Vatican Recognizes 'Blues Brothers' as Catholic Film

By PopEater Staff Posted Jun 18th 2010 01:35PM

The official Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, has given a glowing endorsement to 'The Blues Brothers,' a 1980 comedy classic that featured John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Jake and Elwood Blues, respectively, two men who felt they were on a mission from God.

"This is a memorable film, and, judging by the facts, a Catholic one," the paper wrote. On the film's 30th anniversary, the Vatican devoted no less than five articles to the topic, Reuters reports.

The Vatican feels Jake's story -- his prison release and subsequent effort to reunite his blues band to save St. Helen of the Blessed Shroud Orphanage -- resembles the saga of Jesus.

"'A Catholic Film' was the title of a commentary by the top editor of L'Osservatore Romano, Gian Maria Vian, who has turned the once staid broadsheet into an often trendy and topical must-read," Politics Daily reports, noting another article was headlined 'On a Mission From God (and for cinema).'

See the famous line:

The New York Post notes that when 'The Blues Brothers' was released in 1980, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote, "The plot is interspersed with scenes of wholesale destruction and frenzied chases which are spectacularly unfunny and uninvolving."

The Vatican's newspaper, conversely, deems the film a "masterpiece," "incredibly shrewd" and "full of ideas," reports the National Catholic Register.

Previously:
• Vatican Forgives Beatles, Ringo Says 'Don't Bother Me'

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Tags: Blues Brothers, vatican

Comments

(15)

Friday 18 June

By Terri Matthews

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My most favorite movie of all time! I've watched it probably 25 times. Good for the catholic church!

By biggie

Congrats Penguin, you raised those boys the best you could.

By clikdawg

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Oh, those wild and crazy Vatican guys!

What's next for these party animals -- Madonna's "Body of Evidence", perhaps?

By JBaer

Nice to know the Vatican is busy reviewing movies rather than looking out for the Pope's well-being. I'm especially pleased they put their stamp of approval on a 30-year-old film. Can't wait to hear what they say about Al and Tipper Gore's divorce.

By hawk

Thirty years is rapid response for the Vatican, ask Galileo...

By diane

But I can't be a priest because I'm a ggiiiirrrrlllll!

By Kate S.

I am one southern gal who loves those Chicago "Blues Bro's"

By JRB

Great maybe a priest can take a young boy to see the movie. This is really important. Doesn't the Vatican have more important issues in God's behalf?

By francot

I loved the Blues Brothers film but... Are you serious? The Vatican has lost it's freakin' mind... "resembles the saga of Jesus" Get real... This is a freakin" movie for God sake... Our religious leaders have finally sold their souls... What a joke!
Religion is officially a JOKE...

By Pika Jew

Its been a joke for more reasons than what they are known for now.

By Ed

Father Guido Sarducci would be proud !!!
I sure am !
Here's lookin' at you, Penguin !

By teakin88

Hey hey, look at all these people bashing the Catholic Church! How new and original! Some true geniuses visiting this site, I tell you.

By debbie

People bash the religion because as you can read for yourself above, they do something "new and originally" ridiculous or shameful almost daily.

Yes we mustn't critize those that have a direct line to god, especially when they do a 180 on a thirty year old movie, Baaaahhhhhh

Saturday 19 June

By HsouixZ

You know...I liked the "Blues Brothers" movie. It was funny, as it was meant to be. It was a poke at the Catholic Church, and the church was the butt of the joke, during the movie. I even miss John Belushi, and from time to time I drop in a DVD of "Animal House" to remember the laughs and the good times; and yes...it was good times.

I suppose with all the controversy regarding this current Pope and the Catholic Church in general, (it's clerics fornicating with it's parishioners and the molestation of altar boys) perhaps the Catholic Church needs a bit of humor to survive.

If "The Blues Brothers" helps it get through the night, I guess that ok. I just wonder if it's victims are laughing as well?

Thank you, Susie H.

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