Is Ferris Bueller's Day Off intentionally inspired by Blues Brothers?
I saw Blues Brothers (1980) for the first time last night and I couldn't help but see many parallels between it and Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986).
Both plots feature an adventure in the city of Chicago. There are some similar scenes such as the scene at the French restaurant and over-the-top musical numbers. The two movies had a very similar feel in many places and I can't help but compare them.
Were the creators of Ferris Bueller's Day Off inspired by Blues Brothers? Were specific parallels drawn intentionally?
Best Answer
I don't believe it was.
Wikipedia says this about the location of the movie:
"Chicago is what I am," said Hughes. "A lot of Ferris is sort of my love letter to the city. And the more people who get upset with the fact that I film there, the more I'll make sure that's exactly where I film. It's funny—nobody ever says anything to Woody Allen about always filming in New York. America has this great reverence for New York. I look at it as this decaying horror pit. So let the people in Chicago enjoy Ferris Bueller."
So there doesn't' seem to be any indication that the location was inspired by Blues Brothers, but rather it was Hughes' fascination with the city that inspired him to shoot there.
I think they just happened to have some similar characteristics.
Pictures about "Is Ferris Bueller's Day Off intentionally inspired by Blues Brothers?"
Is the restaurant in Blues Brothers the same as Ferris Bueller?
A replica of the restaurant's interior was used for a scene in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers. Bill Contos said of the replica, "It was either that or ship the McCormick mansion to the West Coast, and this just seemed easier." A similar set was used in the 1986 movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off.Is Ferris Bueller and Jeanie twins?
The original shooting script for the film says both Ferris and Jeanie are 18 years old, although Jeanie is listed as his older sister. So they're twins, but Ferris is still the annoying younger brother.Ferris rushes home, the running montage: Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
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Answer 2
The restaurant scene is extremely similar in both moves. The parade scene in Ferris brings to thought the dancing scene in Blues Brothers, especially the song and the dancing group. Watch them closely, they mimic the Blues Brothers movie on every level, including the church dancing number where they flip in the air. I'd say it was an homage.
Answer 3
I'm from Chicago and love both movies and prolly watch both of them at least once a year. I think it def pays homage but also because Hughes loves Chicago and Blues Brothers IS Chicago. Check out this link of when Cam freaks out about the car's mileage. There is a quick shot of the statues when Elwood has the mini funeral for the Dodge in Blues Brothers. They are very similar.
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