Rating: 
Summary: Great movie but incomplete
Review: I recently puchased the DVD version. It is still funny and great as usual but I was disappointed that the presentation was of the 161 minute general release version and not of the longer version that was previouly available on VHS and Laser Disc. These had the overture and more scenes which when you are used to seeing these the DVD version becomes noticeably incomplete. Having these missing scenes in a special features section of the DVD still does not put them in their proper place in the film as a whole. Here's hoping that MGM will issue a new complete version as soon as the production run on the current version is sold.
Rating:
Summary: "Joyously mad..."
Review: Joyously mad and WAY over-the-top comedy extravaganza scores big time for it's endless parade of comedic cameos, including , Jerry Lewis, the Three Stooges, Jimmy Durante, and many more. The movie is certainly bloated, underwritten, and overlong, but it's still great fun, and with so many wonderful stars like Milton Berle, Spencer Tracy, Cid Ceasar, Ethel Murman, and Mickey Rooney, it's even more fun. Nice change of pace for Stanley Kramer and Spencer Tracy, who collaborated earlier on the courtroom drama Judgement at Nuremberg (!).
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie, lousy DVD
Review: I like this movie a lot, which is why I was sooooo disappointed with this DVD. They released the orginal theatrical version, which unfortunately cuts out a lot of great scenes. Please re-release...but as DIRECTORS CUT!
Rating: 
Summary: Not as complete as the VHS edition.
Review: The movie: Excellent! However... I couldn't wait for the DVD of this movie to come out so I could replace my out-of-print VHS copy. Unfortunately, I'll have to keep the tape, because the DVD cuts many scenes from the movie and then labels them as "extra" or "deleted" footage. These scenes are correctly placed within the movie itself on the VHS edition. It's a shame and I don't know why the movie had to be chopped up like that. As it is, I'm looking forward to burning my own DVD of the tape as soon as I can.
Rating:
Summary: Funny Movie, Disappointing DVD
Review: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is a classic comedy. Combining big name talent, it tells the story of what happen when a group of strangers finds out where $50,000 is buried. Soon, these normally law-abiding citizens are speeding, stealing, and destroying property. What they don't know is the police are observing them the entire time. As the situations get more out of hand, the movie gets funnier.I wasn't that impressed the first time I saw this movie. But on repeated viewings with friends, I've come to enjoy it more. The actors are phenomenal and the material has a timelessly funny quality to it. I'm young enough that I don't recognize all the stars, but that doesn't diminish my enjoyment at all. I was excited when I found out that the movie was coming to DVD, but I've got to say the final product disappointed me. I have only seen the "restored" VHS version that's been out for years. This DVD goes back to the original theatrical release and cuts out some of my favorite scenes. They are included in the deleted scenes section, but it's a very poorly thought out section that makes it hard to find what you want to see. The DVD does include good picture and sound, and I have always enjoyed the documentary included from the videos. This is a classic movie that everyone should see. However, if you're a fan of the recent videos, be forewarned that this is not the entire movie you are used to seeing. Hopefully, this movie will be reissued on DVD with this footage added back.
Rating:
Summary: Missing scenes and the wrong aspect ratio...
Review: I was pleased to see the release of this movie as it has always been a favorite. Upon viewing the DVD I was rather dissappointed. The Laserdisc Deluxe Box set was in the correct 2:55 screen ratio and had a run time close to the original. This DVD is cropped at 2:35 and is missing many of the scenes that were included in the LD set. Shame, shame MGM - you did it right for the LD and then dropped the ball on DVD...
Rating:
Summary: It's a bad, bad, bad, bad DVD.
Review: Shorter than the VHS version, missing the overture and opening song, even lacking a scene-selection booklet, this DVD is a disappointing presentation of an otherwise classic movie. It needs to be reissued in its orignal 70mm length (or at least in the restored VHS length), and needs a running commentary from at least one of the surviving actors, as well as a booklet with historical information.
Rating: 
Summary: Funnier than 'Rat Race'!
Review: Okay, I admit that I'm a diehard fan of this classic comedy, having first watched it way back in '64, but in terms of sheer insanity, none of the current crop of 'road' comedies with large casts can hold a candle to the original! There are several reasons why. First, 'Mad...World' features a cast of legendary comedians, doing some of their best work, instead of actors trying to be funny. (Who can forget Buddy Hackett and Mickey Rooney's plane ride? Or Sid Caesar blowing up the basement of the hardware store? Or Jonathan Winters trashing the service station?) Even the cameos are hilarious, as Jerry Lewis gleefully drives over Spencer Tracy's hat, and the Three Stooges wait mutely as firemen to finish the damage to Hackett's plane. Terry-Thomas' tirade about American men's fixation with breasts is as naughty but true today as it was forty years ago. And if you think Whoopi's hairraising drive down the mountain in 'Rat Race' was funny...well, there's an even funnier version of it in 'Mad...World'! Second, where the modern comedies get all fuzzy and sweet at their conclusions, showing everybody as totally changed and repentent, 'Mad...World' never attempts to turn it's characters into teddy bears! Until the last moment, everybody is still fighting for the stolen loot. No rock concert donations for 'Mad...World'! Instead, you get one of the wildest finales in film history, with the characters being rocketted into a variety of disasters off of a broken firetruck ladder! (Watch for Phil Silvers' imitation of Superman, Eddie Anderson's landing spot, and Dick Shawn's slide...they are all spectacular!) Finally, the current films lack a central character to put everything into perspective. Spencer Tracy, despite being in very poor health, still gives 'Mad...World' a focus, and when this 'father-figure' finally gives in to the same greed as all the comedians, the message is clear; while greed may not be 'good', it is certainly universal! Be sure and catch the 'Making Of' documentary included in the DVD, for some great stories behind the scenes, from the surviving cast members! So, kids, check out the comedy that started it all, the one that had your baby boomer parents and grandparents in stitches! You'll be in for a treat!
Rating:
Summary: Please Do Not Operate Heavy Machinery While Watching!!!
Review: Before I even begin to discuss the funniest movie EVER made, please note that you will NEVER EVER see such a cast in any movie (and when you watch the hilarious opening credit montage, you will see just how many stars are in this flick). OK, so the movie starts with a car flying through a winding mountain road (driven by Jimmy Durante), weaving through several cars and a truck, until it flies over the cliff to the horror of the other drivers including: Milton Berle, Ethal Murman, Mickey Rooney, Buddy Hacket, Jonathan Winters, Sid Ceasar, Phil Silvers... Berle's classic line "Did you see the way he just sailed right out there...." A dying Durante (who literally kicks the bucket) tells them that there are "two hundred and fifty gees burried under a big "W" in San Rosita, California..." Then the adventure begins as each group decides not to split the cash and try to beat the others. Of course the police are watching every step of the way under the watchful eye of Spencer Tracy (and listen for the constant phone calls from his wife, Selma Diamond). Each team has their own series of misadventures and hijinks that will make your sides split with laughter. Classic moments include: Sid Ceaser and his wife trying to break out of the basement of a hardware store upon becoming locked in with lots of fireworks; Rooney and Hacket try to fly a plane as the drunk pilot (Jim Baccus) passes out cold; Phil Silvers turns his car into a boat; and Ethal Murman gets turned upside down for car keys... And, look for more cameos than you could imagine (Jerry Lewis, Buster Keaton, The Three Stooges....) in a non-stop madcap adventure guaranteed to make you hurt with laughter and choke on your popcorn. Scenes from this movie have been parodied from The Simpsons to Rat Race and once you watch it, you'll understand just how timeless this film really is. The ultimate cure for a bad day. I can not rate this movie high enough. A MUST MUST MUST have.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, funny stuff.
Review: A hilarious romp and also a great cast rounds out this comedy. For some truly great comedy performances check out this film. Definitely the influence behind RAT RACE. Anyone who's a fan of comedy ensembles will want to check this out.
|
