The Blues Brothers (Widescreen 25th Anniversary Edition)

The Blues Brothers are played to perfection by John Belushi as Jake and Dan Aykroyd as Elwood. The two actors are hysterical together throughout as they anger just about everybody in the city of Chicago. There are far too many lines to mention, but it is obvious that they had fun making this movie. There are plenty of musical cameos also including Cab Calloway, James Brown as a preacher, Aretha Franklin as the owner of a Soul Food diner, Ray Charles as the owner of music store, and John Lee Hooker as a street peformer on Maxwell Street. The film also stars Carrie Fisher, John Candy, Kathleen Freeman, Henry Gibson, and many more. Also look out for a very funny cameo by Frank Oz and a short appearance by Steven Spielberg. Also worth mentioning is the Blues Brothers band including Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Murphy Dunne, "Blue Lou" Marini, Tom "Bones" Malone, Steve "The Colonel" Cropper, Alan Rubin, and Willy "Two Bits" Hall. The Collector's Edition DVD offers widescreen presentation, the original theatrical trailer, a making of documentary with interviews with the cast and crew, and footage not seen since the original release in 1980. This is a great movie that all viewers will find something to like in it. Do not miss this classic!


This flick doesn't get the recognition it deserves.   May 4, 2001
Johny Bottom (Jacksonville, NC)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

I'll start off by saying in the entire history of American cinema, this is my run-away favorite of all time. There is NO movie like the original Blues Brothers. This is the only movie that makes me laugh with every viewing. It makes me want to jump up and dance, grab my guitar, drink a beer, and bring on the happy tears.

Belushi steals this movie in my opinion and that's hard to do with the equally great Elwood. From the opening notes of 'She Caught the Katy' to the finale 'Jailhouse Rock' this movie brings a clever one-liner, a great song, or fast cars every second. This movie has no lull anywhere.

Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Callowy, and the great John Lee Hooker all sing in this one along with 'The Blues Brother's Band'. Jake and Elwood's singing performances are superb. How anyone can dismiss this movie is beyond me. I look at it as a lesson in life. The good will win (no matter how bad they may be).

The session musicians are also excellent. Even the 'geek' of the band Merv is great and they all fit into the motley crew band. Steve 'The Colonal' Cropper, Donald 'Duck' Dunn, Willie 'two bit' Hall, Tom 'Bones' Malone, Matt 'Guitar' Murphey, Alan 'Mr. Fabulous' Rubin, and Lou 'Blue Lou' Marini can all be proud of their involvement with this film.

The wrecking of a public mall is classic (You got us into this parking lot Motorhead, now you get us out!) If that ain't enough, then wait for the finale. Jake and Elwood race to the tax center with Chicago police (cars, horses, helicopters, and boats), Nazis, the US Army (complete with every weapon to include tanks), a swat team, firemen, and a really mad country band in a winnebago in chase. The chase scene is so over the top it must be seen to be believed.

Also watch for Carrie Fisher, John Candy, and a brief cameo by Paul Rubins (Pee Wee Herman).

We miss you Joilet Jake, without you the Blues Brothers just ain't right.


Truely a classic   December 28, 2004
David House (Dallas, TX USA)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

But I am amazed at the price listings of $80-$150. Just wait until it is released again in 2005, will range in prices of $15-$20.



An excellent movie, and lots of goodies   April 5, 2002
Cas (the Idaho mountains)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

This was one of the first DVDs I got, for a reason. I love this movie -- it has energy and panache, not to mention some absolutely fabulous music. As I'm sure some blurb somewhere on this Amazon page mentions, the story concerns two blues-singing brothers who are trying to raise money for a good cause. Along the way, they interact with a ton of interesting people (including Carrie Fisher, Frank Oz, Aretha Franklin, and others), perform a lot of great blues, and destroy a lot of property. Mayhem and hilarity seem to thicken around the two leads, whose chemistry is undeniable. The movie feels nothing like some SNL folks' movies can feel -- it's a movie, with depth. I had no idea the Blues Brothers were a sketch originally!

Since I probably just told you a bunch of stuff you already knew, I'll step along to the DVD itself. Those who already own the movie on VHS might want to consider this addition to their DVD library -- the goodies are lots of fun, including an extensive "making of" feature.


Helloooo Boys!......   February 6, 2003
L. Shirley (fountain valley, ca United States)
19 out of 24 found this review helpful

This review refers to the Universal Widescreen(Digitally THX Mastered) VHS edition of "The Blues Brothers".....

Saturday Night Live Alum together with a Who's Who list of the greatest Rhythm and Blues artists ever assembled in one film, make for one very entertaining, funny, action packed musical.The hard part of this review is keeping myself from revealing every funny line, and all the classic scenes that came from this film(and also all the great cameo performances you'll spot throughout the story).For those too young to remember this classic comedy, or if you haven't seen it for a while let me just refresh your memory(just a little).....

Jake "Joliet" Blues(the late great John Belushi)has just been released from prison. Brother Elwood Blues(Dan Aykroyd) picks him up and they're off to fullfill a promise to visit "The Penguin". Sister Mary Stigmata(Kathleen Freeman), the head nun at the Catholic Orphanage where they grew up informs them that the Orphanage will have to close down unless she can come up with the Five Thousand Dollars neccessary to pay the property taxes.No problem for "The Blues Brothers", they'll have the money she needs by tommorrow. But NO! NO! NO!, she does not want their filthy bank robbery money, and they are not to return until they can "redeem themselves"!

While on a visit to church, where you'll find James Brown as The Reverend Cleophus James leading the congregation in song, Jake literally "sees the light!".They'll just put "The Blues Band" back together for one big night and raise the money for "The Penguin" and the Orphanage. Getting the band back together is easier said than done though.Along the way, we are treated to some musical performances by these great names..Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles and even Chaka Khan. The hysterical action also heats up as they make enemies all along the way. They are being chased by the cops,the Nazis(led by one very funny Henry Gibson), and a very angry ex-girlfriend(Carrie Fisher) who has a thing for Flame Throwers. They leave a path a destruction in their wake that is unsurpassed in chase scenes.

It's a riotous romp, directed by John Landis(Animal House/Trading Places), that will leave you wanting more..and luckily...there's a sequel! "Blues Brothers 2000", which has the terrific addition of John Goodman to the cast.This VHS tape is terrific. Not only does it have a great picture in the original widescreen image(1.85:1), but the sound is digitally mastered, and is excellent in the stereo surround. There are even a couple of bonus features on this edition. There is the "Making Of" the sequel, talking with all the stars about coming back to do it again, and after the credits, you'll find the "making of" for the original, which clues you in on lots of little trivia details.

If you're looking for something really funny, something with a great music, a great script, and one that will be a terrific addition to your classic comedy collection, look no further, you've found it! And don't forget to look for all the great cameos along the way..(I think I restrained myself pretty well from giving them away... don't you?)
Have a great time with this one and maybe you too will "see the light".......Laurie

also recommended;
Goin South
Romancing the Stone/ The Jewel of the Nile