1941
1979 · Movie · PG · 118 min · ★ 5.8 · 39% critics
In the days after Pearl Harbor, California erupts into panic as a military officer struggles to control a mob on the hunt for a Japanese sub. With confusion spreading fast, the chase turns into escalating chaos across the state.
Also known as 1941 (Director's Cut) · The Night the Japs Attacked
Where to watch
Watch free on The Roku Channel.
2 hours to watch.
Rent
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Years
- 1979
- Release date
- 1979-12-14
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG
- Runtime
- 118 min
- Critic score
- 39/100
- TMDB rating
- 5.8/10 (686 votes)
- Budget
- $35,000,000
About
You may enjoy 1941 if you want a loud, fast 70s-style farce with escalating chaos and a big ensemble, but Not for you if you want World War II treated with seriousness or if you dislike prank-like humor in history, especially compared to The Cannonball Run.
Pros: over-the-top slapstick; big-name cast; energetic wartime farce | Cons: jokes uneven; racism concerns; tone feels off
Themes
- california
- panic
- submarine
- war ship
- world war ii
- pearl harbor
- satire
- los angeles, california
- 1940s
- anarchic comedy
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Visual Effects · 1980 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Cinematography · 1980 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Sound · 1980 · nominated
Cast & crew
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 Crumn
Christopher Lee
as Capt. Wolfgang von Kleinschmidt
Tim Matheson
as Capt. Loomis Birkhead
Toshirō Mifune
as Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura
Warren Oates
as Col. 'Madman' Maddox
Robert Stack
as Maj. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell
Directed by Steven Spielberg