See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

40 used & new from $4.10

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
 
Ishtar [VHS]
 
See larger image
 

Ishtar [VHS] (1987)

Starring: Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman Director: Elaine May Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Format: VHS Tape
4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (110 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


38 used from $4.10 2 collectible from $10.00
Also Available in: List Price: Our Price: Other Offers:
DVD 6 used & new from $20.94

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

The Graduate (40th Anniversary Collector's Edition)

The Graduate (40th Anniversary Collector's Edition)

DVD ~ Dustin Hoffman
4.3 out of 5 stars (229)  $13.49
Heaven Can Wait

Heaven Can Wait

DVD ~ Warren Beatty
4.7 out of 5 stars (39)  $9.98
The Thing (Collector's Edition)

The Thing (Collector's Edition)

DVD ~ Kurt Russell
4.6 out of 5 stars (541)  $7.99
Town and Country

Town and Country

DVD ~ Warren Beatty
2.5 out of 5 stars (33)  $9.98
Splendor in the Grass

Splendor in the Grass

DVD ~ Natalie Wood
4.6 out of 5 stars (76)  $13.99
Explore similar items

Product Details

  • Actors: Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, Isabelle Adjani, Charles Grodin, Jack Weston
  • Directors: Elaine May
  • Writers: Elaine May
  • Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
  • Language: English
  • Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Number of tapes: 1
  • Studio: Columbia Pictures
  • VHS Release Date: June 24, 1994
  • Run Time: 107 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: 6302814146
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,229 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
At the time of its release in 1987, this Elaine May production was bandied about as one of the worst films of the decade. It was nominated for three Razzie Awards that year--Worst Picture, Screenplay, Direction--but it still was not the nadir detractors claimed it to be. (Remember, that was the year Norman Mailer's self-indulgence spilled all over the screen in Tough Guys Don't Dance.) If this comedy had been made by unknowns, it would have simply faded into the obscurity it deserves. The fuss came about because May squandered much talent and a ridiculously large budget, rumored to exceed $40 million, returning less than half of that in ticket sales. Two artistically challenged lounge musicians (Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman) are jettisoned out of the States by their agent, who finds them a gig in Morocco. En route, they become pawns in an international power play between the CIA, the mythical emir of Ishtar, and upstarts hoping to overthrow the emir's regime. There are some humorous bits, such as when Hoffman and Beatty so badly perform their horrible ditties that audiences are left appalled. Most of the time however, we are the ones lulled into a near daze by a hokey script and boorish jokes about blind camels. If Abbott and Costello had made this flick, it might have worked. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed

Homicide

Homicide

DVD ~ Yuri Alexis
4.3 out of 5 stars (19)  $29.99
Astronomy 101 (Killer Klowns from Outer Space / Spaceballs / The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension)

Astronomy 101 (Killer Klowns from Outer Space / Spaceballs / The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension)

DVD ~ Peter Weller
$11.49
Essential Art House: Mayerling

Essential Art House: Mayerling

DVD ~ Raymond Aimos
$14.99
The Case of the Grinning Cat

The Case of the Grinning Cat

DVD ~ Chris Marker
3.5 out of 5 stars (2)  $29.98
The Heartbreak Kid

The Heartbreak Kid

DVD ~ Charles Grodin
Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below.
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search
No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?

 

Customer Reviews

110 Reviews
5 star:
 (67)
4 star:
 (28)
3 star:
 (6)
2 star:
 (4)
1 star:
 (5)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (110 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Telling the truth can be dangerous business, December 19, 2005
This review is from: Ishtar (DVD)
Too often, people jump on the bandwagon and say a movie sucks...when they haven't even seen it. I truly suspect that was the case with this, one of my all time favorite movies. When it comes up in conversation, and people moan or say "that was awful," I ask, "Did you actually see it?" And often the answer is "No, but I heard..." Please. This is a brilliant, hilarious movie. It was also one of the first comedies ever to have such a large budget and it came along at a time when the media was first even talking a lot about how big a budget was, in reference to movies. I've always been mystified as to why this movie was so reviled when it's endearing and oh so funny. Not being a particular fan of either Beatty or Hoffman, you just have to give them big mad props for the incredible portrayals in this movie. PLEASE, we need a DVD release for U.S. players...with the goodies and the long, lost musical video included! I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Elaine May a few years after Ishtar came out and she seemed to still be besieged by the naysayers. What a shame...what a bewildering shame. The funniest thing about this movie are the song lyrics and their deadpan, oh-so-serious delivery:

Telling the truth can be dangerous business
honest and popular don't go hand and hand
If you admit you can play the accordian,
no one will hire you for a rock and roll band...
and we'll sing our hearts out...

Indeed. A wonderful movie
Comment Comment (1) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Underated Film deserves to be released in the US., October 19, 2005
This review is from: Ishtar (DVD)
Ishtar is a very funny, underated film. This film should be released on DVD in NTSC format as soon as possible with lots of extras. I would love to see the music video that was never released, as well as have the soundtrack available separately. Hopefully Elaine May, Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman will do commentary. Please release it in NTSC format soon.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Don't tell anyone, but I LOVE Ishtar, January 21, 1999
By A Customer
Ok, so MOST of my friends either refuse to watch the video with me or fall asleep ten minutes into it. A very few of my friends agree that this movie is so far beyond bad that it's terrific. I've seen Ishtar more times than I can remember, and every time I laugh. If you're a little quirky, and if you're willing to take the movie as a song and character showcase (forget the plot!), then you may have found a new favorite movie to torture your loved ones with.

I'm not kidding.

Imagine if you will Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty singing (badly) these super lines:

"I said come look there's a wardrobe of love in my eyes/ Come on in, take a look and see if there's something your size."

"Telling the truth is a dangerous business/ Honest and popular don't go hand in hand./ If you admit that you can play the accordion/ No one will hire you in a rock-n-roll band."

You live your life and I'll live mine, and mine will always include a copy of Ishtar.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The positive reviews are correct!
I agree with the other positive reviews. The storyline is no worse than most of the crap produced in the '80's, and the songs are HYSTERICAL! Read more
Published 25 days ago by J. Parmele

4.0 out of 5 stars How could I be so wrong? Did I miss something?
I laughed at this movie from start to finish...the songs were hilariously awful and some of the scenes (the vultures, the blind camel, Charles Grodin) were brilliant and new... Read more
Published 4 months ago by clutchhitter

4.0 out of 5 stars Why has this not gotten a US release on DVD yet? Don't they know it's a CULT CLASSIC?
I have loved this movie since I was a kid watching it on cable in the 80s. This movie flopped because of the bad press, not because it's a bad movie. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Miz James

3.0 out of 5 stars Yes, it IS on DVD, but...
You can buy it for less than ten bucks (including postage) on Amazon.co.uk, and it comes with optional subtitles in: Arabic, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French,... Read more
Published 17 months ago by A. J. Stavsky

5.0 out of 5 stars Who told you that? The Secretary of State?
I have seen this movie so many times that my VHS tape is falling apart. I desperately need a DVD of this wonderful film. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Catherine R. Donnelly

5.0 out of 5 stars Telling the Truth (about this movie) Can Be Dangerous Business
I don't care what anyone says about this movie---it is the best comedy ever created. Don't be a schmuck and miss out on it!
Published 21 months ago by Red Emma

4.0 out of 5 stars A very funny film.
I agree with the people who say "yes" to this film. Very enjoyable, funny performances all around.
Published 22 months ago by Filmfan

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Movie!
PLEASE produce in DVD! This is one of the best comedies of all times!
Published 22 months ago by Minagpa

5.0 out of 5 stars Destablize the entire Middle East!
I love Ishtar! It is one of the best movies ever made. I watch it every 6 months and laugh out loud each and every time. It is classic and funny and fabulous. Read more
Published 23 months ago by D. Terracino

4.0 out of 5 stars a funny movie
this movie is well acted and funny. it is unusual in that it casts the excellent actors against type, and this offends many viewers. i.e. Read more
Published 23 months ago by mathwonk

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


   


Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)



Look for Similar Items by Category


Up to 50% Off Hot Brands in Skin Care

Skin Care Sale
Get favorite name brands in skin care for face, body, and sun care, now up to 50% off at the skin care sale, only from Amazon Beauty.

Shop all skin care

 
Shop for Welding Torches and Oxyacetylene Torch Kits
Welding Torch and Oxyacetylene Torch KitsSelect a welding torch and oxyacetylene torch kit for tough construction, fabrication, repair, and other torch jobs.
 

Never Be Out of Touch

Shop inverters for your cell phone
Keep your cell phone charged as you travel. Find functional and durable inverters in the Home Improvement Store.

Shop for power inverters

 

A Clean Sweep

Shop for laminate flooring
For modern homeowners and active families, laminate flooring is a great choice, offering classic styles in the latest durable technology.

Shop for laminate flooring

 

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.



Where's My Stuff?

Shipping & Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.

Continue shopping: Top Sellers
Free
Free by Chris Anderson
Paranoia
Paranoia by Joseph Finder
My Soul to Lose
My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent
Glenn Beck's Common Sense

Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates