In today's politically correct society it makes a refreshing change to watch again a film so brim full of scathing satire, so deliberately and outrageously offensive - and so side splittingly funny - as this. Whenever I watch it, it never ceases to amaze me.
By now you'll know the plot - pair of dodgy theatrical producers plan scam to raise lots of money for a play so bad that it will immediately fail, upon which the producers keep the cash. But things go disastrously wrong...
And the reason they go wrong is that a musical so offensive as 'Springtime for Hitler' with jackbooted, goose-stepping chorus girls and lines like 'Don't be stupid, be a smarty. Come and join the Nazi party' is so outrageous and yet as funny today as it was for the audience within the film. This is a film that pokes fun at so very many segments of society, at so many socially unacceptable practices, and even at today's 'politically correct' attitudes - although the film was made almost 50 years ago.
Written and directed by Mel Brooks, it won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Watch this for the first time and feel your jaw drop. Watch it again and rejoice in this satirical masterpiece. Superb stuff - 5/5 stars.
If you're the sort of person who think dire modern Hollywood comedies with swearing and bodily function obsessions are funny, you probably won't like this.
If, however, you enjoy sharp satire and are bright enough to notice intelligent irony, then you'll love this film. The humour is Jewish, and also pitch dark for those who get the references. No wonder it was successfully revived recently.
True, it is a bit dated in patches - and those easily offended by dolly bird gags should probably cover their eyes.
But really, this is one of the best musical movies ever made - a classic. Mel Brooks at the top of his form.
Five stars.
Hysterical nonsense.
A great deal of noise and shouting which would appeal perhaps to a five year old mongoose with hearing problems. Grown up adults should be offended by this movie.