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History of the World: Part I

  • 1981
  • R
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
53K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,643
60
History of the World: Part I (1981)
Theatrical Trailer from 20th Century Fox
Play trailer2:54
2 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyHistoryMusical

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.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.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
    • Gregory Hines
    • Dom DeLuise
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    53K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,643
    60
    • Director
      • Mel Brooks
    • Writer
      • Mel Brooks
    • Stars
      • Mel Brooks
      • Gregory Hines
      • Dom DeLuise
    • 171User reviews
    • 53Critic reviews
    • 47Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Videos2

    History of the World, Part I
    Trailer 2:54
    Watch History of the World, Part I
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 32
    Video 29:05
    Watch Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 32

    Photos137

    History of the World: Part I (1981)
    History of the World: Part I (1981)
    History of the World: Part I (1981)
    History of the World: Part I (1981)
    History of the World: Part I (1981)
    History of the World: Part I (1981)
    Mel Brooks in History of the World: Part I (1981)
    Shecky Greene in History of the World: Part I (1981)
    Mel Brooks in History of the World: Part I (1981)
    History of the World: Part I (1981)
    History of the World: Part I (1981)
    History of the World: Part I (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mel Brooks
    Mel Brooks
    • Moses…
    Gregory Hines
    Gregory Hines
    • Josephus
    Dom DeLuise
    Dom DeLuise
    • Emperor Nero
    Madeline Kahn
    Madeline Kahn
    • Empress Nympho
    Harvey Korman
    Harvey Korman
    • Count de Monet
    Cloris Leachman
    Cloris Leachman
    • Madame Defarge
    Ron Carey
    Ron Carey
    • Swiftus
    Pamela Stephenson
    Pamela Stephenson
    • Mademoiselle Rimbaud
    Shecky Greene
    Shecky Greene
    • Marcus Vindictus
    Sid Caesar
    Sid Caesar
    • Chief Caveman
    Mary-Margaret Humes
    Mary-Margaret Humes
    • Miriam
    Orson Welles
    Orson Welles
    • Narrator
    • (voice)
    Rudy De Luca
    Rudy De Luca
    • Prehistoric Man
    • (as Rudy DeLuca)
    • …
    Leigh French
    Leigh French
    • Prehistoric Woman
    Richard Karron
    • Prehistoric Man
    Susette Carroll
    • Prehistoric Man
    Sammy Shore
    Sammy Shore
    • Prehistoric Man
    J.J. Barry
    J.J. Barry
    • Prehistoric Man
    • Director
      • Mel Brooks
    • Writer
      • Mel Brooks
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Beforehand, it was agreed that Orson Welles would receive $5,000 per day in exchange for his services. Figuring that he'd have to spend five eight-hour days recording and re-recording these lines with Welles, Mel Brooks paid him $25,000 up front. But by noon on the first day, Welles had recorded his lines to perfection. "Oh, my god, I could've paid you $5,000", Brooks lamented. After kicking himself for a few minutes, the funnyman asked Welles how he planned to spend the bounty. "Cuban cigars and Sevruga caviar", Welles replied.
    • Goofs
      In the beginning of the Roman Empire Segment, one of the running jokes was the use of a V in place of a U. It seems that great care was taken to do this on every sign. Except the Annual Orgy sign which has two Us on it that were not changed to Vs. U's are also visible on the "Equal Opportunity Employer" sign at the Unemployment Office.
    • Quotes

      Moses: The Lord, the Lord Jehovah has given unto you these fifteen...

      [drops one of the tablets]

      Moses: Oy! Ten! Ten commandments for all to obey!

    • Crazy credits
      VESTAL VIRGINS Portrayed by Playboy Playmates and Models
    • Alternate versions
      The German TV version is missing the "Hitler on Ice" segment during the finale. Also, there is a small bit missing in the stone age segment, showing the invention of art (wall painting), and the first critic taking a leak on the masterpiece.
    • Connections
      Edited from The Vikings (1958)
    • 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 reviews171

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    It's Good to Be a King
    Divided in six segments ("The Stone Age"; "The Old Testament"; "The Roman Empire"; "The Spanish Inquisition"; "The French Revolution"; and "Previews of Coming Attractions"), "History of the World: Part I" is an uneven parody of historical moments, but still worthwhile watching. This film is written, directed and produced by Mel Brooks, who is also the lead actor performing five roles. It is also the debut of Gregory Hines, who died so young. Narrated by Orson Welles, the film has a great cast and cameo appearance of many famous people.

    Last but not the least, there is no sequel and Part I is another Mel Brook's joke, since Sir Walter Raleigh wrote The History of the World Volume 1 but was beheaded before writing the Volume 2. My vote is seven.

    Title (Brazil): "A História do Mundo: Parte I" ("The History of the World: Part I")
    helpful•37
    3
    • claudio_carvalho
    • Apr 10, 2015

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    FAQ1

    • Will there be a part 2?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 12, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Latin
      • French
    • Also known as
      • A Viking Funeral
    • Filming locations
      • Vaux-le-Vicomte, Seine-et-Marne, France
    • Production company
      • Brooksfilms
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $11,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $31,672,907
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,792,731
      • Jun 14, 1981
    • Gross worldwide
      • $31,672,907
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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