1941 (1979)
Steven Spielberg's wildly ambitious wartime farce unleashes mass hysteria, a rogue Japanese submarine, and John Belushi on an unsuspecting California coast.
1941 - Movie Information
- Original Title: 1941
- Release Year: 1979
- Directed by: Steven Spielberg
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, War
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 58m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: German, English, Spanish, Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 14, 1979 (Canada - 14A), December 14, 1979 (United States - PG), December 14, 1979 (United Kingdom - 12), March 27, 1980 (Germany - 12), March 12, 1980 (France - U), April 24, 1980 (Australia - M), July 21, 1980 (Brazil - 12), June 20, 1980 (Mexico), February 22, 1980 (Italy - T), March 14, 1980 (Spain - APTA), July 26, 1980 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: 1941 (Director's Cut) (CA), The Night the Japs Attacked (US), 1941 (FR)
- Production Companies: Columbia Pictures, Universal Pictures, A-Team Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
1941 - Plot
In the days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, panic grips California, where a military officer leads a mob chasing a Japanese sub.
1941 - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the pandemonium unfold:
Paranoia meets pandemonium.
Where to Watch 1941
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1941 - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Steven Spielberg
Main Cast
- Dan Aykroyd
- Ned Beatty
- John Belushi
- Lorraine Gary
- Murray Hamilton
- Christopher Lee
- Tim Matheson
- Toshirō Mifune
- Warren Oates
- Robert Stack
Writers
- Bob Gale
- John Milius
- Robert Zemeckis
Producers
- Buzz Feitshans
1941 - FAQs
Where can you stream or watch 1941?
1941 is currently available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It is not included in any major subscription streaming service at this time. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date availability in your region.
Is 1941 based on real events?
Yes, 1941 is loosely inspired by real wartime hysteria following the Pearl Harbor attack. The film satirizes the genuine panic that gripped the California coast in late 1941, including actual incidents such as the so-called Battle of Los Angeles and fears of a Japanese submarine shelling the mainland.
Why did 1941 fail at the box office?
While 1941 earned around $94.9 million worldwide against a $35 million budget, it was considered a disappointment relative to Spielberg's prior blockbusters Jaws and Close Encounters. Critics found the comedy too loud and chaotic, and audiences expecting a tighter narrative were put off by its relentless, anarchic energy.
Who are the main actors in 1941?
1941 features an enormous ensemble cast including John Belushi as the wild fighter pilot Capt. Wild Bill Kelso, Dan Aykroyd as Sgt. Frank Tree, Toshirō Mifune as a Japanese submarine commander, Christopher Lee, Robert Stack, Warren Oates, Tim Matheson, Ned Beatty, Lorraine Gary, and John Candy in an early role.
What is 1941 about?
Set in the chaotic days following the Pearl Harbor attack, 1941 follows a cast of bumbling soldiers, panicked civilians, and a rogue Japanese submarine crew as mass hysteria engulfs the California coast. Spielberg plays the scenario for broad, frenetic comedy, satirizing wartime paranoia and American overreaction.
Is there a director's cut of 1941?
Yes, a director's cut of 1941 exists and runs approximately 146 minutes, significantly longer than the original 118-minute theatrical release. Spielberg restored several deleted sequences, adding more character development and comedic set pieces. It has been released on home video and is listed under the alternative title 1941 (Director's Cut).
What is the age rating for 1941?
1941 is rated PG in the United States. The film contains broad slapstick comedy, wartime action sequences, and some mild language. It received a 12 certificate in both the United Kingdom and Germany, a 14A rating in Canada, and a U (universal) classification in France.
Who wrote the screenplay for 1941?
The screenplay for 1941 was written by Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, who would later collaborate on Back to the Future, based on a story developed with John Milius. The script blends satirical wartime humor with large-scale physical comedy, reflecting the anarchic sensibility Gale and Zemeckis brought to their early work.
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