1941

Just after Pearl Harbor, fear sweeps a Southern California coast as rumors of a pressing enemy threat take hold. In a sleepy town, a military officer escalates a manhunt that spirals into chaos, chasing rumors of a hostile submarine spotted offshore. A ragtag cast of soldiers, civilians, and local authorities gets swept into a farce of mistaken orders and overblown bravado. The pursuit pulls in jittery youths, hard-boiled veterans, and bumbling bureaucrats who all pretend to know what a true threat looks like. Amid the panic, loyalty is tested by pride, bravado, and petty rivalries, yet moments of genuine courage peek through the chaos. What starts as a hunt for a submarine turns into a satire of wartime paranoia, mistaken loyalties, and the absurd lengths people go to protect their communities.

Released in 1979, the film was directed by Steven Spielberg with a screenplay by John Milius, Bob Gale, and Robert Zemeckis. It features ensemble led by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, with Ned Beatty and Lorraine Gary in supporting roles.

The movie grossed roughly 94.9 million worldwide on a 35 million budget, a strong return for a comedy released in 1979 and a centerpiece of Steven Spielberg's early success in big scale productions that helped broaden its appeal.

Despite mixed reviews, 1941 is remembered for its large ensemble and riotous set pieces that capture the era's over-the-top paranoia. The film helped popularize a style of large scale satirical war comedies and influenced later directors to blend chaos with broad character types and physical humor.

Critics at the time noted its chaotic energy and Spielberg's deft handling of a sensitive subject through humor. The film probes how fear blurs judgment, inflates authority, and fuels groupthink while still delivering buoyant performances and a celebration of camaraderie amid crisis, even in danger.