Mel Brook is a madcap personality who, by and large, is a comedic genius. He has given us so many superior, now classic comedies that it all seems quite unreal. However, in 1983, he re-made the iconic TB BE OR NOT TO BE, a film by Ernst Lubitsch with the stellar cast of YES, Jack Benny and the irresistible CAROLE LOBBARD who died on a mission to sell War Bonds in the early part of WWII. It was a plane crash. I must say, it must have taken one hell of a nerve on Mel's part to remake this Nazi based farce.
The 1983 version stars Mel himself and his wife, the divine, late ANNE BANCROFT. The film can't be faulted with major screw ups and moves in fairly fine form to the inevitable mastermind of a plot. THE PROBLEM IS that BENNY and LOMBARD own these roles so intrinsically that even the genius Mel and wife Anne, both Oscar Winners don't truly connect with me as I would have wanted. Those who have NOT seen the original of almost 65 years ago will assuredly enjoy the film. I COULD NOT as Benny and Lombard plus the wit of Lubitsch constantly stood in the way and became a real dilemma. 5 is unfair! However, it is how I see the film!
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