The Producers Special Edition [1968] [1967]

Customer Reviews:

very funny.......2008-01-18

No film ever has devided opinion like this. Some say it is brilliant and others says it is rubbish, very strange rubbish at that. Barry Norman rated this as one of the funniest films of all time, and I tend to side with his opinion on this.

Failed producer (Zero Mostelo) and his accountant (Gene Wilder) dream up a scheme to make a fortune. This involves finding a sure fire flop play and putting it on Broadway, and then selling 800% shares in it. They think they have struck gold when they dig out 'Spring Time For Hitler' and persuade the Nazi author to put the play on broadway infront of a mainly jewish audience. In the meantime they employ the worst director in the business, and a dope ridden lead actor who can not remember anything. Surely nothing can go right !! The Nazi author will assist their back up plan, just in case it does. In order to finance this big idea, Zero Mostell starts up an escourt agaency, for the over 70s.

There are several hysterically funny moments, the interviews for a singing and dancing Hitler, their first meeting with the director to be and his secretary, the Nazi author, and the faces of the audience on opening night.

Give it a try and see what you think.

none finer.......2007-03-20

The Producers is without a doubt a classic of 20th century cinema. It is born out of that moment of magic when forces come together to produce genius. Zero Mostel was probably the only person who could have brought the character of Max Bialystock to life and obviously reveled in the role. Gene wilder shows us here the comedy timing that made him a popular favourite through the seventies up to today and Mel Brookes who is a comedy god has only ever matched this quality once and that was with Blazing Saddles. I first saw this movie in 1979 when I was 11 and couldn't believe how much it made me laugh. I had no idea who Mostel, Wilder and Brookes were but I fell in love with it and have destroyed my VHS version through constant playing over the years. It still seems fresh and is a delight that can always bring a smile to my face. Try the Producers, you wont regret it.

Couldn't bear to watch it.......2006-01-05

Perhaps it is the 1960s humour, perhaps it is Mel Brooks, but I couldn't bear to watch this past the first 10 minutes. Glad I only had it on rental so just wasted £1.99.

Ullaý "Go to work".......2005-08-17

The original title "Springtime for Hitler."

Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder) an independent accountant is discussing Max Bialystock's (Zero Mostel), a play right, finances from his last play. They come to the realization that if you produce a flop you don't have to pay back the money you collect. This holds true even if you sell more than 100% interest in the play. So they plan just that for the next play. First they must get money so Max launches himself into "Little old lady land". Estelle Winwood gets to play "Hold me, Touch me." To assure the play is a flop they find one called "Springtime For Hitler"; the find players to match such as Lorenzo Saint DuBois [L.S.D.] (Dick Shawn.)." In the mean time Max using the excess money picks up an assistant that can only speak Swedish. That is Lee Meredith as Ulla.

Not the Original Film.......2004-12-29

I first saw 'The Producers' on BBC2's 'Midnight Movie' slot one Saturday night/Sunday morning during the early 1970's. Alongside 'It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World' 'The Producers' is my favourite all-time comedy film. What is more, I can still remember Peter Sellers' memorable re-enactment of Kenneth Mars' monologue on the Parkinson Show on why Hitler was a better painter than Churchill.

However, I was hoping that this newly released DVD might contain the cut scene that was missing from the VHS release that I own. So, I was bitterly dissappointed that it's still missing on the DVD. Why?

On the DVD, when an attempt is made to blow-up the theatre, our three luckless 'heroes' chase after a fast burning fuse - but too late, the theatre is gone. In the original film, however, the fast burning fuse is stopped before it's too late. They try again. This time they hook-up the fuse to a plunger-type detonator. They sink the plunger, but the explosive fails.

While all three go to see what's happened. The drunken 'failure' character that previously had shared in Max and Leo's ill fated celebrations in the threatre bar happens upon the plunger detonator. Finding that his shoe laces are undone, he places his foot on the detonator to tie-up his shoes - and - BOOM!

An extra couple of minute's worth of footage surely wouldn't have taken-up too much space on the DVD? After all, it's only an hour-and-a-half long as it is!

Otherwise, a useful addition to my 'Producers' library. Perhaps the 'Director's Cut' edition (in my dreams) will have the missing scene added.

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