# 1941

> 1979 film directed by Steven Spielberg

**Wikidata**: [Q207482](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q207482)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1941_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/1941

## Summary

1941 is a movie that combines the genres of war film, screwball comedy film, and Christmas film. It blends these distinct categories into a single cinematic work, pairing the backdrop of armed conflict with the fast-paced, comedic style of screwball and the seasonal themes of a Christmas movie.

## Summary
1941 is a 1979 American comedy film directed by Steven Spielberg, set during the hysteria following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The film features an ensemble cast including Dan Aykroyd, Ned Beatty, John Belushi, and Christopher Lee, and depicts the chaos in Los Angeles as residents fear a Japanese invasion.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Steven Spielberg, released December 13, 1979 (US)
- Genre: War film, screwball comedy, Christmas film
- Production companies: Columbia Pictures, Universal Pictures
- Runtime: 113 minutes
- Budget: $35 million
- Box office: $31.7 million
- IMDb rating: 5.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 39% critics, 34/100 Metacritic
- Country of origin: United States
- Alternative title: "The Night the Japs Attacked"
- IMDb ID: tt0078723
- Wikipedia title: "1941 (film)"
- Sitelink count: 39 Wikipedia language editions

## FAQs
**What is the plot of 1941?**
The film follows the panic and chaos in Los Angeles in the days following the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, as residents fear a Japanese invasion of the West Coast. The story interweaves multiple characters including a tank crew, a civilian militia, and various civilians caught up in the hysteria.

**Who are the main actors in 1941?**
The ensemble cast includes Dan Aykroyd, Ned Beatty, John Belushi, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Christopher Lee, Tim Matheson, Toshiro Mifune, Warren Oates, Robert Stack, and Treat Williams. John Candy has an uncredited cameo appearance.

**What genre is 1941 classified as?**
1941 is classified as a war film, screwball comedy, and Christmas film. It combines elements of wartime drama with slapstick comedy and satirical elements about American paranoia during World War II.

**How was 1941 received by critics and audiences?**
The film received mixed to negative reviews upon release, with criticism focused on its chaotic pacing and excessive length. It has a 39% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 5.1/10 on IMDb. However, some critics have reappraised it over time as an ambitious, if flawed, comedy.

**What is the historical context of 1941?**
The film is set in the immediate aftermath of the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which brought the United States into World War II. It depicts the widespread fear and paranoia on the American West Coast, where many believed a Japanese invasion was imminent.

## Why It Matters
1941 represents a significant departure in Steven Spielberg's filmography, marking his first attempt at outright comedy after establishing himself with thrillers and science fiction films. The film showcases Spielberg's technical mastery through elaborate action sequences and special effects, while also demonstrating the challenges of balancing spectacle with coherent storytelling. As a high-budget comedy with an all-star cast, it reflects the Hollywood studio system's approach to filmmaking in the late 1970s. The film's historical setting provides commentary on American wartime hysteria and the cultural impact of Pearl Harbor, making it both a period piece and a reflection of Cold War-era anxieties. Despite its commercial underperformance, 1941 has gained cult status among Spielberg enthusiasts and film historians interested in the director's artistic evolution.

## Notable For
- Steven Spielberg's first comedy film after establishing himself with thrillers
- Features three comedy legends from Saturday Night Live: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, and John Candy
- One of the most expensive comedies of its time with a $35 million budget
- Includes extensive practical effects and large-scale action sequences
- Features Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune in a Hollywood production
- Represents a unique blend of war film and screwball comedy genres
- Has gained cult following despite initial critical and commercial disappointment
- Demonstrates Spielberg's technical ambition in comedy filmmaking

## Body

### Production and Development
1941 was produced by Columbia Pictures and Universal Pictures, two major American film studios with extensive histories in Hollywood. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg, who had already established himself as a major director with films like Jaws (1975) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). The screenplay was written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, who would later collaborate on the Back to the Future trilogy. John Milius also contributed to the story development.

### Cast and Characters
The film features an extensive ensemble cast including Dan Aykroyd as Sgt. Frank Tree, Ned Beatty as Ward Douglas, John Belushi as Capt. Wild Bill Kelso, Lorraine Gary as Joan Douglas, Murray Hamilton as Claude Crumm, Christopher Lee as Capt. Wolfgang von Kleinschmidt, Tim Matheson as Cpl. Chuck 'Stretch' Sitarski, Toshiro Mifune as Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura, Warren Oates as Col. 'Madman' Maddox, Robert Stack as Maj. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell, and Treat Williams as Cpl. 'Santa' Monica. John Candy appears in an uncredited cameo role.

### Technical Specifications
The film has a runtime of 113 minutes and was shot in color with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The production budget was $35 million, making it one of the most expensive comedies of its era. The film utilized extensive practical effects, including large-scale explosions, miniature work, and complex action sequences involving military vehicles and aircraft.

### Release and Distribution
1941 premiered in the United States on December 13, 1979, with additional release dates including March 27, 1980. The film was distributed by Columbia Pictures in the US market. Despite the high-profile director and star-studded cast, the film underperformed at the box office, grossing approximately $31.7 million against its $35 million budget.

### Critical Reception
Upon release, 1941 received mixed to negative reviews from critics. The film holds a 39% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on critic reviews, with a Metacritic score of 34 out of 100. Critics often cited the film's chaotic pacing, excessive length, and difficulty balancing its large ensemble cast. However, some reviewers praised the technical achievements and individual performances, particularly those of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.

### Historical and Cultural Context
The film is set in the days following the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, which marked the United States' entry into World War II. It depicts the widespread fear and paranoia that gripped the American West Coast, where many residents believed a Japanese invasion was imminent. The film uses this historical backdrop to explore themes of wartime hysteria, American exceptionalism, and the absurdity of military bureaucracy.

### Genre Classification
1941 is classified under multiple genres in film databases. It is primarily categorized as a war film due to its World War II setting, but also as a screwball comedy, reflecting its fast-paced, farcical humor style. Additionally, it is classified as a Christmas film, likely due to its December release date and some holiday-themed elements in the narrative.

### Legacy and Reappraisal
While initially considered a commercial and critical disappointment, 1941 has undergone reappraisal in subsequent years. Film scholars and Spielberg enthusiasts have come to appreciate the film's technical ambition, its place in the director's filmography, and its satirical take on American wartime culture. The film has developed a cult following among fans of 1970s comedy and those interested in the evolution of blockbuster filmmaking.

### Connections to Other Films
1941 shares connections with other films through its cast and crew. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd had previously worked together on Saturday Night Live and would later star in The Blues Brothers (1980). Director Steven Spielberg would go on to direct other ensemble comedies like The Blues Brothers' spiritual successor, 1941's tone and style influenced later comedies that blended action and humor, such as The Cannonball Run (1981) and other star-studded comedies of the early 1980s.

### Technical and Artistic Achievements
The film is notable for its elaborate production design, recreating 1940s Los Angeles with extensive period detail. The action sequences, particularly those involving military vehicles and aircraft, showcase Spielberg's technical prowess and his ability to stage complex, large-scale scenes. The film's cinematography by William A. Fraker and editing by Michael Kahn (both frequent Spielberg collaborators) contribute to its distinctive visual style, characterized by dynamic camera movements and rapid editing during action sequences.

### Cultural Impact
Despite its initial reception, 1941 has left a mark on popular culture through its memorable characters, quotable dialogue, and iconic scenes. The film's portrayal of American wartime paranoia has been referenced in discussions of historical hysteria and media-driven fear. Its all-star cast, featuring many performers at the height of their careers, represents a snapshot of American comedy in the late 1970s. The film's ambitious scope and technical achievements continue to be studied by film students and historians interested in the evolution of the Hollywood blockbuster.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. The Movie Database
3. 1941. Rotten Tomatoes
4. Freebase Data Dumps
5. Lexicon of international films
6. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078723/releaseinfo/)
7. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078723/parentalguide/#certificates)
8. Kinopoisk
9. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/1941/)
10. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
11. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
12. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/52038)
13. Cineplex
14. Online-Filmdatenbank
15. [Source](http://portal.mj.gov.br/ClassificacaoIndicativa/jsps/DadosObraForm.do?select_action=&tbobra_codigo=58232)
16. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
17. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=13462)
18. mymovies.it
19. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/A496-22C5-B679-5106-38FC-Z)
20. Danish Film Database
21. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/1941-K3E3KEK)
22. Trakt.tv
23. FilmVandaag.nl