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Movies / On DVD / History of the World: Part 1
History of the World: Part 1

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History of the World: Part 1 (1981)

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Reviews Counted:23

Fresh:14

Rotten:9

Average Rating:5.6/10

Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: In this spoof of great moments in history from the dawn of humanity through the French Revolution, director Mel Brooks delivers a twisted history lesson through his signature satirical, madcap... In this spoof of great moments in history from the dawn of humanity through the French Revolution, director Mel Brooks delivers a twisted history lesson through his signature satirical, madcap humor. Funny, vulgar, and narrated by the great Orson Welles, HISTORY OF THE WORLD - PART I tells the progress of humankind as cave dweller, tap-dancing slave, and biblical hero. The most famous bit in the film features Moses coming down from Mount Sinai. Other highlights include a hilarious "Hitler on Ice" sequence and other outrageous comic situations, unbelievably silly jokes, and inspired casting (Sid Caesar, Gregory Hines, and Madeline Kahn included), with the film itself mimicking several historical Hollywood epics, most notably THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD and THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, as well as a brilliant parody of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. [More]

Starring: Mel Brooks, Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman

Starring: Mel Brooks, Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman, Sid Caesar, Dom DeLuise

Director: Mel Brooks

Director: Mel Brooks

[See More Credits]

Reviews for History of the World: Part 1

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Mel Brooks' The History of the World: Part I contains plenty of belly-shaking laughs.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
01/31/04
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

Brooks proved that increasing the vulgarity level doesn't necessarily translate into more laughs. Gag after gag falls flat in this potty-mouthed dud.

Full Review Source: FulvueDrive-in.com | comment Comment
04/11/06
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
FulvueDrive-in.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Netflix | comment Comment
11/07/02
James Rocchi
James Rocchi
Netflix
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
06/09/08
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Crude, rude Mel Brooks has low laughs

comment Comment
10/19/04
Steve Crum
Steve Crum
Kansas City Kansan

Occasional bright moments, but it's clear why there was no. part two.

comment Comment
11/24/03
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Disjointed Brooks effort that is only occasionally amusing

comment Comment
10/25/02
Jon Niccum
Jon Niccum
Lawrence Journal-World

Fifteen minutes of funny material trying desperately to fill a feature film.

comment Comment
10/15/02
Rob Vaux
Rob Vaux
Flipside Movie Emporium

The fact that there has been no Part 2 is ample proof that God hates us all.

comment Comment
06/21/05
Widgett Walls
Widgett Walls
Needcoffee.com

It succeeds only in fits and starts, but the bits that do work are hilarious!

comment Comment
07/26/02
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
eFilmCritic.com

No review available.

comment Comment
07/03/03
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central

No review available.

comment Comment
04/23/04
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

comment Comment
06/07/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
09/12/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
09/29/06
Eric Melin
Eric Melin
Scene-Stealers.com

No review available.

comment Comment
12/24/02
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

No review available.

comment Comment
09/22/02
Danny Minton
Danny Minton
KBTV-NBC (Beaumont, TX)

No review available.

comment Comment
03/06/03
Karina Montgomery
Karina Montgomery
Cinerina

No review available.

comment Comment
03/11/03
Mark Palermo
Mark Palermo
Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
 
 
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August 21, 2008: EW Lists 11 Movies with a Playboy Connection Opens in new window
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