JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonHistory of the World Part 1 (1981)-Footage Included
November 28th 2006 01:42
History of the World Part 1
DVD Cover
Starring:Dom DeLuise, Madeline Khan, Cloris Leachmen, Gregory Hines, Sid Ceasar, Ron Carey
Narrator:Orson Welles
“It’s good to be The King” – King Louise XVI
Actor/Writer/Director Mel Brook’s was a pioneer of modern low brow, gross out comedy.
Containing a knowledgeable intelligence of his subject, History of the World Part 1 is crass, silly and ludicrous, just like history itself.
Charting the evolution of man, the attention grabbing voice of Orson Welles introduces the birth of the homosapien.
It is the dawn of a species, to the epic strains of Strauss we see the familiar 2001: A Space Odyssey nod but as the music ends we realize our forefathers are grunting, humping the air and vigorously choking-one-off. The scene concludes with a mass of mighty sexual climaxes.
That’s the first 3 minutes and gives you a good idea what your in for. From there we move through the caveman era discovering fire and music.
“And of course, with the birth of the artist came the inevitable afterbirth - the critic.” - Narrator
Next is the arrival of the Ten Commandments and Christianity. Mocking the senate of Ancient Rome, chastising its chastity and ridiculing military protocols.
“So, have you heard about these new guys, the "Christians"? They are so poor... that they only have ONE God!”- Comicus
Moving on to the Spanish Inquisition and finally poking fun at the elitist attitudes that fuelled the French Revolution.
“Don't get saucy with me, Béarnaise.” – Count De Monet
Narrator:Orson Welles
“It’s good to be The King” – King Louise XVI
Actor/Writer/Director Mel Brook’s was a pioneer of modern low brow, gross out comedy.
Containing a knowledgeable intelligence of his subject, History of the World Part 1 is crass, silly and ludicrous, just like history itself.
Charting the evolution of man, the attention grabbing voice of Orson Welles introduces the birth of the homosapien.
It is the dawn of a species, to the epic strains of Strauss we see the familiar 2001: A Space Odyssey nod but as the music ends we realize our forefathers are grunting, humping the air and vigorously choking-one-off. The scene concludes with a mass of mighty sexual climaxes.
That’s the first 3 minutes and gives you a good idea what your in for. From there we move through the caveman era discovering fire and music.
“And of course, with the birth of the artist came the inevitable afterbirth - the critic.” - Narrator
Next is the arrival of the Ten Commandments and Christianity. Mocking the senate of Ancient Rome, chastising its chastity and ridiculing military protocols.
“So, have you heard about these new guys, the "Christians"? They are so poor... that they only have ONE God!”- Comicus
Moving on to the Spanish Inquisition and finally poking fun at the elitist attitudes that fuelled the French Revolution.
“Don't get saucy with me, Béarnaise.” – Count De Monet
"I love my job, working at Guantanomo Bay"
John Doe says:
Young Frankenstein, The Twelve Chairs, The Producers, Silent Movie, Blazing Saddles and High Anxiety, Mel Brook’s comedy is the cinematic equivalent of an idiot savant.
Obvious humour is precisely paced and executed with ideal comedic timing, what appears simple and vacuous is beneath the surface a work of genius. History of the World Part 1 is considered his last gem.
Not as well aimed as some of his earlier classics, the script is a little hit and miss but when the laughs come they are hearty and for me anyway often uncontrollable. (“The Inquisition, what a show”)
The strength of the piece comes down to the exceptional cast of expert clowns.
Mel Brook’s regulars, Madeline Khan (Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, Clue, The Cheap Detective) doesn’t need dialogue to be uproariously funny. Her mannerisms, facial contortions and dancing eyes mean that when she does purr out her lines they are already funny before they hit your ears.
Dom DeLuise (The End, SpaceBalls, 12 Chairs, Cannonball Run) seems to be having so much fun on camera in the roll of Caesar that it’s infectious.
Harvey Korman (Blazing Saddles, High Anxiety) is his usual smarmy, brilliant self and like Madeline Khan doesn’t need to speak to illicit a smile.
Gregory Hines (White Nights, Cotton Club) is energetic and gets to show off some of his patented dancing skills.
Not to everyone’s taste, but no humour is, like most of the Directors classic films this one has had its jokes recycled so many times that seeing their birth is cleansing in itself.
I am constantly reading history books and watching documentaries, I obviously enjoy Mel Brooks early work, but I’m not generally a huge fan of this style of comedy. Those who drop by my blog often know I’m more of a witty repartee kind a guy. However, when tongue in cheek is done well like here, it can make for some very amusing entertainment. Make sure you watch the closing credits.
Obvious humour is precisely paced and executed with ideal comedic timing, what appears simple and vacuous is beneath the surface a work of genius. History of the World Part 1 is considered his last gem.
Not as well aimed as some of his earlier classics, the script is a little hit and miss but when the laughs come they are hearty and for me anyway often uncontrollable. (“The Inquisition, what a show”)
The strength of the piece comes down to the exceptional cast of expert clowns.
Mel Brook’s regulars, Madeline Khan (Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, Clue, The Cheap Detective) doesn’t need dialogue to be uproariously funny. Her mannerisms, facial contortions and dancing eyes mean that when she does purr out her lines they are already funny before they hit your ears.
Dom DeLuise (The End, SpaceBalls, 12 Chairs, Cannonball Run) seems to be having so much fun on camera in the roll of Caesar that it’s infectious.
Harvey Korman (Blazing Saddles, High Anxiety) is his usual smarmy, brilliant self and like Madeline Khan doesn’t need to speak to illicit a smile.
Gregory Hines (White Nights, Cotton Club) is energetic and gets to show off some of his patented dancing skills.
Not to everyone’s taste, but no humour is, like most of the Directors classic films this one has had its jokes recycled so many times that seeing their birth is cleansing in itself.
I am constantly reading history books and watching documentaries, I obviously enjoy Mel Brooks early work, but I’m not generally a huge fan of this style of comedy. Those who drop by my blog often know I’m more of a witty repartee kind a guy. However, when tongue in cheek is done well like here, it can make for some very amusing entertainment. Make sure you watch the closing credits.
The DVD:
A cinematic epic so big Mel Brook’s shot this one and only film in Anamorphic Widescreen and thankfully that’s the aspect ratio of the DVD. The 2.0 sound is adequate, as with most comedies it really doesn’t need a booming subwoofer to let you appreciate the jokes. No extras
For your amusement, below is the Spanish Inquisition, musical number from the film. Love those lyrics.
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Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
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Mel Brooks!
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
History Of the World Part 1 gets funnier the longer I live in a hypocritical world that would be hilarious except for all the needless bloodshed and war.
Even more amusing that we dont learn from teh lessons history teaches us.
Apolgize, thats all a little serious for a Mel Brook's comment.
Pull my finger and I will reenact the notorious Blazing Saddles campfire scene.