IMDb > History of the World: Part I (1981)
History of the World: Part I
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany credits
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guidemessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsmemorable quotes
Did You Know?
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
box office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

History of the World: Part I (1981) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (See all 12 | slideshow) Videos
History of the World: Part I -- Open-ended Trailer from 20th Century Fox

Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   24,833 votes »
Your Rating:
Saving vote...
Deleting vote...
/10   (delete | history)
Sorry, there was a problem
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Mel Brooks
Writer:
Mel Brooks (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for History of the World: Part I on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 June 1981 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Comedy | History | Musical See more »
Tagline:
IN MEL WE TRVST See more »
Plot:
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. Full summary » | Add synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
NewsDesk:
(14 articles)
Mel Brooks to be awarded AFI's Life Achievement Award by Martin Scorsese
 (From EW.com - Inside Movies. 20 May 2013, 8:28 AM, PDT)
Top 10 Best Caveman Movies
 (From ReelzChannel. 25 March 2013, 5:19 AM, PDT)
No Joking: Mel Brooks gets profiled on American Masters
 (From Flickeringmyth. 16 October 2012, 7:16 AM, PDT)
User Reviews:
Mel Brook's best film, yet. See more (123 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)

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
Susette Carroll ... Prehistoric Man
Sammy Shore ... Prehistoric Man
J.J. Barry ... Prehistoric Man
Earl Finn ... Prehistoric Man / Disciple - The Roman Empire
Suzanne Kent ... Prehistoric Man

Michael Champion ... Prehistoric Man

Howard Morris ... Court Spokesman - The Roman Empire

Charlie Callas ... Soothsayer - The Roman Empire
Dena Dietrich ... Competence - The Roman Empire

Paul Mazursky ... Roman Officer - The Roman Empire
Ron Clark ... Stoned Soldier #1 - The Roman Empire

Jack Riley ... Stoned Soldier #2 - The Roman Empire

Art Metrano ... Leonardo DaVinci - The Roman Empire
Diane Day ... Caladonia - The Roman Empire

Henny Youngman ... Chemist - The Roman Empire
Hunter von Leer ... Lt. Bob - The Roman Empire (as Hunter Von Leer)
Fritz Feld ... Maitre 'D - The Roman Empire

Hugh M. Hefner ... Entrepreneur - The Roman Empire (as Hugh Hefner)
Pat McCormick ... Plumbing Salesman - The Roman Empire

Barry Levinson ... Column Salesman - The Roman Empire
Sid Gould ... Barber-Bloodletter - The Roman Empire
Ronny Graham ... Oedipus - The Roman Empire / Jew #2 - The Spanish Inquisition
Jim Steck ... Gladiator - The Roman Empire
John Myhers ... Leader of Senate - The Roman Empire
Lee Delano ... Wagon Driver - The Roman Empire
Robert Goldberg ... Senator #1 - The Roman Empire (as Robert B. Goldberg)
Alan U. Schwartz ... Senator #2 - The Roman Empire
Jay Burton ... Senator #3 - The Roman Empire
Robert Zappy ... Roman Citizen - The Roman Empire
Ira Miller ... Roman Citizen - The Roman Empire
Milt Freedman ... Roman Citizen - The Roman Empire

Johnny Silver ... Small Liar - The Roman Empire
Charles Thomas Murphy ... Auctioneer - The Roman Empire
Rod Haase ... Roman Officer - The Roman Empire
Eileen Saki ... Slave - The Roman Empire

John Hurt ... Jesus - The Roman Empire
Henry Kaiser ... Disciple - The Roman Empire
Zale Kessler ... Disciple - The Roman Empire
Anthony Messina ... Disciple - The Roman Empire
Howard Mann ... Disciple - The Roman Empire

Sandy Helberg ... Disciple - The Roman Empire
Mitchell Bock ... Disciple - The Roman Empire
Gilbert Lee ... Disciple - The Roman Empire
Molly Basler ... Game Show Girl - The Roman Empire
Deborah Dawes ... Game Show Girl - The Roman Empire
Christine Dickinson ... Game Show Girl - The Roman Empire
Lisa Sohm ... Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
Michele Drake ... Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
Jeana Keough ... Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire (as Jeana Tomasino)
Lisa Welch ... Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
Janis Schmitt ... Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
Heidi Sorenson ... Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
Karen Morton ... Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
Kathy Collins ... Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
Lori Sutton ... Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire

Lou Mulford ... Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire

Jackie Mason ... Jew #1 - The Spanish Inquisition

Phil Leeds ... Chief Monk - The Spanish Inquisition

Jack Carter ... Rat Vendor - The French Revolution
Jan Murray ... Nothing Vendor - The French Revolution
Andréas Voutsinas ... Bearnaise - The French Revolution (as Andreas Voutsinas)

Spike Milligan ... Monsieur Rimbaud - The French Revolution

John Hillerman ... Rich Man - The French Revolution

Sydney Lassick ... Applecore Vendor - The French Revolution (as Sidney Lassick)
Jonathan Cecil ... Poppinjay - The French Revolution

Andrew Sachs ... Gerard - The French Revolution
Fiona Richmond ... Queen - The French Revolution

Nigel Hawthorne ... Citizen Official - The French Revolution
Bella Emberg ... Baguette - The French Revolution
Geoffrey Larder ... Footman - The French Revolution
George Lane Cooper ... Executioner - The French Revolution
Stephanie Marrian ... Lady Marie - The French Revolution
Royce Mills ... Duke D'Honnefleur - The French Revolution
Mike Cottrell ... Tartuffe - The French Revolution
Gerald Staddon ... Le Fevre - The French Revolution (as Gerald Stadden)
John Ghavan ... Marche - The French Revolution (as John Gavin)
Rusty Goffe ... Le Muff - The French Revolution (as Rusty Goff)
Scott Henderson ... Coming Attractions
Michael Miller ... Coming Attractions

Royce D. Applegate ... Coming Attractions
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Bea Arthur ... Dole office clerk (uncredited)
Sean Barry-Weske ... Insolent Flunkey (uncredited)

Ava Cadell ... Bit Part (uncredited)
Harry Fielder ... Prison Guard (uncredited)
Rod Haask ... Prehistoric Man (uncredited)
Linda Hoxit ... Swimming Nun (uncredited)

Denise McKenna ... Nun (uncredited)
Cleo Rocos ... Slave (uncredited)
Dom Salinaro ... Dancer (uncredited)
Albert Whitlock ... Used Chariot Salesman (uncredited)
Create a character page for: ?

Directed by
Mel Brooks 
 
Writing credits
Mel Brooks (written by)

Produced by
Mel Brooks .... producer
Stuart Cornfeld .... associate producer
Alan Johnson .... associate producer
Joel Chernoff .... co-producer (uncredited)
 
Original Music by
John Morris 
 
Cinematography by
Woody Omens (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
John C. Howard 
 
Casting by
Jane Feinberg 
Mike Fenton 
 
Production Design by
Harold Michelson 
 
Art Direction by
Norman Newberry 
 
Set Decoration by
Antony Mondello 
 
Costume Design by
Patricia Norris 
 
Makeup Department
Eric Allwright .... makeup artist: The French Revolution sequence
Jill Carpenter .... chief makeup artist: The French Revolution sequence
Paula Gillespie .... chief hair stylist: The French Revolution sequence
Vivian McAteer .... hair stylist
Robert Norin .... makeup artist
Gustaf Norin .... makeup artist (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Alexander De Grunwald .... production manager: The French Revolution sequence
Ralph S. Singleton .... production manager (as Ralph Singleton)
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Mitchell Bock .... second assistant director
Brian W. Cook .... assistant director: The French Revolution sequence (as Brian Cooke)
Michael Stevenson .... assistant director: The French Revolution sequence
Jerry Ziesmer .... assistant director
Ken Tuohy .... second assistant director (uncredited)
 
Art Department
Robert Cartwright .... art director: French Revolution sequence (as Bob Cartwright)
Harry Cordwell .... set decorator: French Revolution sequence
Stuart Craig .... production designer: French Revolution sequence
Bert Hearn .... property master: French Revolution sequence
Jack M. Marino .... property master (as Jack Marino)
Harold Michelson .... artistic advisor
Reg Richards .... construction manager: French Revolution sequence
John Alvin .... poster artist (uncredited)
Adrian Start .... chargehand painter (uncredited)
Robert Van Dyke .... propmaker gangboss (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Gene S. Cantamessa .... production sound mixer
Les Fresholtz .... sound re-recording mixer
Scott Hecker .... sound editor (as Scott A. Hecker)
Arthur Piantadosi .... sound re-recording mixer
Tex Rudloff .... sound re-recording mixer
Robert R. Rutledge .... supervising sound editor
Mike Sale .... sound mixer: The French Revolution sequence
Sandy Berman .... sound designer (uncredited)
Raul A. Bruce .... boom operator (uncredited)
Steve Cantamessa .... sound (uncredited)
Samuel C. Crutcher .... sound effects editor (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Phil Cory .... special effects
 
Visual Effects by
Albert Whitlock .... special visual effects (as Albert J. Whitlock)
Robert Costa .... opticals: "Jews in Space" sequence (uncredited)
John Curtis .... model builder: "Jews in Space" sequence (uncredited)
Anthony Doublin .... miniature photography: "Jews in Space" sequence (uncredited)
Syd Dutton .... assistant matte painter (uncredited)
Dennis Glouner .... matte first cameraman (uncredited)
Bob Greenberg .... laser effects: "Jews in Space" sequence (uncredited)
William Guest .... miniatures (uncredited)
Bill Hedge .... visual effects: "Jews in Space" sequence (uncredited)
Mike Moramarco .... matte camera operator (uncredited)
Henry Schoessler .... matte crew (uncredited)
Bill Taylor .... matte photography (uncredited)
Susan Turner .... pyrotechnician (uncredited)
Mark Whitlock .... matte camera loader (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Gary Combs .... stunt coordinator
William Hobbs .... stunt coordinator: The French Revolution sequence (as Bill Hobbs)
Gilbert B. Combs .... stunts (uncredited)
Dick Durock .... stunts (uncredited)
James M. Halty .... stunts (uncredited)
Desiree Kerns .... stunts (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Chuy Elizondo .... camera operator
Ginger Gemmel .... camera operator: French Revolution sequence (as Ginger Gemmell)
Gibby Germaine .... gaffer
Maurice Gillett .... gaffer: French Revolution sequence
Gerald A. King .... key grip (as Gerald King)
Elliott Marks .... still photographer (as Elliot Marks)
John Morgan .... camera operator: French Revolution sequence
Paul Wilson .... director of photography: French Revolution sequence
Alan Barry .... best boy (uncredited)
Gary Cross .... electrician (uncredited)
Brian Ellis .... focus puller: French Revolution Sequence (uncredited)
Chris Warren .... video operator (French Revolution scene) (uncredited)
Dennis Young .... grip (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Maggie Cartier .... casting: The French Revolution sequence
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jered Green .... wardrobe: men (as Jered Edd Green)
Nancy Martinelli .... wardrobe: women
David Murphy .... wardrobe supervisor: The French Revolution sequence
 
Editorial Department
Carol Ann DiGiuseppe .... assistant editor
Danford B. Greene .... additional editor
Stephen Lovejoy .... assistant editor
George A. Martin .... assistant editor
 
Music Department
Ralph Burns .... orchestrator: "The Spanish Inquisition"
John R. Harris .... music editor
Jack Hayes .... orchestrator
Dan Wallin .... score mixer (uncredited)
 
Other crew
Randy Auerbach .... assistant to producer
Penny Daniels .... continuity: The French Revolution sequence
Alan Johnson .... choreographer
K. Lenna Katich .... accountant (as Lenna Katich)
Lillian Michelson .... researcher
Terry Needham .... location manager: The French Revolution sequence
Betsy Norton .... script supervisor
Loretta Ordewer .... production coordinator: The French Revolution sequence
Charlene Painter .... assistant choreographer
Judi Rosner .... production coordinator
John Spencer-Churchill .... location permission: Blenheim Palace, Oxford, England (as Duke of Marlborough)
John Trehy .... production auditor: The French Revolution sequence
Jim Turner .... accountant
Irene Walzer .... publicist
Leah Zappy .... assistant to producer
Bill Borden .... location manager (uncredited)
 
Crew believed to be complete


Production CompaniesDistributorsSpecial EffectsOther Companies
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
"Mel Brooks' History of the World: Part 1" - USA (complete title)
See more »
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
92 min | Argentina:97 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English | Latin | French
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Stereo
Certification:
Finland:K-12 | Norway:16 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | Argentina:16 | France:U | Germany:16 | Iceland:L | Netherlands:MG6 | Portugal:M/12 | USA:R (Approved No. 26348) | Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16 | Brazil:14
Filming Locations:
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, UKSee more »
Company:
BrooksfilmsSee more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
Mel Brooks came up with the name for this film because he was tired of people asking him what his next movie would be.See more »
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Comicus, Miriam, Swiftus and Josephus are escaping in the cart, the shots from behind the cart shows the tire tracks from the vehicle the camera is mounted on.See more »
Quotes:
[hawking in the Forum]
Column Salesman:Columns, columns! Get your columns here! Ionic, Doric, Corinthian! Put a few columns in front, turn any hovel into a showplace! Columns...! Sir, don't touch the merchandise! All right now, columns, columns!
See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Jeopardy!: Episode #26.121" (2010)See more »
Soundtrack:
The InquisitionSee more »

FAQ

Will there be a part 2?
See more »

User Reviews

   (Review this title)
37 out of 56 people found the following review useful.
Mel Brook's best film, yet., 22 June 1999
Author: LisN2me from St. Louis, Missouri

Classical comedy satire..Mel Brook's best film. Once you've seen this film, you will not forgot it. The punchlines keep rolling from the beginning of the film, and even past "the big ending". There is not much of a plot, but that is to be expected in a movie that contains a bunch of skits. If you like Monty Python, then you should love this movie. This movie is not for everyone, especially if you are easily offended. However the opening scene should tell you if you would have a problem watching the rest of the movie. This movie does currently rank in my top 10 comedies of all time.

Was the above review useful to you?
See more (123 total) »

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for History of the World: Part I (1981)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
favoret line sploosh-2
Digital format coming soon?? packrgal1
Boy, when you die at the palace, you really DIE at the palace! salgueiro
Why is it rated R? The_Irish_Hitman
Empress Nympho's selection song joshforman
Mel's Recent Official Blurb About History of the World Part 2 Brookslyn
See more »

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Robin Hood: Men in Tights Brighton Wok: The Legend of Ganja Boxing Monty Python and the Holy Grail Bad Santa Bill Cosby: Himself
IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Edit page' button will take you through a step-by-step process.