Vatican newspaper salutes 'Blues Brothers'
June 18, 2010
L’Osservatore Romano has hailed the 1980 film, The Blues Brothers, as a Catholic classic.
To mark the 30th anniversary of the American comedy, L’Osservatore dedicated a full page to the Blues Brothers. The Vatican newspaper took note of several Catholic references in the film, in which John Belushi and Dan Akroyd play musicians who declare themselves to be on a “mission from God” to provide funding for an orphanage. "This is a memorable film, and, judging by the facts, a Catholic one," the paper said.
Since the appointment of Gian Maria Vian as editor in 2007, L’Osservatore Romano has made a concerted effort to shed its stodgy image and appeal with a series of earnest appeals to pop culture. The Vatican paper has paid tribute to films like Easy Rider and musicians such as the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Michael Jackson.
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Further information:
- Vatican beatifies Blues Brothers ... well almost (Reuters)
- Vatican pays tribute to 'Blues Brothers' (UPI)
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Posted by: extremeCatholic -
Jun. 20, 2010 12:25 PM ET USA
The "mission from God" that Jake and Elwood are on is to save the Catholic orphanage in which they were raised from foreclosure which they do by gathering the scattered disciples of Blues. The great character actress Kathleen Freeman plays the role of Sr Mary Stigmata, a sterotypical sister of the the 1960's in this 1980 film. I agree with LOR that there's a strong theme of redemption in the film.
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Posted by: -
Jun. 19, 2010 5:21 PM ET USA
Does that mean the election of Pope's is Up In Pontifical Smoke?
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Posted by: Lisa Nicholas, PhD -
Jun. 19, 2010 5:02 PM ET USA
Although I have not seen the Blues Brothers movie (nor been seriously tempted to do so), I've heard people praise it. However, I've never heard anyone *whose taste I trust* do so, and I've never, EVER heard any suggestion that it is a "Catholic" movie. Somebody should get those "hep cats" at L'Osservatore Romano a Netflix subscription and let them trawl for more worthy flicks.
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Posted by: adamah -
Jun. 19, 2010 10:05 AM ET USA
Apparently they do not do drug testing prior to hiring staff at L'Osservatore Romano. I only wonder why there has been no praise for Cheech and Chong.
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Posted by: garedawg -
Jun. 19, 2010 2:34 AM ET USA
Actually, the reason that "The Blues Brothers" is so enjoyable is that Jake and Ellwood do NOT act like good Catholics!
