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It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

Play trailer Poster for It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World G Released Nov 7, 1963 2h 55m Comedy Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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68% Tomatometer 38 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
The story begins during a massive traffic jam, caused by reckless driver Smiler Grogan (Jimmy Durante), who, before kicking the bucket, cryptically tells the assembled drivers that he's buried a fortune in stolen loot, under the Big W. All of the motorists set out to find the fortune.
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It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

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Critics Consensus

It's long, frantic, and stuffed to the gills with comic actors and set pieces -- and that's exactly its charm.

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Critics Reviews

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Don Druker Chicago Reader Stanley Kramer strikes out again with this elephantine 1963 attempt at uproarious comedy. Nov 7, 2007 Full Review Variety Staff Variety The comic competition is so keen that it is impossible to single out any one participant as outstanding. Nov 7, 2007 Full Review Time Out Kramer's 'comedy to end all comedy' stretches its material to snapping point but offers happy hours of star-spotting. Feb 9, 2006 Full Review Penelope Gilliatt Observer (UK) This is a grim new variant of the old knockabout form, a comedy that deliberately brutalises every convention that makes people laugh. What it be comes, not surprisingly, is a comedy hat makes people feel battered and bleak. Mar 6, 2024 Full Review Judith Crist New York Herald Tribune It's a comic's field day. We haven't seen such a salute to the gift of lunacy for decades. Aug 8, 2022 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Despite the spectacular nature of the stunts in the first half, by the time the intermission and entr'acte come around, the visuals get even more complexly outrageous. Rated: 8/10 Aug 24, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert L It is one of my all time favorite movies. Definitely my favorite comedy. Great group of actors and non-stop action. I saw it for the first time with my Dad when it came out in 1963. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/15/24 Full Review Honnest Jonn The original comedy epic, containing the ultimate all-star cast of comedy legends! Non-stop laughs, historic locations all around Southern California, and some heart stopping stunts and car chases! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/17/23 Full Review BKK F Funniest movie I ever saw. So many movie stars from the past. They don't make em like this anymore. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/07/24 Full Review Emmett H The shelf life of a comedy film is notoriously shorter than that of any other genre. Imagine a fellow getting a cream pie in the face: it just isn't funny any more. Nor are people with speech impediments, bulging eyes, and ridiculous affectations. This film is a paean to slapstick entertainment, and I recall how well this film was received back in the mid-Sixties. But this is 60 years on, and truly funny movies are few and very far between. This one misses the mark. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/28/24 Full Review Antanas T Why can't this movie be legally bought? 😢😡 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/13/23 Full Review Joel H It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is such an ambitious comedy. To think that the filmmakers were able to gather so many famous comedians from the past and (then) present, coordinate multiple stunt scenes, and try to write a story that would keep people engaged for over 160 minutes is incredible. And what's even more incredible is that it works. Yes, it has more impact if you know who all these comedic actors are, but even if you don't, it still is able to make you laugh and keep you amused as the chaos ensues. It may start out at a slow roll, but It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is a wild ride by the end. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/03/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

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Movie Info

Synopsis The story begins during a massive traffic jam, caused by reckless driver Smiler Grogan (Jimmy Durante), who, before kicking the bucket, cryptically tells the assembled drivers that he's buried a fortune in stolen loot, under the Big W. All of the motorists set out to find the fortune.
Director
Stanley Kramer
Producer
Stanley Kramer
Screenwriter
Tania Rose, William Rose
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
United Artists, Casey Productions
Rating
G
Genre
Comedy, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 7, 1963, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 19, 2016
Runtime
2h 55m
Aspect Ratio
Cinerama (2.59:1), Scope (2.35:1)
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