History of the World: Part I (1981)

Mel Brooks brings his one-of-a-kind comic touch to the history of mankind covering events from the Old Testament to the French Revolution in a series of episodic comedy vignettes.

Director:

Mel Brooks

Writer:

Mel Brooks

Stars:

Mel Brooks, Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mel Brooks	...	Moses / Comicus / Torquemada / Jacques / King Louis XVI
Dom DeLuise	...	Emperor Nero
Madeline Kahn	...	Empress Nympho
Harvey Korman	...	Count de Monet
Cloris Leachman	...	Madame Defarge
Ron Carey	...	Swiftus
Gregory Hines	...	Josephus
Pamela Stephenson	...	Mademoiselle Rimbaud
Shecky Greene	...	Marcus Vindictus
Sid Caesar	...	Chief Caveman
Mary-Margaret Humes	...	Miriam
Orson Welles	...	Narrator (voice)
Rudy De Luca	...	Prehistoric Man / Captain Mucus - The Roman Empire (as Rudy DeLuca)
Leigh French	...	Prehistoric Woman
Richard Karron	...	Prehistoric Man

Storyline

From the dawn of man to the distant future, mankind's evolution (or lack thereof) is traced. Often ridiculous but never serious, we learn the truth behind the Roman Emperor, we learn what REALLY happened at the Last Supper, the circumstances that surrounded the French Revolution, how to test eunuchs, and what kind of shoes the Spanish Inquisitor wore.

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Plot Keywords:

french revolution | roman emperor | old testament | cleavage | spanish inquisition | 

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Taglines:

IN MEL WE TRVST

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Genres:

Comedy | History | Musical

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Latin French

Release Date:

12 June 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mel Brooks' History of the World: Part 1

Filming Locations:

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

SEK 8,592,518 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brooksfilms

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The vestal virgins (who took the oath of chastity) in Caeser's palace are all Playboy playmates. Hugh M. Hefner (Playboy's patron) appears as the pipe-smoking entrepreneur talking about his invention, the centerfold.

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Goofs

When the nuns line up at the side of the pool there are only 12 of them, but then you see 16 of them swimming in formation.

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Quotes

Marcus Vindictus: The rest of you will run with Mucas!
[all soldiers start muttering 'ewwww']

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Crazy Credits

VESTAL VIRGINS Portrayed by Playboy Playmates and Models

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Connections

Spoofs Battlestar Galactica (1978)

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Soundtracks

"The Inquisition"
Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks and Ronny Graham
Performed by Mel Brooks Jackie Mason and Ronny Graham
Original Music & Lyrics © 1981 Brooksfilms Music Limited

User Reviews

"He's definitely a eunich."

Marred only by overlength, this is one hilarious bit of cinema as Mel Brooks satirizes the stone age, the 10 Commandments, Rome, the Last Supper, the Inquisition, and Louie the 16th (sorry I couldn't get the name right). Of course, the stone age also happens to make fun of "2001 A Space Odyssey". Also funny is at the end with the whole "Jews In Space" bit. I love that stuff.

Personally I thought the best bits were set in Rome, what with the gags about Vestal Virgins, innuendo between the queen and the late Gregory Hines, the "Stand Up Philosopher", Ethiopia, getting the Roman guards high, and of course, the Last Supper. This is not to say the Inquisition Musical number is not worth a look.

"Jesus!" - Mel Brooks

"What?" - Jesus Christ