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Everybody Needs Somebody to Love

3:20

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Mall Chase

2:52

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Filthy Mouths & Bad Attitudes

2:57

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Nazis Take a Dive

2:23

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Shake A Tail Feather

2:46

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Rawhide

2:49

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - The Bluesmobile Does a Backflip

2:49

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Paying the Price

2:56

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Synopsis

After his release from prison, Jake (John Belushi) reunites with his brother, Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) -- collectively known as the "Blues Brothers." Jake's first task is to save the orphanage the brothers grew up in from closing, by raising $5,000 to pay back taxes. The two are convinced they can earn the money by getting their old band back together. However, after playing several gigs and making a few enemies, including the police, the brothers face daunting odds to deliver the money on time.

Director: John Landis
Producer: Robert K. Weiss
Screenwriter: Dan Aykroyd, John Landis
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Musical, Comedy, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 18, 1980, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Mono

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