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Silent Movie

Play trailer Poster for Silent Movie PG Released Jun 16, 1976 1h 26m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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79% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In this dialogue-free slapstick comedy, film director Mel Funn (Mel Brooks) travels to the ailing Big Picture Studios to pitch his comeback film: the first feature-length silent movie in many years. Desperate for a hit, the studio chief (Sid Caesar) gives Funn and his cronies, Eggs (Marty Feldman) and Bell (Dom DeLuise), the go-ahead -- but only if they can get big celebrities to act in it. Excited, Funn begins an adventure across the country in his effort to secure superstars for his film.
Silent Movie

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Critics Consensus

Stylistically audacious and infectiously nostalgic for the dawn of cinema, Silent Movie is another comedic triumph for Mel Brooks... now shush.

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Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Brooks has taken a considerably stylistic risk and pulled it off triumphantly. Rated: 4/4 Oct 23, 2004 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins It all goes on for too long – never losing steam because it struggled to gain it in the first place. Rated: 3/10 Jul 20, 2024 Full Review Steve Warren The Barb (Atlanta) Silent Movie proves that Hollywood can still make a picture that's funny from start to finish. Nuff said. May 9, 2023 Full Review David Dugas United Press International A marvelously silly, good-natured comedy. Aug 3, 2022 Full Review Chase Burns The Stranger (Seattle, WA) The real gag is the slew of Hollywood actors who get recruited to star in this thing as themselves... Feb 1, 2022 Full Review David A. Nardozzi Philadelphia Gay News Silent Movie has more ups than downs and is a guaranteed sidesplitting, lunatic look at movie studios and the behind-the-scenes personnel that help keep the reels rolling. May 26, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alec B One of Brooks' most underrated movies, as there are some truly inspired gags (the carousel scene in particular is wonderfully outrageous) and the meta commentary is still relevant. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/05/24 Full Review matthias s "Silent Movie" is a delightful three-star gem that brings back the uproarious charm of slapstick humor, transporting me back to the golden age of silent cinema. From start to finish, I found myself thoroughly entertained by the film's clever execution of the silent film style. Mel Brooks, a master of comedy, adds his classic touch to every scene, delivering laughs through perfectly timed gestures and expressions. The film's dedication to the silent film era is commendable, showcasing great talent, fun cameo's and wit that kept me in stitches throughout. With a nostalgic nod to the past and a contemporary twist, "Silent Movie" pays tribute to the art of non-verbal storytelling. If you're seeking a lighthearted and fun experience, this film is a must-watch, providing a timeless escape into the magical world of classic laughter and entertainment. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/11/23 Full Review Audience Member 7/10 ok, it is what it is, easily watched Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Mel Brooks plays a down and out director trying to make a comeback by convincing a studio executive that he can get major stars to sign for his new movie, which would be a silent. In fact, he gets major stars from 1976 such as Dom Deluise and Burt Reynolds to sign up, but Marcel Marceau responds with the movie's only spoken word "Non!" The actual movie is silent, with title cards. The movie has the silent movie cliches and slapstick, but it doesn't measure up to the cleverness or tension of the silents from the 1920's. Basically it's a series of gags, many of them tied to the 1970's and the movie is as dated as the Mod Squad. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review jon c Mel Brooks and the late Marty Feldman, and the late Dom DeLuise in another one of the classic spoof films of old In the tradition of 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Young Frankenstein' Brooks here tackles the silent movie era Old Hollywood was known for its black and white movies without sound relying on the actors' physicality and facial expressions There was a lot of slapstick comedy that dominated the genre before talkies were invented Brooks stars Mel Funn, an ex-director who's resorted to drinking He pitches a new idea to a major Hollywood studio; make an entire movie that's silent with the current generations biggest talents including Burt Reynolds, Bernadette Peters, Anne Bancroft, Liza Minnelli, James Caan, and Paul Newman But they have to contend with Engulf & Devour conglomerate wanting to buy out the studio and destroy their silent movie getting made Its a throwback to the classic silent films of yesterday with virtually no dialogue There's so many clever gags here from dance numbers to wheelchairs to elevators to soda machines and so forth This is one of Brooks' most energetic parodies with enough comedic bits to tickle the funny bone If you're looking for a spoof done right this is the film to check out Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member I LOVE Mel Brooks. He only directed I think eleven full-length movies, but there are several very good to brilliant classic films in that group. This is not one of them, imo. In no context I tried to think of the movie working in could I find this silly ass, cheese overkill cornball crap funny. I laughed a couple of times, but, ya know, blind squirrels and all. 2.3 stars Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this dialogue-free slapstick comedy, film director Mel Funn (Mel Brooks) travels to the ailing Big Picture Studios to pitch his comeback film: the first feature-length silent movie in many years. Desperate for a hit, the studio chief (Sid Caesar) gives Funn and his cronies, Eggs (Marty Feldman) and Bell (Dom DeLuise), the go-ahead -- but only if they can get big celebrities to act in it. Excited, Funn begins an adventure across the country in his effort to secure superstars for his film.
Director
Mel Brooks
Producer
Michael Hertzberg
Screenwriter
Ron Clark, Mel Brooks, Ron Clark, Rudy De Luca, Barry Levinson
Distributor
Key Video, 20th Century Fox
Production Co
Crossbow Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 16, 1976, Wide
Release Date (DVD)
Apr 4, 2006
Runtime
1h 26m
Sound Mix
Stereo