Strange Brew (1983)

Strange Brew - Courtesy of Turner
Entertainment Co.

Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, and Steve de Jarnatt

Hamlet with toques and stubbies. After her father mysteriously dies, Pam Elsinore's (Lynne Griffin) uncle Claude Elsinore (Paul Dooley) marries her mother and takes over Elsinore Breweries. With the help of Bob and Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) and Jean "Rosie" LaRose (Angus McInnes), Pam must uncover the truth about her fathers death--and stop the evil Brewmeister Smith (Max Von Sydow) from taking over the world with mind-controlling drugs.

Audio Clip: "Shakespeare horked our script"

Video Clip: "Ophelia/Rosencrantz and Guildenstern"
This scene alludes to the drowning of Ophelia. The scene also references the attempted assassination of Hamlet by sending him to England with Rosencrantz and Guildernstern who have a note requesting Hamlet's execution. The brakes on the McKenzie van have been cut and it launches into Lake Ontario. (Also note the old yellow police cars and Toronto's skyline in 1983.)

Video Clip: "Police Divers"
After the McKenzie van sinks to the bottom of Lake Ontario, police divers are sent to retrieve the bodies of Bob, Doug, and Rosie. This is another example of how the most tragic moments in Shakespeare often become comic when adapted (however remotely) to a Canadian context.

Link to Database

Link to CBC article " Alternative Canadian Walk of Fame Inductee: Strange Brew"

CASP gratefully acknowledges Turner Entertainment Co's permission to use these clips from Strange Brew on our website.