IMDb >
To Be or Not to Be (1983)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsTo Be or Not to Be (1983) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 18 | slideshow) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
1 February 1984 (France) moreTagline:
That is the movie!Plot:
A bad Polish actor is just trying to make a living when what should intrude but World War II in the form of an invasion... more | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Actress Anne Bancroft Dies at 73 (From IMDb News. 8 June 2005)
Actress Anne Bancroft Dies at 73
(From IMDb News. 7 June 2005)
User Comments:
Definitely meant "to Be"... moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Mel Brooks | ... | Dr. Frederick Bronski | |
| Anne Bancroft | ... | Anna Bronski | |
| Tim Matheson | ... | Lt. Andre Sobinski | |
| Charles Durning | ... | Col. Erhardt | |
| Christopher Lloyd | ... | Capt. Schultz | |
| José Ferrer | ... | Prof. Siletski | |
| Ronny Graham | ... | Sondheim | |
| Estelle Reiner | ... | Gruba | |
| Zale Kessler | ... | Bieler | |
| Jack Riley | ... | Dobish | |
| Lewis J. Stadlen | ... | Lupinsky | |
| George Gaynes | ... | Ravitch | |
| George Wyner | ... | Ratkowski | |
| James 'Gypsy' Haake | ... | Sasha (as James Haake) | |
| Earl Boen | ... | Dr. Boyarski |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
107 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:L | Brazil:Livre | Finland:S | Spain:7 | Sweden:11 | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | UK:PG | Argentina:Atp | Singapore:PGFilming Locations:
Mayfield Senior School - 500 Bellefontaine Street, Pasadena, California, USAFun Stuff
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: Anne Bancroft's character's name is Anna Bronski. However, it should be Anna Bronska because it is an adjectival surname and all adjectives in Polish have masculine and feminine forms. The endings -i and -y are masculine, the feminine equivalents of adjectival surnames end in -a. moreQuotes:
Lieutenant Andre Sobinski: I loved that picture of you on the farm. You behind the plow. By the way, where was that?Anna Bronski: In the "Chronicle".
Lieutenant Andre Sobinski: No, I mean where's the farm?
Anna Bronski: Oh, the farm. The farm. Well, that's out of town somewhere... You know, that's where they keep them.
more
Soundtrack:
Sweet Georgia Brown moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for To Be or Not to Be (1983) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| To Be or Not to Be | Hart's War | Stalag 17 | Dangerous Moonlight | The Dirty Dozen |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |












I haven't seen the Ernst Lubitsch original of this gem but if I had, I might have been prejudiced in my decision of this being one of the finer films that Mel Brooks has been in.
Though not written by or directed by Mel, he and wife Anne Bancroft take center stage as Frederick and Anna Bronski, Poland's most famous acting family. When the Nazi war machine overtakes Warsaw, they and their acting troupe use every actor's trick in the book to escape and make their way to England.
All this, of course, while Anna becomes smitten with an American pilot (Matheson) who helps them both to freedom. In the meantime, there are threats from a devious doctor (Ferrer), a lecherous Nazi colonel (Durning) and a command for the troupe to perform for the Nazi Army with Hitler in the audience.
There are so many classic moments here that to list them would be a dis-service to the movie. Let me just say that I enjoyed this whole film from opening to closing and even the closing had some doozies.
The Nazis are seen as complete buffoons and the exchanges between Durning and his head officer (Lloyd) are classic. In fact, I can see why Durning was nominated for an Oscar for his role here; not just anyone could have pulled it off as well as he.
Everyone here has a good scene or two, including Mel's regulars (Graham, Wyner, Riley) and the dialogue even manages to get the proper sentiment and tension out of the proper scenes. A great effort by all involved.
Purists of the Jack Benny original may disagree, but this "To Be or Not to Be" is the "to Be" for me!
Ten stars. Mazeltov!