The Blues Brothers

The Blues Brothers

Year: 1980

Runtime: 133 mins

Language: English

ActionMusicComedyCrimeCrude humor and satire

Fresh out of prison, Jake Blues reunites his old rhythm‑and‑blues band with his brother Elwood for a wild, gospel‑fueled road trip. Their goal: raise enough money to rescue the Catholic orphanage that raised them, all while evading the police and staying true to a “mission from God.”

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Blues Brothers (1980)

Trace every key event in The Blues Brothers (1980) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Paroled from Joliet and picked up by Elwood

Jake Blues is released after three years of a five-year sentence for armed robbery. Elwood picks him up in a battered former police car and demonstrates its odd driving capabilities by jumping an open drawbridge.

Afternoon Joliet, Illinois
2

Visit to the orphanage reveals tax trouble

The Blues Brothers visit the Catholic orphanage where they were raised and learn it could be closed unless $5,000 in property taxes is paid. The financial crisis becomes the catalyst for their plan to reform the band and raise the money by reuniting the Blues Brothers.

Evening Catholic orphanage (St. Mary's)
3

Sermon inspires reform

They attend Reverend Cleophus James's sermon at Triple Rock Baptist Church and experience an epiphany: they can reform the Blues Brothers and raise the funds needed to save the orphanage. This realization sets the rest of the plan in motion.

Evening Triple Rock Baptist Church
4

Arrest attempt and mall chase

State troopers attempt to arrest Elwood for driving with a suspended license due to hundreds of tickets. The brothers escape with a high-speed car chase through the Dixie Square Mall.

Night Dixie Square Mall
5

Rocket attack and flophouse demolition

A mysterious woman fires a rocket launcher at the brothers at their flophouse, but the shot misses. The next morning, she detonates a bomb that destroys the building, yet Jake and Elwood are unharmed and avoid arrest.

Morning Elwood's flophouse
6

Reuniting the band at the Holiday Inn

Jake and Elwood locate five of their former band members performing as Murph and the Magic Tones at a deserted Holiday Inn lounge. The brothers reassert themselves by dining with poor manners, coaxing the trumpeter Mr. Fabulous to rejoin. With the lineup reassembled, they begin arranging instruments and rehearsals.

Soon after the explosion Holiday Inn lounge (deserted)
7

Jackson Park confrontation with neo-Nazis

On the way to meet the final two members, an American Nazi Party demonstration blocks a Chicago bridge in Jackson Park. Elwood drives the demonstrators off the bridge into the East Lagoon, and the Nazis vow revenge.

Evening Jackson Park, Chicago
8

Matt Murphy joins; Ray's Music Exchange IOU

They locate Matt Guitar Murphy, now running a soul-food restaurant with his wife and Blue Lou Marini. Although his wife advises against rejoining, the brothers press on and obtain instruments and gear from Ray's Music Exchange in Calumet City, with Ray accepting an IOU.

Following Jackson Park incident Matt Murphy's restaurant; Ray's Music Exchange, Calumet City
9

Phone booth bombing and near-miss

As Jake attempts to book a gig, the mysterious woman bombs his phone booth, leaving him miraculously unharmed again. The incident underscores the danger surrounding the brothers as they push toward the next major show.

Between gear gathering and Bob's gig Phone booth (location unspecified)
10

Bob's Country Bunker gig

The brothers perform at Bob's Country Bunker in Kokomo, Indiana, impersonating the booked act. They win over the rowdy crowd but rack up a huge bar tab and anger the real band, the Good Ole Boys.

Evening (before Palace show) Bob's Country Bunker, Kokomo, Indiana
11

Palace Hotel Ballroom show and cash advance

To raise the crucial funds, they book the Palace Hotel Ballroom north of Chicago and publicize the event citywide. The packed show features two songs as the tax deadline looms, and a record executive offers a $10,000 cash advance on a recording contract, hinting at the path to paying the taxes and IOU.

Evening of the big show Palace Hotel Ballroom, north of Chicago
12

Escape through the tunnel and ex-fiancée confrontation

After the performance, they slip out through a service tunnel while authorities close in. The mystery woman—Jake's vengeful ex-fiancée—follows and fires an M16 rifle; the bullets miss, and she appears drawn to Jake, allowing the brothers to escape.

Immediately after encore Palace Hotel Ballroom service tunnel
13

Final chase and tax payment

Chased by police, the Good Ole Boys, and the Neo-Nazis, the brothers perform a series of improbable escapes back toward Chicago. They reach City Hall and pay the Cook County tax bill at the assessor's office, but are immediately seized by a mob of law officers.

Right after paying the tax Chicago City Hall; Cook County Assessor's Office
14

Jailhouse rock finale

In Joliet Prison, the Blues Brothers perform Jailhouse Rock for the inmates, giving the band a final, defiant moment before the credits roll.

End of the story Joliet Prison

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:59

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The Blues Brothers Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Blues Brothers

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