A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Rating:
Summary: Something Familiar
Review: First, this CD is a must for any Sondheim enthusiast. However, as any Sondheim enthusiast knows, the movie itself was a mistake: a poor movie transfer of a hysterical Broadway hit. The movie's one redeeming factor is that it visually preserves some of the original Broadway performers. If you're not a "Sondhead" buy the Original Broadway Cast recording or the 1996 Revival recording; the performances are better and there is much more music. If you are addicted to Sondheim, you probably already own this one...along with the VHS release...and the recent DVD...sigh.

Rating:
Summary: When in Rome...
Review: This is a ripper film, as funny as I remember it from decades ago. To get Zero Mostel and Phil Silvers together on the one screen is almost too much bliss for a chap to bear. I put it on the DVD player and watched it twice straight off. I suppose that the politically correct need to be warned that this is very definitely a pre-feminist film in which all the females are either sex objects or castrating monsters. And the cine-purists had better be told that it is not in the correct cinema release aspect ratio. It is an anamorphic picture that exactly fills the 16:9 television widescreen. It must have been shot at 1:2.35, so we miss a bit on the sides. Pity. But the picture quality itself is gorgeous, one of the best discs I have seen. I suppose that I have to take off half a star for the cheating on aspect ratio. Apart from that "A Funny Thing..." on DVD is perfection.

Rating:
Summary: "Every-body ought to have a copy"
Review: I'm not generally a fan of musicals, but in this case I'll make an exception. Zero Mostel is absolutely side-splitting (in some respects he resembles Jackie Gleason) as a devious slave trying desperately to win his freedom from a wealthy Roman couple (the wife will remind you Masterpiece Theatre fans of Livia from "I, Claudius"). When the couple leave for a week's vacation, they leave their son, played by Michael Crawford, in the charge of Mostel, with instructions that Mostel is to keep him from their next door neighbor's home - the next door neighbor just happens to be a "flesh peddler," played by the ever slimy Phil Silvers. Unfortunately, Crawford has fallen in love with one of the girls in Silvers' house, and wants to marry her so badly he promises Mostel his freedom if he can cause the girl to fall in love with him. Bawdy farce is definitely not for the kids, and some of the scenes are in somewhat bad taste (they may remind you a bit of Benny Hill) but I personally enjoyed just seeing Mostel and Jack Gilford (who plays a neurotic fellow slave of Mostel's) running themselves ragged to keep Crawford out of trouble. Add to that the many cases of mistaken identity, the wild ways in which Mostel worms his way out of precarious situations, and a hilarious cameo by the great stone face himself, Buster Keaton, and you've got something which I've found is mostly a contradiction in terms - an entertaining musical. One other side note to PBS British Comedy fans: "Are You Being Served" stars Frank Thornton and Alfie Bass have small roles as soldiers.

Rating:
Summary: Higly entertaining
Review: Like some of the other reviewers, I, too saw the play first, and I laughed so hard I literally had aching ribs for days. The movie captures much of the same sense of hilarity, but somehow the frenzy that you feel seeing the play live is lost in the movie version. Aside from that, the movie is full of sight gags, running jokes, slap stick and puns that keep you laughing. The actors look as if they truly enjoyed making this movie. This is definitely a film worth watching, but if you ever have a chance to see the musical live, take it!

Rating:
Summary: Funny - basic burlesque humor
Review: Nothing more than a running gag over a boys desire to be a man and the system. Extremely funny!

Rating:
Summary: A very funny thing!
Review: This movie is the funniest one I have ever seen. It has surprising plot twists and an altogether perfect ending. Zero Mostel is perfect as the conniving slave who is plotting to get his freedom, but ends up getting more than he expected. Every line is a laugh, and the songs are catchy and hilarious. This movie gets five stars!

Rating:
Summary: Awesome, Hissterical
Review: This movie was one of the funniest movies i ever saw. The actors make it funny.

Rating:
Summary: Something Amusing
Review: I have seen this movie many times, and it never grows old. If you're looking for deep meanings, forget it. As the title song says, "Weighty affairs will just have to wait". Pseudulus (Zero Mostel) is a Roman slave who seizes upon an opportunity to win his freedom, when his somewhat dim-witted master develops a crush on the girl next door. Unfortunately, she is a concubine who has been promised to a Roman general. The movie is a carnival of sight gags, running jokes, and great one-liners. Sure, it gets pretty silly at times, but thats part of the fun. If you like the "Monty Python" type of humor, you will probably like this.

Rating:
Summary: Even better on WIDESCREEN !
Review: I have always been a fan of this movie and the widescreen version makes it even more enjoyable to watch. This is a must have for your video library. Watch for this widescreen version on DVD in April. YOU GOTTA HAVE IT!

Rating:
Summary: We Live for Roman Cluture
Review: A "Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" is a laugh out loud hilarious musical comedy. My sides hurt from laughing so hard. Like slap-stick comedy of the movie and play is outrageous. Besides being funny this movie is also educational. It gives you an insight in the way of Roman life. The way this movie is presented makes your emotions go soaring. You feel compasion for each and every character, except for Miles Gloriosus. When Hero meets the love of his life Philia, it makes you just want to cry. And when he almost loses her, you're just sitting on the edge of your seat with anticipation of what is going to happen. This movie is an all around great film. I would recommend it for anyone who loves to laugh, cry, and most importantly laugh.