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Amazon.co.uk Review
Mel Brooks's 1981, three-part comedy--set in the Stone Age, the Roman Empire, and the French Revolution--is pure guilty pleasure. Narrated by Orson Welles and featuring a lot of famous faces in guest appearances (beyond the official cast), the film opens well with Sid Caesar playing a caveman, then moves along to the unlikely but somehow hilarious juxtaposition of Caesar's soldiers (the other Caesar, not Sid) with pot humour, and ends on a dumb-funny note in the French bloodbath. This is a take-it-or-leave-it movie, and it works best if you're in a take-it-or-leave-it mood. --Tom Keogh
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Mel Brooks is a genius at the old slapstick comedy and spoofs, and this just has to be one of his finest efforts. It is a hilarious look at famous events that have happened in history, we start with the cavemen right up to jewish people in space!
It is genuinely funny, with brilliant performances from Spike Milligan and of course Mel Brooks himself.
It is genuinely funny, with brilliant performances from Spike Milligan and of course Mel Brooks himself.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Starting at the dawn of mankind and ending with a raucous interpretation of the French Revolution, 'History of the World Part I' has all the hallmarks of a typical Mel Brooks film. Packed with deliciously bad puns (c.f. the names of the Romans), anarchic set pieces and plentiful double entendres, it's a thoroughly enjoyable history lesson. Unsurprisingly, Brooks revels in his capacity to offend: whether it be because of a wicked twist on the everyday 'taking the Lord's name in vain' utterance, or the song and dance Spanish Inquisition number (my personal favourite part of the film), it's clear strait-laced prudes aren't invited. More pity them.
Sometimes the bad puns are GENUINELY bad. And, inevitably, some historical periods work better than others. But this is one of Brooks' finest films, and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Young Frankenstein'. Compulsory viewing for anyone who likes their history sardonic, childish and very, very funny.
Sometimes the bad puns are GENUINELY bad. And, inevitably, some historical periods work better than others. But this is one of Brooks' finest films, and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Young Frankenstein'. Compulsory viewing for anyone who likes their history sardonic, childish and very, very funny.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Mel Brooks at his best, with classic humour which no-one should miss.
This film starts at the begining of man and runs through to the French revolution in such a way that shows an unrivelled paradoy which only Mel Brooks and his cast can pull off.
You should watch this film if only to find out how Mosses turned the 15 commandments to 10 and the truth behind the parting of the Red Sea.
All in all a cracking night in!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Still funny after all these years
I first watched this as a student in the 80's - SO pleased to discover that not only has it stood the test of time for me, but my 10 year old son loves it - nothing quite like a... Read more
Published 19 months ago by L. Noble
how to do-ouble entende
THIS WAS A REVISIT AND IT MADE ME CRINGE WATCHING IT WITH MY NOW APPROACHING 40(AGE) CHILDREN. IT IS ONE OF THE FUNNIEST FILMS I HAVE EVER WATCHED AND IS MEL BROOKS AT HIS BEST... Read more
Published 23 months ago by MARTIN
I loved it-Its Good to be the King
A dated historical frolic by a totally direspectful Mel Brookes, parody of the Hollywood historical movies with a narration by the great Orson Wells I loved every minute of it. Read more
Published on 3 May 2010 by David J. Delancie
i didn't find it funny except for one gag
i may have managed a few few smiles here and there throughout the
movie,but there was nothing about it would consider
funny.actually,scratch that. Read more
movie,but there was nothing about it would consider
funny.actually,scratch that. Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2010 by falcon
In Mel We Rejoice
Vintage Brooks par excellence. Our man from Rock Ridge deserves an Oscar purely for his self-deprecating humour, as subtle as a spear up the backside as it sometimes gets. Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2009 by Mr. Simon C. Lewis
Never gets old!
I grew up with this film. My nan had it, and we loved putting it on and watching when we went to hers. Read more
Published on 5 Jun 2009 by Dave and Lou Hills
Timeless classic
I had totally forgotten about this film until I saw a clip on TV, so time to check it out again. I have to say, although I had not seen it for about 15 years, I forgot how timeless... Read more
Published on 23 Oct 2008 by chuckles
Incredibly funny, daft, inspired comedy
This movie has a huge number of very funny moments. It's one of Mel Brooks' funniest films, and I laughed out loud during a great deal of this.
Published on 22 Sep 2008 by CJ
My Favorite Comedy Movie
I have watched this movie as a kid and up till today (30 yrs old) its the best comedy movie i have ever watched
Published on 28 Aug 2008 by MFARRAG
stoopid but great fun
This is not sophisticated comedy, but it takes real talent to make proper use of such terrible jokes - it's the way he tells 'em and give or take a very few gags so groanworthy... Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2007 by freewheeling frankie
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