Product description

It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World [1963]

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Average customer rating: 5.0

Binding : DVD
EAN : 5050070007725
Label : MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer : MGM Entertainment
Publisher : MGM Entertainment
Release date : 2002-03-11
Title : It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World [1963]
Actor : Array
Audience rating : Universal, suitable for all
Format : PAL
Languages : Array
Number of items : 1
Original release date : 1963-12-02
Region code : 2
Running time : 148
Studio : MGM Entertainment
Theatrical releaseDate : 1963-11-07
Number of discs : 1

Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Stanley Kramer's 1963 It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World is a sprawling comedy about a search for buried treasure by at least a dozen people--all played by well-known entertainers of their day--is the kind of mass comedy that has recently come back to the for-front of Hollywood with the film Rat Race. After a number of strangers (including Milton Berle, Jonathan Winters, Sid Caesar, Phil Silvers and others) witness a dying stranger (Jimmy Durante) identify the location of hidden money, a conflict-ridden hunt begins, watched over carefully by a suspicious cop (Spencer Tracy). The ensuing two and a half hours of mayhem has its ups and downs--some sketches and performers are certainly funnier than others. But Kramer, who is better known for socially conscious, serious cinema (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?), is in a mood for broad comic characterization, and some of his jokes are so intentionally obvious (Durante literally kicks a bucket when he dies), they could have derived from the Airplane! reject bin. Watch for lots of cameo appearances, including Jerry Lewis. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com

Customer reviews

review by: pmphinehas date: 2008-10-24 rating:

More than a film
Yes, this is a great comedy movie with endless gags played with immeasurable talent by the finest comedy actors of the time. It zips along merrily, almost exhaustingly at first but sags a little bit in the second half. Don't worry, it comes to life again. I was only a kid when I saw this at the movies and it left me worn out from laughing and has stuck with me ever since; I always have to have a copy handy for a boost.
But, even as a child, I knew this movie had done something else, it had captured a zeitgeist (I didn't know that word then). You are looking at Southern California before all the grey arrived. Much of the desert scenery in the movie is now tract housing, the cars are now bland and the people are out shopping.
How could you gather such an eclectic cast today? Even Rat Race -which is an homage well worth watching- doesn't manage such a broad church of talent.
The humour in this movie has no poisoned barbs, it's not making any points other than laughing at human greed -which is universal- and the obvious ironies and idiosyncrasies of the American Way. In many respects, it is a better film than it set out to be but for different reasons than Kramer wanted -or did he?
Whatever, it's a true classic and only a bonehead won't laugh at it. Enjoy too, peering into the background of each shot and see a world that we'll never see again.
Your DVD collection needs this (shortened version) movie in it.

review by: mwest653 date: 2005-08-14 rating:

its a great film to all
its a mad mad mad mad world is the funniest film ever made. its very funny and i have even made my own top trumps(card game) of it. i love it and im only 12 and so does my dad who is 44.

from sam west

review by: blinkchester date: 2005-05-01 rating:

Madcap adventure
This madcap adventure race/road story is a refreshing emalgamation of some of the best comic talent from the time. Boating a brilliant cast of people throughout major and minor roles, this film has you in stitches from start to finish.

When the dying thief kicks the bucket, literally and physically, it sparks off a group of people racing around the countryside in order to find the money he told them he had left behind. Cue lots of others joining in along the way, and plenty of humourous obstacles in their way.

Most definitely one for everyone

review by: date: 2004-07-06 rating:

Timeless Comedy Classic
It's A Mad...World is one of the finest comedies evr and an all time classic. I rmemeber seeing this for the first as young boy when shown on TV. I loved it then and continue to love it whenever I put it on, which is very regularly.

The basic plot revolves around a car accident, where the driver, Jimmy Durante, tells a group of fellow drivers who se him crash and go to his aid about hundres and thousands of dollars in cash buried under a 'Big W' in a park in California hundreds of miles away.

Mayhenm ensues as all the rescuers race for the cash using any form of transport they can can beg, steal or borrow.

The script is sharp, with several sub-plots keping the action moving right to the climax of the movie when all the cast come together at the park under the 'BIG W' where the treasure is supposdly buried.

The cast is superb, with some very well known stars of the time on show, includong Phil Silvers, who basically plays the role of Bilko (another great classic comedy), a sharp, fast talking opportunist. Milton Berle (Mr TV in America), a hen pecked husband supported by Ethel Merman as a loud brash mother in-law. Other stars include Mickey Rooney, Jonathon Winters, Sid Ceasar and terry Thomas playing a very typical English gentleman, a role he often played to great effect.

There are seveal cameo appearances by very well known actors, Buster Keaton, Jerry Lewis to name two.

One of the starring roles goes to Spencer Tracey in one of his last roles as a totally despondent Police Chief about to retire after 40 years service with a measly pension, who sees the opportunity to set himself and his wife up for retirement by taking the buried treasure from the motley crew after they discover it sating he is going to hand it in.

Obviaously this doesn't go down well and once the rescuers work out that they have been tricked, a chase and more mayhem ensues.

Who ends up with the money...Buy the film and find out. You won't be dissapointed.

review by: date: 2004-07-03 rating:
The Funniest Movie Ever Made
This is the best there is. Brilliant performances across the board by real comedy greats - sometimes they don't even need to use words, body language and expressions do it all. Superbly shot, fantastic stunts, a good story. Buy it now and see the masters at work. Avid Merrion? Do me a favour!!

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