Even Spielberg is human.

Rating: 5/10 (12 January 2005)

At least that's what we all said when "1941" hit theaters in December of 1979. After "Jaws" and "Close Encounters" expectations were very high. The ad campaign made sure to headline John Belushi, who was as hot as they come, as the star. The plethora of fine actors in the cast had anticipation high. "1941" is a crashing disappointment. The problem is simple and it's the script. Trying to borrow from "Mad Mad World" we get several stories told at once. The problem is there is no central character to really identify with. Ned Beatty's everyman might have been had his part been bigger. Belushi comes closest to a central character and he seems to be basically re-hashing Bluto from "Animal House". Note the scene where he is flying and cracks open a coke bottle and let's it all spill out on his face (with cigar in mouth). He's practically winking at the camera.
The film is a chaotic mess. When in doubt the characters scream LOUDLY and often (note the ending credits where most of the actors are shown screaming). Did Spielberg think this was funny? Most of the fine supporting cast is wasted. Dan Aykroyd is given little to do. Warren Oates is on and off screen before you know it. Tim Matheson is playing his Otter character in uniform. The best bits belong to Slim Pickens who is taken hostage on a Japanese sub piloted by the great Toshiro Mifune. Also on board is Christopher Lee as a German soldier who can inexplicably communicate with Mifune even though he is speaking German and Mifune speaks Japanese.
The film is not without merit though. The special effects are terrific. John Williams' rousing score is one of his best and most underrated. The opening scene is a takeoff on "Jaws" that is truly inspired and VERY funny. A dance hall contest is beautifully choreographed and probably the best moment in the film.
I wouldn't say this is Spielberg's worst film (my vote goes to "Hook") but it's a huge misfire for one of our best directors. Thankfully he moved on from this bomb and went on to make "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and we all know what happened there.