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The Critic (1963)

Approved | | Animation , Comedy , Short | 20 May 1963 (USA)
The Critic Poster
Mel Brooks is an old man watching abstract animations. He doesn't understand them, so he heckles with strange commentary, to the annoyance of those around him.

Director:

Ernest Pintoff

Writer:

Mel Brooks (creator)

Star:

Mel Brooks
Reviews
Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins. See more awards »

Photos

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Mel Brooks ... Narrator (voice)
See full cast »
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Storyline

Set against an unembellished and colour-shifting background, a sequence of vibrant and abstract animations of shapes, sometimes amorphous and surreal, while other times, geometric and simple, dance to the music of the baroque harpsichord. Before this intellectual phantasmagoria of image and sound, a grouchy old man struggles to make sense of the indecipherable patterns on the screen, commenting incessantly. Oh well, it seems like everybody's a critic. Written by Nick Riganas

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

old man | abstract | satire | poking fun at movie | film discussion | See All (18) »

Taglines:

What da H--- is Dis? Dis is from the FUNNIEST short of the century! See more »

Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Short

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 May 1963 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Критик See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pintof-Crossbow Productions See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Premiered at the Sutton Theater in Manhattan as the opening short for the Peter Sellers comedy Heavens Above. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Old Man from Russia: What the hell is this? Must be a cartoon.
See more »

Connections

Featured in The Lady with the Torch (1999) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Please Add The Critic To The Next Brooks Feature Length DVD
20 January 2006 | by basilcourt – See all my reviews

I saw The Critic in the mid-70's as a short before some comedy, and while I don't remember the movie it preceded, I'll never forget Pintoff's tiny gem of a film. The v/o commentary that accompanies the very 60's-era (and very European) abstract animation is the funniest narration I have ever heard in any film -- long or short -- and nobody, NOBODY could have delivered it better than Mel Brooks. The magic of the whole concept is that you truly do feel like the old geezer is sitting right next to you in the theater -- a masterful stroke of comedic/filmic genius. It's a crying shame that The Critic appears to be out of circulation...
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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