The Blues Brothers
An explosive musical odyssey of redemption where soul meets chaos. Two brothers in black suits tear through Chicago on a divine quest, turning destruction into rhythm and lawlessness into a holy crusade.
The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers

"They'll never get caught. They're on a mission from God."

16 June 1980 United States of America 133 min ⭐ 7.7 (4,466)
Director: John Landis
Cast: Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles
Crime Action Comedy Music
Divine Purpose vs. Civil Law Musical Redemption and Heritage Brotherhood and Loyalty Anti-Authority and Anarchy
Budget: $27,000,000
Box Office: $115,229,890

The Blues Brothers - Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

We're on a mission from God.

— Elwood Blues

Context:

Spoken multiple times, most notably to excuse their behavior to the police and to convince the band to rejoin.

Meaning:

The film's ultimate mantra. It justifies every illegal and insane action they take, elevating a road trip to a holy crusade.

It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses.

— Elwood Blues

Context:

Spoken in the Bluesmobile right before the final, massive chase sequence begins. Jake responds simply: "Hit it."

Meaning:

The definition of "cool under pressure." It summarizes their cavalier attitude toward danger and their readiness for chaos.

I hate Illinois Nazis.

— Jake Blues

Context:

Spoken when their car is blocked by a neo-Nazi rally on a bridge, prompting them to drive through the crowd (forcing the Nazis to jump into the river).

Meaning:

A simple, direct moral statement that aligns the audience with the anti-hero protagonists. It mocks the absurdity of hate groups.

Four fried chickens and a Coke.

— Jake Blues

Context:

Ordered at the Soul Food Cafe run by Aretha Franklin's character; Elwood simultaneously orders "dry white toast."

Meaning:

Highlights the characters' specific, unpretentious, and gluttonous tastes. It reinforces their working-class, no-nonsense identity.