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To Be or Not to Be
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To Be or Not to Be

1942
Comedy
Drama
1h 39m
In occupied Poland during WWII, a troupe of ham stage actors (led by Joseph Tura and his wife Maria) match wits with the Nazis... (imdb)
Directed by:
Ernst Lubitsch Ernst Lubitsch
Written by:
Ernst Lubitsch Ernst Lubitsch Melchior Lengyel Edwin Justus Mayer
+2 more
Starring:
Robert Stack Robert Stack Jack Benny Jack Benny Carole Lombard Carole Lombard Lionel Atwill Lionel Atwill Henry Victor Felix Bressart Felix Bressart Stanley Ridges Stanley Ridges Sig Ruman Sig Ruman Maude Eburne Charles Halton Charles Halton George Lynn Thomas J. Dugan
More
Genres:
Comedy, Drama, War
Country:
USA
Languages:
English, French, German
imdb More information at IMDb
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To Be or Not to Be

1942
Comedy
Drama
1h 39m
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Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 76.26% from 1200 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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timecapsuleTimeCapsule
Rated 12 May 2019
87
91st
"The movie during which I decided to give what I have to those fabulous people in the dark, was "To Be Or Not To Be" by Ernst Lubitsch, starring Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. If you want to blame somebody for Troma, go to their graves and urinate on them." - Lloyd Kaufman, President of Troma Entertainment
Rated 12 May 2019
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 19 Jul 2011
96
96th
I'm generally enamored by any movie that plays a suicide for comedy and gets away with it. And that pretty much sums up Lubitsch's treatment of Nazis: what it lacks in tact it more than makes up for in grace. The writing is damn near perfect.
Rated 19 Jul 2011
gordonbombayGordonBombay
Rated 31 Jul 2010
90
89th
Considering the international climate in 1942, considering that the the male lead is the Jewish actor Jack Benny and considering that Lubitsch himself was german, this is probably one of the boldest comedies I have ever seen. But besides all of that, this is one of the funniest and smartest movies I have seen in a very long time. A true comedic classic!
Rated 31 Jul 2010
susie_mauvesusie-mauve
Rated 25 Mar 2013
88
75th
Real witty humor, most of it dialogue-based. Also, the acting is really good, but one can easily notice a few plot holes. Still, who cares about a few plot holes when they're laughing or at least grinning constantly?
Rated 25 Mar 2013
seethruskinSeethruskin
Rated 19 May 2020
5
81st
The most Wes Anderson Lubitsch film for sure.
Rated 19 May 2020
hotsakehotsake
Rated 22 Apr 2019
80
92nd
A fun fast paced spy thriller that manages to be both satire and thrilling at the same time. Great performances and a fast pace that kept things moving. Much better than the '83 version.
Rated 22 Apr 2019
seanberndorffSeanBerndorff
Rated 12 Jan 2011
92
94th
Inglorious Basterds owes this movie big time.
Rated 12 Jan 2011
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 03 Jul 2014
3
45th
Ballsy, graceful, written with wit and sophistication. I just wish it leaned less into elements of spy thriller, because in moments of suspense it loses momentum.
Rated 03 Jul 2014
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
35th
Somewhat regrettable in hindsight, but I won't fault it too much for that. This has got some great skewering of the Nazis, and some complex and rewarding situation comedy. Loses momentum occasionally when it loses sight of the humor.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 16 Mar 2008
83
91st
SCHULTZ!
Rated 16 Mar 2008
sentry04Sentry04
Rated 09 Aug 2008
65
38th
It was almost a drama that they tried to make a comedy. I don't think it worked too well. The movie was ok.
Rated 09 Aug 2008
cosmicmonkeyCosmicMonkey
Rated 14 May 2017
88
91st
The first great WWII movie, daringly released only a couple of months after the USA's entrance to the war. Lubitsch takes his usual gift of comedic timing and merges it with a tale of espionage to create a surprisingly suspenseful and funny wartime spy film. As a satire of Nazis that takes place in occupied Poland comparisons will inevitably be made to The Great Dictator, but this is by far the better film, with funnier comedy, more effective and biting satire and a more engaging story.
Rated 14 May 2017
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 30 Dec 2011
72
41st
This movie has an unusual distinction of being far better than the remake that Mel Brooks did and STILL is something boring and easily ignored. There was a moment or two at which I felt it was worth my attention, but those were fleeting at best.
Rated 30 Dec 2011
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 29 Dec 2014
96
96th
Daring at the time, and still effective. It ends less well than it begins, but Lombard and Benny come off as lovable narcissists (no mean feat in itself), and the supporting cast members--particularly Ruman and Bressart--are superb (and let's not forget Tom Dugan's impersonation of Hitler!) The writing is an excellent combination of low laughs and high wit, but the real strength here is the direction: always a light touch, but never straying far from the serious intention beneath.
Rated 29 Dec 2014
stainStain
Rated 02 May 2007
0
8th
Highly, seriously, painfully not funny
Rated 02 May 2007
seryxaSeryxa
Rated 04 Dec 2009
100
93rd
Marvellous free-wheeling entertainment which starts as drama and descends through romantic comedy and suspense into farce; accused of bad taste at the time, but now seen as an outstanding example of Hollywood moonshine, kept alight through sheer talent and expertise.
Rated 04 Dec 2009
dougiedDougieD
Rated 21 Nov 2013
95
91st
Works both as a hilarious political satire and as a lighthearted adventure story. Plays with reality in a way that could seem perfectly logical despite far-fetched scenarios that have actors fooling nazis.
Rated 21 Nov 2013
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 21 Apr 2012
9
93rd
Holds up really well. The jokes from this era can sometimes be super dated but they still work today in 2012. Jack Benny is great in the lead, giving a really funny and endearing performance. Well written and has some serious balls, attacking Hitler when he was at his most powerful. "Heil myself." Truly a classic.
Rated 21 Apr 2012
deaddillydeaddilly
Rated 08 Oct 2020
85
84th
first as tragedy, then as farce, then as tragedy, and so on.
Rated 08 Oct 2020
psimpsim
Rated 14 Jun 2021
84
90th
It's crazy to think that this was made in the middle of WWII. A hilarious farce that deftly mixes a silly story with some very serious elements.
Rated 14 Jun 2021
egbertsouseEgbertSouse
Rated 16 Dec 2008
95
89th
Heil myself.
Rated 16 Dec 2008
icarusIcarus
Rated 02 Aug 2008
98
98th
Magnificent. The tone is near perfect throughout, deftly alternating between the screwball elements and the dark underside of the surrounding context.
Rated 02 Aug 2008
punqPUNQ
Rated 19 Nov 2018
90
99th
I only have two things to say related to this essential war era Lubitsch. 1) Such sublime satire! 2) RIP Carole Lombard. For anything else, read the millions of other reviews which does the legacy of To Be or Not to Be (1942) justice.
Rated 19 Nov 2018
bofbof
Rated 07 May 2023
93
99th
"He's just a man with a little moustache." "So is Hitler." It's a 1942 movie that somehow has more to say about the cult of totalitarianism than 100 grimdark WW2 dramas. The way the nazis are *both* deeply silly and stone-cold killers. The way the truest moment in the film is a German-Jewish actor playing a bad Polish actor finally delivering the Shakespeare monologue that's been a joke for the entire film. There's blood on the pages here, even if they didn't yet know how much.
Rated 07 May 2023
cinematicespCinematicESP
Rated 16 Jul 2011
96
97th
Lubitsch somehow finds a tone that perfectly balances comedy and gripping tension as you wonder how the characters will get out of predicament after predicament. Downright hilarious.
Rated 16 Jul 2011
kyriei2kyriei2
Rated 03 Jun 2020
95
97th
Komedi düzeyi ve politik bakış açısının bu kadar dengeli olduÄŸu bir film izlememiÅŸ olabilirim, son zamanlarda bir filmde bu kadar gülmemiÅŸtim. BAYILDIM. "So they call me Concentration Camp Ehrhardtâ€
Rated 03 Jun 2020
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 06 Nov 2015
7
67th
It kind of goes without saying, but the Nazis were born to be made fun of. "Heil myself."
Rated 06 Nov 2015
nobambanobamba
Rated 15 Apr 2019
30
15th
I wasn't paying enough attention so I missed most of the humor and plot points. It didn't help that some characters looked alike. Overall, it just didn't grab my interest enough to warrant a rewatch. I like history and I like comedy but this didn't do it for me, versus The Great Dictator which I loved. Fav scene: going outside as Hitler and being recognized as the actor.
Rated 15 Apr 2019
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 16 Jan 2023
77
53rd
Amusing farce is of course elevated further once you consider the historical context in which it was filmed, and its daring satirical jabs at Hitler and the Nazis while they were still in peak flourish (“Heil Myself†is a killer line here). On its own terms, it’s a pleasant if unremarkable wartime comedy, with some great moments of comedy but equal moments of clunky, even dull transitions between it’s set pieces (and a ridiculous final scene which threatens to undermine the whole thing).
Rated 16 Jan 2023
alwertyalwerty
Rated 13 Mar 2024
95
96th
Amazing jokes, amazing shots and amazing pace. It doesn't feel like a 40' movie (in a good way)
Rated 13 Mar 2024
sebbysebby
Rated 11 Oct 2011
20
2nd
Not funny or clever or entertaining in any way. Completely silly and tedious.
Rated 11 Oct 2011
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 07 Jul 2012
100
98th
Just feel like this one's worth a perfect score. I mean, this is a marvelously constructed comedy, a funny film that was also a daring and significant satire. Can you imagine if comedies with such relevance were made today? I think Jack Benny is superb in this movie, one of the best comedic performances ever. Carole Lombard is great too and I have to mention character actor Sig Ruman, who is great at playing a foolish Nazi.
Rated 07 Jul 2012
petrostserPetrosTser
Rated 20 Dec 2022
60
44th
Its biggest detriment is that it needs time to get going. It starts off as basic farce, segues into basic war drama, and eventually manages to find its footing in the final act, wherein Lubitsch displays his knack for gripping misunderstandings and outrageous predicaments. Crucially, the humour is a mixed bag: hilarious moments are present but not as often as one would like; similarly, the ideological bite is there but lacks in terms of poignancy as evidenced for example by the frivolous finale.
Rated 20 Dec 2022
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 01 Mar 2008
95
92nd
# 94
Rated 01 Mar 2008
yesnidyesnid
Rated 30 Nov 2007
85
92nd
Jack Benny is awesome in this
Rated 30 Nov 2007
wongfooWongFoo
Rated 06 Jul 2018
82
83rd
Jack Benny is the man.
Rated 06 Jul 2018
fra_paolofra paolo
Rated 10 Jul 2022
91
92nd
Nothing is as it seems, except when it is.
Rated 10 Jul 2022
nepetaNepeta
Rated 18 Jan 2013
90
90th
Absolutely hilarious. The comic timing is great and Carole Lombard is nothing short of delightful to watch, and Jack Benny isn't too far behind in that department. The film's satirizing of Nazis, controversial at the time of release, is highly amusing and is just part of showing war and hatred for the dreadful things they are.
Rated 18 Jan 2013
addsAdds
Rated 23 Jan 2024
20
3rd
"But it'll get a laugh." No, it won't. I couldn't wait for this farce to be over.
Rated 23 Jan 2024
closedmouthclosedmouth
Rated 19 Apr 2021
70
41st
When it gets up to speed it really flies (the sequence in Ehrhardt's office is a scream from start to finish) but it frequently clunks its gears getting up there, and coming down again: if the entire ruse at the theatre didn't break my suspension of disbelief, the baffling denouement certainly did. I wasn't terribly impressed with Benny either. If I didn't know better I'd almost say his casting was a cruel joke in itself.
Rated 19 Apr 2021
bookhouseboybookhouseboy
Rated 08 Jan 2023
77
96th
#23#, exp4, rw3, "Project 100-80-60-40-20"-1942#1
Rated 08 Jan 2023
velvet_croweVelvet Crowe
Rated 20 Jan 2023
62
65th
The movie peaks within the first 10 minutes culminating into a great punchline. Afterwards it becomes a milquetoast drama which maintains a degree of wit but fails to offer amusement nor engaging narrative.
Rated 20 Jan 2023
alon_reterAlon Reter
Rated 25 Dec 2010
50
33rd
Kind of enjoyable. Bonus points for the historical context, too.
Rated 25 Dec 2010
bownBown
Rated 21 Jan 2023
76
38th
It’s admirable how it keeps the tone steady without becoming tasteless or maudlin, but honestly it’s not really all that funny outside of the audacity of the concept. Love the performances, though.
Rated 21 Jan 2023
ceekay19Ceekay19
Rated 23 Feb 2018
80
80th
Joseph Tura: "So they call me Concentration Camp Ehrhardt?"
Rated 23 Feb 2018
theyshoot08theyshoot08
Rated 19 Dec 2008
96
92nd
71
Rated 19 Dec 2008
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 17 May 2011
95
93rd
favorite line: heil myself. "why haven't you seen this really funny film yet?" THAT is the question!
Rated 17 May 2011
aflickeringAFlickering
Rated 04 Jan 2014
7
94th
required reading: https://www.filmfreakcentral.net/ffc/2013/10/to-be-or-not-to-be-1942.html
Rated 04 Jan 2014
sybaritesybarite
Rated 26 Mar 2022
100
99th
An outstanding comedy in its own right, but the details of its production make it just astonishing. Had I seen this movie when it was first released in '42, I'm sure I would have hated it.
Rated 26 Mar 2022
croweycrowey
Rated 18 Feb 2023
30
16th
Meh, it just wasn’t funny in the first 10 min & the music was super jarring. The jokes were rather obvious & dull.
Rated 18 Feb 2023
prowlerprowler
Rated 08 Apr 2013
65
63rd
it's pretty great. there are some holes to be poked in it (like, where does the ending leave the Resistance?) but why bother
Rated 08 Apr 2013
napolenbradynapolenbrady
Rated 22 Feb 2019
86
40th
86.00
Rated 22 Feb 2019
godotGodot
Rated 17 Apr 2016
86
63rd
A movie made by a German Jew making fun of Nazi Germany, produced while Nazi Germany was at its peak of power, that's something new. Not only do I admire Lubitsch for this bold attempt, they do satirize the Führerprinzip, the hierarchy of the Nazis very well while still having some lighter comedic reliefs you wouldn't expect from a movie about the topic. Lombard was amazing, most of the cast was great. I've no technical complaints, it relied a bit too much on the same jokes for it to be perfect
Rated 17 Apr 2016
glm01glm01
Rated 23 Mar 2014
90
99th
90.000
Rated 23 Mar 2014
akatemossfanAKateMossFan
Rated 18 Jul 2021
2
21st
coheedCoheed
Rated 28 Aug 2011
80
78th
A very funny film which, because it was made during the World War II, makes its mocking of the Nazis pertinent still. An aspect that does deserve emphasis is how much acting as a skill is vital for the characters, helped by the fact that individuals cannot tell the different between two similar looking people, adding a nice layer of multiple veils on everyone (including those who nearly get themselves caught by talking about 'Concentration Camp Ehrhardt' repeatedly).
Rated 28 Aug 2011
bartbaardBartbaard
Rated 12 Aug 2018
91
98th
On the edge of my seat during the whole film. Amazing sets, performances, suspense and the funniest jokes throughout. You almost forget you're watching a comedy until Lubitsch slaps you in the face with it. The cast just work so great together and at times they had me dying of laughter (might be I had a drink or two). Highly recommend it
Rated 12 Aug 2018
metismetis
Rated 06 Aug 2021
80
70th
??????????????????????????????????????
Rated 06 Aug 2021
iyisinekiyisinek
Rated 30 Aug 2012
84
90th
varşova, polonya, 2. dünya savasi, tiyatro toplulugu, hitler, nazi, casus, ajan, köstebek, baskasinin kiligina girmek, pilot, sifre (to be or not to be), cok ince espriler var. (varsova isaglinden önce hitlerle ilgili oyun hazirlayan bir tiyatro grubunun, nazilerle yolu kesisir. Ajan siletsky, tiyatro oyuncusu maria Tura'yi köstebek yapmaya calisirken, kendini bir oyun agi icinde bulur.)
Rated 30 Aug 2012
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 31 Mar 2019
80
78th
I usually go into older movies "blind," so when this one turned out to be a comedy based on Hitler's invasion of Poland -- well, I can see why 1942 audiences didn't take kindly to it. Yet the sharp wit (combined with a few simpleton jokes with perfect timing by a great cast) with a slow but steady plot is perhaps more appreciated years later (presumably, had Hitler won, neither this nor The Great Dictator would have survived for later viewing).
Rated 31 Mar 2019
hulothulot
Rated 29 Oct 2011
100
96th
watched: 2011, 2016, 2018, 2022
Rated 29 Oct 2011
dardandardan
Rated 21 Nov 2015
80
86th
In many ways Inglorious Basterds with Hitler as Colonel Ehrhardt.
Rated 21 Nov 2015
kasperlKasperL
Rated 17 Jan 2008
90
97th
Hilarious.
Rated 17 Jan 2008
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 18 Oct 2010
40
97th
"To Be or Not to Be's wit continues to be overshadowed by its touchy plot." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 18 Oct 2010
guvolefouguvolefou
Rated 17 Feb 2015
86
94th
Politik hiciv, sürükleyici bir hikaye ve iyi yazılmış bir screwball komedisinin eşsiz birleşimi. Bu filmi sadece Lubitsch çekebilirdi gibi bir his uyandırıyor.
Rated 17 Feb 2015
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 27 Aug 2021
75
59th
The only adaptation of Hamlet I've seen with a happy ending
Rated 27 Aug 2021
hadleyreisHadleyreis
Rated 12 Jan 2020
91
95th
Aside from the language nonsense, very funny
Rated 12 Jan 2020
glmglm
Rated 26 Oct 2011
88
87th
87.500
Rated 26 Oct 2011
flotuskingFlotusKing
Rated 30 Jun 2012
92
95th
Excellent film. Clever and funny at the same time.
Rated 30 Jun 2012
jakeaestheteJakeAesthete
Rated 15 Jul 2015
77
77th
I don't think this is actually quite top-tier Lubitsch, but it's a lot of fun and at least one of his most consistent (not to mention pretty ballsy for it's time, all things considered). One can particularly see the impression Lubitsch left on the likes of Wes Anderson here, Grand Budapest Hotel owes a hell of a lot to this.
Rated 15 Jul 2015
doyler29doyler29
Rated 24 Sep 2022
90
87th
This is such an elegant comedy. So beautifully constructed that it just eviscerates Nazis and fascist ideology without really coming at it straight on. The last hour is just magical.
Rated 24 Sep 2022
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 30 Apr 2009
85
95th
Given the touchy historical context and the fact that comedies of that era were generally too broad to age well, it's amazing that this lost none of its charm. Chalk that up to Lubitsch's famous elegance and earthy sophistication and to the subtlety of the humor. He never stresses or explicates. A well acted film both tense and hilarious.
Rated 30 Apr 2009
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 13 Jan 2010
96
92nd
72
Rated 13 Jan 2010
deoradhDeoradh
Rated 08 Oct 2021
95
89th
One of the best comedies of the '40s, right up there with The Philadelphia Story, His Girl Friday etc. Fast-paced, very witty, dangerously satirical for the year it was made. It makes jokes about concentration camps and gets away with it. It deserves to be better known among the post-war generations than it is
Rated 08 Oct 2021
mike365365mike365365
Rated 07 Jan 2021
54
21st
I like old movies, but old comedies usually aren't funny to me.
Rated 07 Jan 2021
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 30 Nov 2011
96
92nd
#73
Rated 30 Nov 2011
dorkovskyDorkovsky
Rated 14 Jul 2009
5
56th
The story was very rewarding and there were some good comedic moments, albeit few and far between, but the reason it didn't sit too well with me was how distracting the contrast between comedy and drama was. The tone felt way off.
Rated 14 Jul 2009
paulofilmopaulofilmo
Rated 16 Feb 2020
69
46th
there are definitely a few moments in this tour de farce that aren't super boring
Rated 16 Feb 2020
amadeusAmadeus
Rated 08 Nov 2012
74
77th
The Merchant of Inglourious Lubitsch Basterds.
Rated 08 Nov 2012

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