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The film cost a huge $27 million to make back in 1980, which was a huge investment at the time. At the box office it made $80 million and since then it must have made a few extra quid considering its still huge popularity.
You can now be the proud owner of this masterpiece on DVD. Don’t ... Read review
After building up the duo's popularity through popular recordings and several performances ... more
onSaturday 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...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
After building up the duo's popularity through popular recordings and several performances ... more
onSaturday 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...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
After the release of Jake Blues (John Belushi) from prison, he and brother Elwood (Dan ... more
Akroyd) go to visit the orphanage where they were released by nuns.They learned that the church stopped its support and will sell the place unless the tax on the pro...
After the release of Jake Blues (John Belushi) from prison, he and brother Elwood (Dan ... more
Aykroyd) go to visit the orphanage where they were raised by nuns.They learn that the church stopped its support and will sell the place unless the tax on the proper...
After building up the duo's popularity through recordings and several performances ... more
onSaturday Night Live, John Belushiand Dan Aykroyd--as "legendary" Chicago blues brothers Jake and Elwood Blues--took their act to the big screen in this action-packed h...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Comedy - Director: Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Carol Cleveland, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Production Year: 2004 - Comedy - Director: John Hay - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jimi Mistry, Kate Miles, Dougray Scott
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Advantages: One of the best comedies of all time, excellent documentary Disadvantages: No commentary
...his best movie though is the Blues Brothers. Not only is this an excellent comedy, but it is also a great action film and one of the most memorable musicals.
The film cost a huge $27 million to make back in 1980, which was a huge investment at the time. At the box office it made $80 million and since then it must have made a few extra quid considering its still huge popularity.
You can now be the proud owner of this ... ...odd TV appearance of the film, or the old skool VHS version, get yourself a DVD player and get this.
CAST
JOHN BELUSHI – Jake Blues
DAN AYKROYD – Elwood Blues
JAMES BROWN – Reverend Cleophus James
CAB CALLOWAY – Curtis
RAY CHARLES – ray
ARETHA FRANKLIN – Mrs Murphy
STEVE COOPER – Steve Cropper
DONALD DUNN – Donald ‘Duck’ ... more
John Landis is famous for many comedies including Animal House, Trading Places, and Coming to America. Arguably his best movie though is the Blues Brothers. Not only is this an excellent comedy, but it is also a great action film and one of the most memorable musicals.
The film cost a huge $27 million to make back in 1980, which was a huge investment at the time. At the box office it made $80 million and since then it must have made a few extra quid considering its still huge popularity.
You can now be the proud owner of this masterpiece on DVD. Don’t bother wasting your time on the odd TV appearance of the film, or the old skool VHS version, get yourself a DVD player and get this.
CAST
JOHN BELUSHI – Jake Blues DAN AYKROYD – Elwood Blues JAMES BROWN – Reverend Cleophus James CAB CALLOWAY – Curtis RAY CHARLES – ray ARETHA FRANKLIN – Mrs Murphy STEVE COOPER – Steve Cropper DONALD DUNN – Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn MURPHY DUNNE – Murph WILLIE HALL – Willie ‘Too Big’ Hall TOM MALONE – Tom ‘Bones’ Malone LOU MARINI – ‘Blue Lou’ Marini MATT MURPHY – Matt ‘Guitar’ Murphy ALAN RUBIN – Mr Fabulous CARRIE FISHER – Camille Ztdetelik
THE STORY
I won’t go into loads of detail here, as most of you will have seen the film before, but if you haven’t, then trust me when I say you need to see it.
Jake (John Belushi) and Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) were once the front men of a blues band that had separated after Jake was arrested. The film starts with his release from Joliet prison. After reuniting with his brother Elwood, the pair realise that their boyhood orphanage home is soon to be closed down due to outstanding property taxes amounting to $5000, which must be paid in 11 days. After a run in with the Penguin (nun) who doesn’t want their stolen money, they take some advice and go to church where Jake sees the light and begins a mission to put the band back together for one last show from which the proceeds will be used to save the orphanage.
The rest of the film sees them hunting down the other band members, being chased by the police, Illinois Nazis, and a rather disgruntled ex-fiancée. This leads up to the last half hour of the movie with a wild car chase that lasts for 106 miles, peaking in Chicago. This car chase sees more cars destroyed than in any other film in recent memory. In fact the filmmakers took over downtown Chicago at weekends and actually raced cars along the streets at speeds of over a hundred miles an hour. The director purposely had extras walking along the streets in these scenes to show that the speed was in fact genuine.
There is also a memorable appearance by Steven Spielberg right at the end of the film as the tax clerk. I won’t say any more so as not to spoil the film for those of you unfortunate enough to have not seen the film yet.
The direction by John Landis is superb, though on occasion very over the top, but that’s what makes it stand out. I give particular focus on the scene where a police car comes off a fly over on a free way and proceeds to fall from an incredible height (higher than the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago). It some how adds to the comedy of the scene and adds originality.
In total they destroyed one shopping mall, hundreds of cars, used dozens of stunt men, over a hundred national guard troops, 4 tanks, 2 helicopters and over a dozen black and white Chrysler sedans as the Bluesmobile’.
THE DVD
Universal originally made the mistake of throwing away loads of footage and outtakes immediately after the premiere of the film for time saving reasons. Luckily they managed to recover some of the footage and have remastered into the DVD. This gives a total of 12 minutes of extra footage that you would not have seen before unless you either saw the premiere or have seen the DVD version. There are some excellent scenes that they must have been crazy to cut out in the first place which help you to understand a few things that happened in the film. I won’t tell you what they are; you’ll just have to watch the DVD.
Having watched the VHS version a number of times I noticed a considerable improvement in the quality of the picture. The anamorphic transfer Universal did is responsible for this. There is still a small amount of grain and the picture looks a tad faded but nothing that noticeable, and still a world away from the VHS version. When you take into account he age of the film as well, they really did a very good job.
The sound track is delivered in superb style. It has been Dolby Digital 5.1 remastered. This is a very important aspect for the film given all the musical scores contained in it. It certainly won’t disappoint although if there is a small negative here it is that the car crashes don’t seem as earth shaking as they possibly could have.
Now on to the extras. All Blues Brothers fans will be fascinated by the inclusion of a 50-minute documentary. It includes interviews with the cast, and information about how the film was made. There is also a tribute to John Belushi within the documentary giving peoples memories of him that is a nice bonus. This has to be one of the best film documentaries I have seen.
Included also is the original trailer, production notes and an extensive photo gallery and Universal web links.
DISADVANTAGES
There are not many things I could think to improve here. One thing that I noticed was lacking is that the extra features does not include a commentary. I feel this would have been a welcome addition to the otherwise excellent extra features.
It would also have been great if they could have found a bit more of the missing footage.
CONCLUSION
This film is so entertaining on a number of levels. It will make you tap your feet to the soundtrack, it will make you laugh like crazy, and feel shocked at the site of a mall and entire fleet of Chicago police cars being destroyed.
However it is also a film that you will either love or hate, I have to understand that. Although I love it to bits, I know there are some of you out there who will disagree, and fair enough the world would be a pretty dull and boring place if we only like the same things. I suppose it is down to your taste in comedy.
If it is to your taste, then be prepared for one of the most memorable comedy rides of your life. When you add in the excellent extra features then this is a DVD package that you will struggle to improve on. Oh and don’t be put off by the terrible sequel – Blues Brothers 2000.
Advantages: It's just so much fun Disadvantages: They made a dodgy sequel
...all this and more. From the opening theme, to the hugely overdone, and much the better for it ending, this is a journey through Rhythm and Blues with a lot of silly things along the way. Hardly surprising, given that it started as a sketch on a "Saturday Night Live" show that has also produced such amusing films as "Wayne's World" and "Coneheads" over the years! It's not easy to know how to categorise this film. The DVD cover has it down as a musical ... ...road trip with some of the best music this side of "The Commitments". Whatever you call it, this is a good time film. A bit of a no-brainer, for sure, but a singalong, laughalong no-brainer! If no-brainers are always going to feel this good, I'll never think again! The plot is simplicity itself. Jake Blues has been in prison for the last few years, and is collected by his brother Elwood Blues (hence the title, you see!). They go to see the Mother ...
Soho_Black 15.12.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Blues Brothers (DVD)
Advantages: Belushi and Aykrord in top form, great comedy, great music Disadvantages: nothing - apart from the long awaited follow up was so disappointing
...John Belushi died in 1983, the Comedy world lost one of it's true greats. However, we can certainly be glad that he did leave us with this real comedy masterpiece. The Blues Brothers was made three years before his death and following on from his initial success as one of the stars of National Lampoon’s ‘Animal House’ this film was to take him into true cult status. Jake (Belushi) and Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) Blues are reunited in the ... ...then have to go "visit the penguin". The Penguin, of course, being the nun that raised the two boys as Orphans, but who they live in fear of! They find out that the orphanage is in desparate need of money, and she sends them off to get it. Wondering how they could possibly get it, they visit a church, where the minister is none other than the Godfather of Soul himself, James Brown. It is here that Jake "sees the light" and he realizes they have to ...
flashpointz 20.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Blues Brothers (DVD)
Advantages: Acting, Music, Comedy Disadvantages: The sequel in 2000
...favourite films. In this case the old cliché is true 'one you can watch again and again'. It is extremely funny, and has a great soundtrack. Twenty years after it was first released it still seems fresh. The main performances are outstanding, the action is well paced, the comedy brilliantly executed.
THE STORY
The film follows the adventures of two brothers Jake and Elwood. Jake has just been released from prison when they decide to put together ... ...the back taxes of the orphanage that they grew up in thus saving it from closure. They soon find themselves on the wrong side of the law and spend their time trying to organize a big gig that will get them the money while avoiding being arrested by the police. Along the way they also make enemies of a country and western band, a neo-Nazi group and are relentlessly chased a mystery woman intent on killing Jake.
CAST, PERFORMANCES AND OPINION
John ...
Mauri 10.08.2000 (05.11.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Blues Brothers (DVD)
Advantages: great soundtrack, very funny Disadvantages: none
...(1984). I remember I missed the first bit, but thought the rest of it was great - in fact I think it was on the end of a video of something else I had recorded. Years later I have seen the film several times and own my own DVD of it.
The story is based on two brothers - Jake (James Belushi) and Elwood (Dan Acykroyd) Blues. Jake has just been released from prison and Elwood has just picked him up.
Their first stop is the Penguin - in fact the Penguin ... ...it owes so much tax. The only way it can be saved is by raising the money - legally. There is only on answer - reform the Blues Brothers Band.
And so starts a bizzare series of adventures as our two heroes travel round recruiting the old band members. On the way they are hunted by a hitman or woman (in the form of Carrie Fisher), manage to annoy the Nazi Party and have to pretend to be The Good Olde Boys (a country and western band).
Finally, they ...
Xcom 26.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Blues Brothers (DVD)
Advantages: Origional and a good watch Disadvantages: Quite Old
...Belushi and Dan Ackroyd as the Blues Brothers, Jake and Elwood. The film tells something of their backgrounds: They were reared in a West Side orphanage, learned the blues, and, as the movie opens, have teamed up again after Jake’s release from prison. It has a simple plot. The brothers visit their old orphanage, learn that its future is in the balance because of $5000 due back in taxes, and determine to raise the money by getting their old ... ...and a gospel church were the preacher is James Brown. Their adventures include run-ins with suburban cops, good ol’ boys, and Nazis who are trying to stage a demonstration. Aretha Franklin occupies one of the movie’s best scenes, in her South Side soul food restaurant. Cab Calloway, as a sort of road manager for the Blues Brothers, struts through a wonderful old-style production of Minnie the Moocher. The Blues Brothers themselves star ...
RussSenior 08.08.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Blues Brothers (DVD)
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Advantages: Some good songs Disadvantages: Trying too hard to emulate the original
made the original "BluesBrothers" so much fun. It is also likely to alienate potential new fans as, apart from the music, everything else is verging on the ridiculous and it's clear this film is a sequel, or at least a tribute, to something else, which means that if you've not seen that something else, you're going to be a step behind right from the start.
For both sets of fans, this is a difficult film to get hold of, especially on its own. The Amazon Marketplace has copies available from £5.97 and eBay from £8.00 and copies on video do also occasionally surface. For those who are like me and a huge fan of the original "BluesBrothers", the new 4 DVD "BluesBrothers Collection" for around £17.00 from Amazon and Sendit.com would be far more to your liking, with this film likely to be the lesser of 4 DVDs, but with 3 others to balance out ...
Advantages: Two fantastic films Disadvantages: none
Welcome to a product that would be a big treat for all you BluesBrothers fans out there- the 2 Disc Double Feature of the original film, The BluesBrothers and its counterpart, BluesBrothers 2000. Now you may think, so what's so special about buying these 2 films together, surely it's just the same value if I have them both already? This double DVD (certificate 15) is so much better! And I'm gona tell you why?
Well for a start, both the films are widescreen, which are very suitable for an ever-growing population of DVD owners, and owners of ever growing in size TV's!! The price is also very reasonable- this double DVD can be bought from amazon.co.uk for £9.69, which is less than what you'd usually pay for a single DVD. The DVD case itself will also be easily recognised by any BluesBrother fan. The front photo has been divided in ...
Advantages: The Blues Brothers Disadvantages: Blues Brothers 2000
I spotted a double DVD set of the two "Basic Instinct" films recently and it got me thinking how clever marketing people are. Sometimes, DVD releases will be set up so that you have to buy an unpopular sequel just to get a decent film, as they know the dodgy sequel won't sell on its own. This "Basic Instinct" double is one such example, but you could also look at the "Ghostbusters 1 & 2" set in the same way, as well as the "Smokey and the Bandit" trilogy. You'd never buy them all, but you don't have a choice if you want the originals enough.
It saddens me to think that my favourite film of all time falls into the same category as these, having had a failed sequel. But fortunately in these double disc offerings, and even more so this time around, the original is always present. When the set in question is "The BluesBrothers", what ...
Two hoodlum brothers search for members of their defunct rhythm and blues band in the hope of raising five thousand dollars to save the orphanage in which they grew up.... and almost destroy the city of Chicago in the process.
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.
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