The Producers

Released Mar 18, 1968

1h 28m

Comedy

List

91%

Tomatometer

75 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Down and out producer Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel), who was once the toast of Broadway, trades sexual favors with old ladies for cash contributions. Max's new accountant Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder), offhandedly muses that if Max found investors for a new production that turned into a flop, he could legally keep all the extra money. The duo begins to put together the worst play possible, titled "Springtime for Hitler", with a terrible director and a hippie-freak star.

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Critics Consensus

A hilarious satire of the business side of Hollywood, The Producers is one of Mel Brooks' finest, as well as funniest films, featuring standout performances by Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Each time I've watched it - and I've watched it many times - Mel Brooks' The Producers has felt horribly pertinent to the present moment.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 1, 2018

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TIME Magazine

The Producers has many things going for it -- notably a wild, ad-lib energy that explodes in a series of sight gags and punch lines.

Aug 12, 2008

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Variety Staff

Variety

Mel Brooks has turned a funny idea into a slapstick film, thanks to the performers, particularly Zero Mostel.

Aug 12, 2008

Full Review

John Ferguson

Radio Times

While the gags flow freely throughout, it's the jaw-dropping numbers from Springtime for Hitler that cement the film's place in cinema history.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 30, 2024

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Tim Dirks

Filmsite

Writer/director Mel Brooks' debut film and most popular farce was a zany, often brilliant spoof comedy about Broadway productions (and their producers) and the Nazis that many considered shoddy and in very bad taste. The subversive and irreverent film

Rated: A+

Oct 12, 2022

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

You can’t say enough about the comic chemistry between Mostel and Wilder.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 24, 2022

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Dani G

Pffffttt! Definitely... humor is not the same 60 years later

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/25/24

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john w

Mel Brooks was a kind hearted gentle person , that's a rarity in itself, but he was also an incredibly good actor

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/19/24

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matthias s

"The Producers" is a zany musical-comedy film that follows two Broadway producers attempting to stage a flop to scam investors. However, their plan takes an unexpected turn when their show, "Springtime for Hitler," becomes an unintentional hit. The movie is a riotous ride, filled with laughter, catchy tunes, and energetic choreography. The dynamic duo of leads delivers standout performances, complemented by a talented ensemble cast. Although pacing issues and a lack of consistent impact slightly hamper the overall experience, "The Producers" remains a classic that brings joy and nostalgia, making it a delightful showstopper for those seeking a dose of Broadway magic on the big screen.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/11/23

Full Review

Alec B

It's a great concept aided by the hilarious performances of Wilder and Mostel. Perhaps one of the first films to point out that New York is almost entirely populated by insane people.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

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Rami A

One of Mel Brooks' funniest and finest pictures.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the funniest movies ever made.The Dick Shawn segment could be the funniest thing ever filmed.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

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Mel Brooks

Director

Zero Mostel

Max Bialystock

Gene Wilder

Leo Bloom

Dick Shawn

Lorenzo St. DuBois

Kenneth Mars

Franz Liebkind

Estelle Winwood

"Hold Me, Touch Me" Old Lady

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Synopsis

Down and out producer Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel), who was once the toast of Broadway, trades sexual favors with old ladies for cash contributions. Max's new accountant Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder), offhandedly muses that if Max found investors for a new production that turned into a flop, he could legally keep all the extra money. The duo begins to put together the worst play possible, titled "Springtime for Hitler", with a terrible director and a hippie-freak star.

Director: Mel Brooks
Producer: Sidney Glazier
Screenwriter: Mel Brooks
Production Co: Crossbow Productions, AVCO Embassy Pictures
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 18, 1968, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 7, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $111.9K
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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