20 Things You Didn't Know About The Blues Brothers
3. The Movie Has The Blessing Of The Catholic Church
At its heart, The Blues Brothers is about faith, hope, and redemption. The boys firmly believe that they are on a mission from God. It is perhaps because of this that amazing things like the Bluesmobile somehow flipping high into the air without a ramp can happen.
Amazingly, the production was blessed by Pope John Paul II. He happened to be in Chicago while the movie was filming, and, hearing of the storyline, dropped by the set to visit. Almost all the cast and crew kissed the Pope's ring and received a blessing.
In a review to commemerate the 30th anniversary of the film, a writer for L'osservatore Romano, the official daily newspaper of Vatican City, stated that the film is filled with positive symbolism and moral references related to Catholicism. This despite the swearing, depiction of alcohol use, gratuitous use of flamethrowers and rocket launchers, and Elwood insulting the feared 'Penguin', Sister Mary Stigmata .
The paper went even further with its praise, saying that The Blues Brothers 'is a memorable film, and, judging by the facts, a Catholic one.'
Once can't ask for much higher praise than that of the Vatican.