The Blues Brothers

The Blues Brothers is a 1980 American musical action comedy film directed by John Landis.

The Blues Brothers is a 1980 American musical action comedy film directed by John Landis. It stars John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as the characters Jake and Elwood Blues, who were developed from a recurring sketch on Saturday Night Live. The film follows the brothers as they try to save the Catholic orphanage where they were raised.

Origins

The Blues Brothers began as a recurring musical act created by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi for Saturday Night Live. The characters later expanded into a touring band and recording act before being adapted into a feature film.

Plot

In the film, Jake Blues is released from prison and reunites with Elwood. The brothers set out on a mission to save the orphanage where they were raised by rebuilding their band and raising money.

Production and style

Directed by John Landis, the film combines musical performance with action-comedy and chase sequences. Its cast includes several well-known musicians in supporting or cameo roles, such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles.

Legacy

The Blues Brothers became a well-known cult film and was later followed by the sequel Blues Brothers 2000 in 1998. The film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2020.