The Producers

Name: The Producers
Genre: Comedy, Music
Released: March 18, 1968
Duration: 88 min
Rating: 96
Cast: Andréas Voutsinas, Christopher Hewett, Dick Shawn, Estelle Winwood, Gene Wilder

1968

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 6 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 64 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 64 Ratings

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The Producers

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Movie Details & Credits

AVCO Embassy Pictures | Release Date: March 18, 1968 | PG

Starring: Andréas Voutsinas, Christopher Hewett, Dick Shawn, Estelle Winwood, Gene Wilder, Kenneth Mars, Lee Meredith, Michael Davis, Renée Taylor, Zero Mostel

Summary: Down-on-his-luck theatrical producer Max Bialystock is forced to romance rich old ladies to finance his efforts. When timid accountant Leo Bloom reviews Max's accounting books, the two hit upon a way to make a fortune by producing a sure-fire flop. The play which is to be their gold mine? "Springtime for Hitler."

Director: Mel Brooks

Genre(s): Comedy, Music

Rating: PG

Runtime: 88 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Ty Burr

The one aspect of the original Producers that still stuns is the roaring, over-the-top, in-your-face thereness of its two lead performances. Read full review

100

Roger Ebert

This is one of the funniest movies ever made. To see it now is to understand that. To see it for the first time in 1968, when I did, was to witness audacity so liberating that not even "There's Something About Mary" rivals it. Read full review

100

New Times (L.A.) Andy Klein

Maniacally funny. It remains neck and neck with "Young Frankenstein" as Brooks' best film. Read full review

Michael Atkinson

However familiar, it delivers like a shorted slot machine. Read full review

John Bleasdale

The Producers is so effusively inappropriate and so damned funny it is one of the highest examples of low comedy. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not credited)

Mel Brooks's first and funniest, a spoof of Broadway theater that has earned a deservedly devoted cult following. Read full review

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User Reviews

Connor

Jan 2, 2006

This is most certainly a classic comedy from Mel Brooks. It's different than many of Brooks' later films since he doesn't "hit you over the head" with the jokes, but allows some shards of subtlety to creep into the dialogue. After seeing the Broadway show and the subsequent This is most certainly a classic comedy from Mel Brooks. It's different than many of Brooks' later films since he doesn't "hit you over the head" with the jokes, but allows some shards of subtlety to creep into the dialogue. After seeing the Broadway show and the subsequent movie musical, parts may seem a bit slow or toned down, but if you step back and watch it as a stand-alone film, you can see the absurdity (and genius) of the plotline. Zero Mostel is brilliant as the original Max Bialystock; over-the-top at times and terrifically understated at others. Gene Wilder certainly is the best Leo Bloom in my opinion, better than any on the stage or Matthew Broderick on the screen. This film is, simply put, hilarious and brilliant.… Expand

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liamexe

May 23, 2022

It's about your perspective on the world. A psychological reversal. A success tale in reverse. A film about desire and blunders. The cinematic masterpiece. A reason to appreciate cinema.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

CritiqueGirl

Mar 1, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Another great funny, funny movie. The Campbells soup can necklace was a scream. The gay elevator ride was hysterical. I watched it many times and always has me laughing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

talisencrw

Nov 29, 2014

A hilarious stab both at the worlds of theatre and accounting. A high watermark achieved by Mel Brooks, Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, in early work both for Mel and Gene. I haven't seen the remake yet, so I can't compare, but this version is a glorious hoot from start to finish!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

VinceRocks123

Jul 8, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A goofy madcap satire on Broadway, its very shocking that this film made Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder major favorites for the entertainment industry.

the best of all the Brooks satires, The Producers is one of the most best of its kind in terms of laugh-worthy and cringe-worthy humor as well as the Nazis.

A clever show-stealing inside look, behind the back doors of Broadway that centers on Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) a money thirsty down and out stage production manager who prostitutes himself to extremely old women, as a last resort to still get in the money making business. When Max's new accountant the nervously unstable Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder) points out that if he can acquire investors into producing a musical project that will totally bomb, the buyer will keep the extra money right off.

So thus Leo and Max embark on a provocative and controversially hilarious mission to get back in the limelight in the most awarkwardly whimsical scam ever devised yet, prepare to laugh harder as they decide to turn a long abandoned nazi propaganda play into Broadway's next biggest production ever in NY showbiz history! with hilarious moments such as Dick Shawn's memorable "Springtime for Hitler" stint and Ulla the Swedish Secretary doing her thing, a moving quirky black comedy classic, the film is a riot of madcap fun and entertainment for family only 15 and over, no children admitted.....

a film not to be missed, it will probably be named the best comedy ever made by your favorite celebrity!

"Don't be stupid, be a smarty. Come and join the Nazi party!"… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SlasherVoorhees

Aug 19, 2011

The Producers is one of the Best Comedies of All Time its a Comedy that Provides laughs the whole way through with great Comedic Performaces from Zero Mostel Dick Shawn and Gene Wilder it is a Movie that is one Clever Comedy

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

JohnC.

Nov 11, 2005

The blonde chick rules.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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