Vatican endorses 'The Blues Brothers'

In an article marking the 30th anniversary of John Landis' classic movie 'The Blues Brothers', the Vatican's official newspaper 'L'Osservatore Romano,' has called the film a 'Catholic classic' and says it should be recommended viewing for Catholics everywhere.

The film tells the story of Jake and Elwood, played by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, who set out on a 'mission from God' to raise money for the Catholic orphanage where they grew up - run by a nun they call 'the Penguin'. Their rampaging concert tour includes car chases, clashes with the police and neo-Nazi groups, and attempts at revenge from a spurned lover.

Besides Belushi and Aykroyd, the film features an all-star cast including musicians James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, John Lee Hooker, and Chaka Khan, who provide a classic blues soundtrack; and actors John Candy, Carrie Fisher, Charles Napier, and Henry Gibson, and cameo roles for Frank Oz, Steven Spielberg, Landis, Mr T and Paul Reubens.

With the recommendation, The Blues Brothers joins the list of dozens of films recommended by the Vatican that includes Cecil B DeMille's 'The Ten Commandments,' Zeffirelli's Jesus of Nazareth," Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ," Victor Flemming's "Joan of Arc," and "It's a Wonderful Life" from Frank Capra.

For a scene from the film see: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCTJeT2i9QU