Continental Divide [Blu-ray]

Director: Michael Apted Michael Apted

Overview

A Chicago newspaper columnist (James Belushi) travels to the Rockies to interview a hermit ornithologist (Blair Brown), and though they realize that sharing little in common is a stumbling block to any relationship, romance blooms.

Product Details

Release Date:	12/01/2020
UPC:	0738329251246
Original Release:	1981
Rating:	PG
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Region Code:	A
Language:	English
Time:	1:43:00
Sales rank:	25,441

Special Features

Audio Commentary by Film Historian/Filmmaker Daniel Kremer and Film Historian/Biographer Nat Segaloff; Theatrical Trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

John Belushi	Ernie Souchak
Allen Garfield	Howard McDermott
Blair Brown	Nell Porter
Carlin Glynn	Sylvia
Tony Ganios	Max Bernbaum
Val Avery	Yablonowitz
Liam Russell	Deke
Everett Smith	Fiddle
Bill Henderson	Train Conductor
Bruce Jarchow	Hellinger
Eddie Schwartz	Jimmy
Harold Holmes	Mr. Feeney
Elizabeth Young	Mrs. Feeney
Frankie Hill	Agatha
Mike Bacarella	Delaney
Christopher Lowell	Poacher
Frank Noel	Poacher
Zaid Farid	Mugger
Jack Decker	Police Thug
Ben Rawnsley	Police Thug
Dallas Alinder	Alderman
Ronald W. McLeish	Station Master
Yana Nirvana	Blonde
Tim Kazurinsky	Reporter
Norm Tobin	Layout Man
Ron Dean	Plesko
Joe Wright	Newsboy
John Larson	Henchman
Dave Adams	Alderman
Allen Goorwitz	Actor
Michael Small	Composer

Technical Credits

Jack Rosenthal

Lawrence Kasdan

Michael Apted	Director
Bernie Brillstein	Executive Producer,Producer
Bob Larson	Producer
Jack Rosenthal	Executive Producer,Producer,Screenwriter
Steven Spielberg	Executive Producer,Producer
Lawrence Kasdan	Screenwriter,Producer
Zelda Barron	Producer
Jonathan Pendragon	Stunts
Robert L. Harman	Sound Effects
Michael Chinich	Casting

Editorial Reviews

With all the heavy hitters on hand for Continental Divide -- star John Belushi, director Michael Apted, screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, producer Steven Spielberg -- you'd expect something more distinctive than lightly comic romantic fluff, whose primary theme is "opposites attract." This is not to say that Continental Divide fails at carrying out its slight intentions, just that viewers might be surprised by the low yields from that kind of collision of talent. Belushi fans will definitely want to see this film, as it was his penultimate theatrical release, and hinted at what he might have been capable of beyond pratfalls. It's never quite believable that Blair Brown's eccentric eagle tracker would fall for Belushi's chain-smoking columnist -- nor is she half as eccentric as such a mountain recluse would likely be. In this way and others, including Belushi trying to humorously fend off the attacks of several wild animals, Continental Divide slouches toward a sitcom middle ground. Apted is better off when he lets Belushi's abilities lend natural whimsy to everyday exchanges, rather than resorting to more high-concept set pieces that don't work, such as the pair's interactions with a former football great-turned-mountain man. Kasdan's script also gets a little soppy near the end with a protracted series of false goodbyes. In part because it was such a departure for Belushi, his core audience failed to drive Continental Divide to the box-office heights of Animal House and The Blues Brothers, leaving it as something of a flop. Over time, it has come to be thought of as a more fond and dignified way to remember Belushi than just as a bellowing buffoon.