Silent Movie

PG

Released Jun 16, 1976

1h 26m

Comedy

List

82%

28 Reviews

Tomatometer

72%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

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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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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

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Mel Brooks

Director

Mel Brooks

Mel Funn

Marty Feldman

Marty Eggs

Dom DeLuise

Dom Bell

Bernadette Peters

Vilma Kaplan

Sid Caesar

Studio Chief

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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

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

Jacoba Atlas

Los Angeles Free Press

There are so many gags, so many hilarious moments, that halfway through the brisk ninety-minute film, the audience is tempted to cry uncle.

Oct 31, 2019

Full Review

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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
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