Strange Brew (1988)
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70% of critics liked it
(20 reviews) -
78% of users liked it
(31,823 ratings)
Purporting to be loosely based on Hamlet, Strange Brew is about an evil braumeister at the Elsinore Brewery who has discovered an additive that when guzzled in beer, allows the drinkers to be easily controlled. Braumeister Smith (Max von Sydow) has a plan to take over the world with his new brew,… More Purporting to be loosely based on Hamlet, Strange Brew is about an evil braumeister at the Elsinore Brewery who has discovered an additive that when guzzled in beer, allows the drinkers to be easily controlled. Braumeister Smith (Max von Sydow) has a plan to take over the world with his new brew, and only the Great White hosers of the North, Bob and Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) -- with their plaid shirts, ski toques, fur-lined parkas, and addiction to beer -- can stop the dastardly plan, sober or not. There are several jabs at "hoseheads" and the business of movie-making, including an epilogue that critiques the film itself. Strange Brew found a cult audience with fans of the Second City comedy troupe, of which Moranis and Thomas were members. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Directed By
- Dave Thomas, Rick Moranis
- Written By
- Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, Steve De Jarnatt
- Genres
- Comedy
- In Theaters
- Aug 19, 1983 Wide
- Studio
- WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES
Critic Reviews
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Trevor Johnston, Time Out
The plotline (derived from Hamlet) soon goes flat.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
The price of a ticket could buy enough beer for an experience at least as memorable as this one.
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Their take on the Bard is as imaginative as any other cinematic adaptation, plus a good deal funnier
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
No, there's nothing intelligent here -- just a couple of likable fellows trying to stop mad Brewmeister Smith (Max von Sydow) from gaining control of the world.
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Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
The film celebrates stupidity and would likely have caused an international incident if Canadians weren't so nice, but it essentially lives up to its premise, once in a while coming up with a gag that is halfway funny.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Dave Thomas
as Doug McKenzie
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Rick Moranis
as Bob McKenzie
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Max von Sydow
as Brewmeister Smith
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Paul Dooley
as Claude Elsinore
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Lynne Griffin
as Pam Elsinore
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Angus MacInnes
as Jean LaRose
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Tom Harvey
as Inspector
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Douglas Campbell
as Henry Green
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Brian McConnachie
as Ted
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Len Doncheff
as Jack Hawkland
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Jill Frappier
as Gertrude
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David Beard
as Judge
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Thick Wilson
as Prosecutor
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Mel Blanc
as Mr. McKenzie
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Glenn Beck
as Prison Guard
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Tom Bell
as Hospital Orderly
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Eric House
as John Elsinore
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David Rigby
as Policeman
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Ron James
as Man in Movie
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J. Winston Carroll
as Fire Chief
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David Clement
as Man in Alley
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Diane Douglass
as Receptionist
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Denis Forest
as Policeman
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Sid Lynas
as Angry Man at Moie
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John Stoneham
as Orderly
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Roger Dunn
as Beer Store Clerk
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Dick Grant
as Policeman
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Dora Dainton
as Lady in Movie
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John Kelly
as Policeman