Customer Reviews

To Be Or Not to Be [VHS]

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When I see the name Mel Brooks on a film title, I think bawdy gags, double-entendres and a bathroom-humor punchline. (But that's me!) This movie was a pleasant change from the usual Brooks offerings with crisp dramatic direction, a good dramatic cast (Ann Bancroft was perfect as the wife with a wandering eye) and a bitter sweet plot. Watching Mel Brooks interact with some accomplished actors, you realize the depth of his talent - he holds his own very well and has a strong screen presence. Although this is a remake of a wonderful 1942 Jack Benny film, Brooks does a great job updating the script for today's audiences. It's not Young Frankenstein or even High Anxiety but it is a nice little movie that any Brooks fan will thoroughly enjoy. As an aside, I think Mel must lay awake at night thinking of ways to poke fun at Nazis in general and Hitler in particular (think Producers, Blazing Saddles...). He does it so well, I hope he never stops.

This is, for me, the best of the Brooks films. How often does one enjoy a re-make as well as the original? Jack Benny and Carol Lombard are wonderful in the 1942 original, a must-see, but I love this version just as much - José Ferrer steals the show along with a host of great modern character actors. This is a more refined, less raw Mel Brooks comedy, with a wonderful homage to the original. Charles Durning is fabulous as well as the entire well-cast cast. I have been patiently waiting to replace my VHS with a DVD version. Hello? How much longer do I have to wait?

Mel Brooks' remake of TO BE OR NOT TO BE doesn't improve on the Ernst Lubitsch classic, but it's a very enjoyable film in it's own right. Perhaps wisely, the script follows the 1942 original very closely, but the comedy is broader this time and the thriller aspect lessened.Brooks and Anne Bancroft play stars of a Warsaw theatrical troupe in 1939 (A highlight is their duet of "Sweet Georgia Brown," sung in Polish). When Bancroft discovers she is the object of a pilot's affections, it begins a chain of events that has the troupe working to save the underground movement after Hitler invades Poland.Brooks gives one of his very best performances as an actor who uses his skills to outwit the Nazis, while worrying whether or not his wife is having an affair. Bancroft matches him every step of the way, and comes closer than anyone in the cast to achieving "the Lubitsch touch." Charles Durning is also a standout as the notorious "Concentration Camp Ehrhardt."While this film is well worth watching, I also STRONGLY recommend the original Lombard-Benny classic, if you've never seen it. But you won't hear Jack Benny and Carole Lombard sing "Sweet Georgia Brown" in Polish!

My children, now ages 12 and 9, have loved this film for the last six years, since the day we allowed them to watch it. The Nazis are not the bumbling dimwits of "Hogan's Heroes," but they are not quite as smart as Mel Brooks's Fredric Bronski. The characters are enjoyable and ultimately lovable: Brooks as the self-absorbed and not-quite-successful head of a rag-tag Polish vaudeville troupe; Anne Bancroft as his aging but flirtatious (and much better received) performing wife, and a wonderful ensemble cast to support each other. There is adventure, excitement, subtle and highbrow comedy, and as one might expect from Mel Brooks, victory over the Nazis. The theatre troupe is ultimately successful in its mission to stop a traitorous Polish spy, but when Brooks disguises himself as the spy to complete the mission, the movie really takes off. There is some sexual innuendo, as well as some slang references to homosexuals, so parents: be cautious. But as an introduction to Brooks, as a glimpse into the Nazi preoccupation with the conquering of Europe and the Final Solution, it is a winner.

This film is a combination of laughter and good drama. We need more artists like these who can see the good - even in the midst of difficulty. I've been looking all over town for this movie, and I would heartily recommend it. If you're not a Mel Brooks fan, this is a different kind of comedy than he usually does - and with spectacular results.

I personally thought that this movie was hillarious. The first time i saw it i couldn't stop laughing. Yes, it's true that it's not the best Brooks film but i thought it was a great change from watching most of his recent movies. The little things in the movie crack me up, like when the Col. keeps falling off the desk. That's just classic Brooks. Brooks is one of my favorite actor/directors and i think that it might not match up to Space Balls, Young Frankenstein, and others, but, i still think it's a great movie and very entertaining.

This movie is an excellent remake of the Jack Benny movie of the same name. Mel Brooks is very funny (as usual) in this movie. However, just about every actor comes close to stealing the show - especially Anne Bancroft. The Mel Brooks lunacy takes a back seat to the storytelling. The director proves that he knows when the story is just as entertaining as the punch lines and gags. Similar to Young Frankenstein, the actors play their roles "seriously" and the dialogue and situations showcase the humor.
In addition, just as a good drama has a touch of humor, this comedy has a little drama. That is one of the elements that make this one of my very favorite Mel Brooks films.

This is a slightly more serious side of Mel, which is to say, madly funny; and I found it absolutely hilarious. Taking on a suspenseful WWII drama in Poland, probably the last thing you think of is slapstick. The comedy had its perhaps poignantly cheesy moments, which are the only detractors in the entire film, and I'm sure most viewers will recognize them, and yet also has some classic, mad hilarity.

Having not seen the original, I think I will have to now. Mel is surely one of the greatest American comedians, and I also agree with other reviewers here that he displays his acting skills more strongly than in other films. There is, BTW, no raunchy humor here, and some of the best slapstick I've seen for a while. From the first moment, Mel and the stunning Anne Bancroft as well as all supporting roles are well done and tasteful. Any references to or portrayal of homosexuality are well done and not lewd or offensive.

Because as you may well know, Bronski, played by Brooks, is a director determined to rescue family and friends from his theatre from certain death in the Nazi occupation, and at one point says, "without Jews, gypsies and qu66rs, there would be no theatre. [paraphrased, but very close]" I imagine this film is the inspiration of the 90s synth-pop band choosing the name "Bronski Beat." In this film one of Bronski's gay employees is forced to wear the imfamous pink triangle, and it is remarkable that Mel should portray that historical fact in this film.

But that is just a side-note, as the film is larger than that one issue, and Mel's taking on such a serious drama armed with slapstick, and one absolutely gorgeous co-star, is testimony to the power of humor, (And Anne's beauty) to redeem and enliven, and help us through moments too grim to bear otherwise. And because of that I'd recommend this film strongly. Mel is the man.

To Be or Not To Be is not one of the more well-known Mel Brooks films, but is rip-roaring slightly naughty fun. It sets itself apart from other Mel Brooks films by having a superb, well- structured plot with even some serious social commentary.

Mel plays the lead role and opposite the stunning Anne Bancroft, his real-life wife. Their personalities add a real acting chemistry to the film.

Charles Durning got an academy award nomination as best supporting actor for his role as the Gestapo commander.

I really like the "Naughty Nazis" number - hysterical.

Okay, this movie is HILARIOUS! Alot better than most of the commidies the movie-people have been turning out lately. It isn't as crude as many of Mel Brooks movies, and that helps alot. The humor is the good solid kind that will leave you smiling after the movie is finished.