Available on YouTube
Ernst Lubitsch
Born: January 29, 1892, Berlin, Germany
Died: November 30, 1947, Los Angeles, California, United States
So far this movie and Ninotchka are my fa favourite works directed by Ernst Lubitsch
The plot concerns a troupe of actors in Nazi-occupied Warsaw who use their abilities at disguise and acting to fool the occupying troops.
It was released one month after actress Carole Lombard was killed in an airplane crash.
The film was a critical and commercial success, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Music (Original Score). It is considered one of the greatest comedies of all time, and has been praised for its wit, satire, and Lubitsch's masterful direction. Mel Brooks remade the movie
The film opens with a scene of a mustachioed man walking alone in the streets of Warsaw. The man is a close resemblance to German Chancellor Adolf Hitler. This scene sets the tone for the film, which is a dark comedy about the Nazi occupation of Poland.
The main characters are Joseph Tura (Jack Benny) and Maria Tura (Carole Lombard), a husband-and-wife acting team. When the Nazis invade Poland, the Turas' theater is closed down. Joseph and Maria decide to use their acting skills to help the Polish resistance. They impersonate Nazi officers and spies, and they even stage a play about the Nazi occupation.
Here are some of the things that make To Be or Not to Be a great film:
- The wit and satire: The film is full of witty dialogue and satire that skewers the Nazis and their ideology.
- The performances: The cast is excellent, with Jack Benny and Carole Lombard giving two of their best performances.
- The direction: Ernst Lubitsch is a master director, and he brings his unique style to To Be or Not to Be. The film is beautifully shot and directed, and it is full of memorable scenes
No comments:
Post a Comment