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Mel Brooks, Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman ... see more see more... , Ron Carey , Gregory Hines , Andreas Voutsinas , Shecky Green , Sid Caesar , Howard Morris , Rudy De Luca , Orson Welles , Charlie Callas , Paul Mazursky , Art Metrano , Diane Day , Henny Youngman , Fritz Feld , Hugh Hefner , Pat McCormick , John Hurt , Jackie Mason , Phil Leeds , Jack Carter , Jan Murray , Spike Milligan , John Hillerman , Sidney Lassick , Jonathan Cecil , Andrew Sachs , John Gavin , Royce D. Applegate , Beatrice Arthur , J.J. Barry , Michael Champion , Lee Delano , Dena Dietrich , Earl Finn , Leigh French , Nigel Hawthorne , Sandy Helberg , Henry Kaiser , Suzanne Kent , Zale Kessler , Howard Mann , Anthony Messina , Fiona Richmond , Jack Riley , Alan U. Schwartz , Sammy Shore , Johnny Silver , Heidi Sorenson , Pamela Stephenson , Lori Sutton , Jeana Tomasina , Ron Clark , Spencer Henderson , Barry Levinson , Richard Lewis , Ira Miller , John Myhers , Dennon Rawles , Sid Gould , Mitchell Bock , Geoffrey Larder , Stan Mazin , Charles Thomas Murphy , Molly Basler , Mike Cottrell , Richard Karron , Royce Mills , Cleo Rocos , Eileen Saki , Jim Steck , Lisa Welch , RONNY GRAHAM , Hunter von Leer , Michael Miller , Mary-Margaret Humes , Sean Barry-Weske , John King

Mel Brooks produced, directed, wrote, and starred in this episodic comedy in the spirit of Monty Python and the 1957 studio travesty The Story of Mankind. The film is divided into five sequences that ... read more read more...play like blue-toned Eddie Cantor vaudeville sketches -- "The Dawn of Man," "The Stone Age," The Spanish Inquisition," "The Bible," and "The Future." Also included is a Brooksian depiction of The Last Supper and a long-winded sequence about the French Revolution. The film starts with a 2001: A Space Odyssey parody, narrated by Orson Welles, in which a collection of ape-men learn to stand erect (in more ways than one). The Stone Age reveals the origins of both the first homo sapien and homosexual marriages. Brooks then appears in an Old Testament sequence as Moses, descending from Mount Sinai with three heavy stone tablets bearing the 15 Commandments; after he drops one of these tablets, the laws of God become 10 Commandments. The Roman period picks up with Brooks as Comicus, attempting to get a gig as a "stand-up philosopher" at Caesar's Palace. The Spanish Inquisition is a musical production number with monks torturing Jews to lively Broadway musical strains. The final French revolution section is a broad parody of The Man in the Iron Mask story. The film closes with coming attractions of "History of the World, Part II" that features a rousing Star Wars parody (anticipating Space Balls) called "Jews in Space" that includes a jaunty theme song. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Flixster Users

79% liked it

58,387 ratings

Critics

62% liked it

26 critics

R, 1 hr. 32 min.

Directed by: Mel Brooks

Release Date: January 1, 1981

Keywords: funny, hilarious

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DVD Release Date: October 5, 1999

Stats: 3,775 reviews

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Madeline Kahn as Empress Nympho History of the World: Part 1 (1981) "It's good to be the king." History of the World: Part I Monsieur Rimbaud The Spanish Inquisition History of the World: Part I Mme. Rimbauld queen vestal virgin vestal virgin vestal virgin
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Flixster Reviews (3,775)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    May 15, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    An underrated Mel Brooks gem, The History of the World-Part 1 is a hilarious film. Mel Brooks delivers yet another great film. The History of the World-Part 1 is a crude, offensive comedy, but it works. The film has all the ingredients that make up a great Mel Brooks comedy. This... read more film is fairly underrated, and is viewed as less superior as Brooks' works. The cast here are a wonderful bunch of actors that deliver something memorable to the screen. If you enjoy a good Mel Brooks film, then give this film a view, this film is definitely worth it, and is lots of fun from start to finish. The comedic delivery is low brow, and it works. With every film that Mel Brooks has done, he's done something hilarious, something that would push the boundaries of the comedy genre, much like Monty Python; His films are classics of the genre. If you're a fan of Mel Brooks, give this one a shot. The jokes are in poor taste at times, but they're meant to be taken with a grain of salt. The History of the World-Part 1 is a near flawless comedy, and is among Mel Brooks' best works. Funny from start to finish, History of the World-Part 1 is supported by a great cast of talented funny actors who really make this film stand out. If you want a great slapstick offensive comedy, then this is the perfect flick to watch. This really an underrated film in my opinion and it doesn't deserve the flack it has received. If you enjoy Mel Brooks, you'll enjoy this film. I was surprised at how much I loved it, a true comedy classic.
  • ajv2688
    January 10, 2011
    ajv2688
    What was Brooks thinking with this movie? It's not funny, all the jokes are stupid, and there's not really a story (not that one I can recall anyway.). I hated this movie.
  • FilmFanatik
    December 27, 2010
    FilmFanatik
    Funny, funny stuff. Way ahead of any time, this highly and irreverent entry is Brooks at his best. A true classic!
  • FrizzDrop
    November 24, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    Another corny Brooks facade, the only half of the two parter is only slightly accuracte, funny as ever, and the musical numbers (including the Spanish Inquisition) are quite enjoyable.
  • SirPant
    September 18, 2009
    SirPant
    Not Brook?s best but certainly not his worst. Dom DeLuise and Gregory Hines are great!
  • sanjurosamurai
    March 22, 2009
    sanjurosamurai
    although the film got less funny as it went on, it is still worth a solid laugh and is worthy of the mel brooks filmography.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    July 6, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    I found it hilarious when I first saw it in 1981, but it's lame now. Mel Brooks and his gang put on a historical play with lots of funny jokes. We're still waiting for Part 2 and 3.
  • webalina
    June 6, 2007
    webalina
    I should like this, but I don't. After Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles, I thought Mel Brooks could do no wrong. But with the exception of one segment (It's GOOD to be the King!), it just doesn't do anything for me.
  • garyX
    March 31, 2007
    garyX
    Insubstantial scattershot spoof from Mel Brooks that's inoffensively amusing if you're in the right mood.
  • Godless
    May 18, 2006
    Godless
    An excellent documentary on the creation of civilized man. I cant wait for part 2 Ah hehehe!

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Critic Reviews

Charles Cassady
December 15, 2010
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media

Dirty jokes, some sparkle in uneven Mel Brooks classic. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
May 27, 2010
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Hearing some of those old, beloved one-liners again made me smile, but they did not have the power to make me laugh anew. Full Review

Christian Toto
May 19, 2010
Christian Toto, What Would Toto Watch?

Brooks' fractured History is salvaged by the tuneful 'Inquisition.' Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
April 11, 2006
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com

Brooks proved that increasing the vulgarity level doesn't necessarily translate into more laughs. Gag after gag falls flat in this potty-mouthed dud. Full Review

Widgett Walls
June 21, 2005
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com

The fact that there has been no Part 2 is ample proof that God hates us all.

Steve Crum
October 19, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Crude, rude Mel Brooks has low laughs

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
January 31, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Mel Brooks' The History of the World: Part I contains plenty of belly-shaking laughs. Full Review

Ken Hanke
November 24, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Occasional bright moments, but it's clear why there was no. part two.

Jon Niccum
October 25, 2002
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World

Disjointed Brooks effort that is only occasionally amusing

Rob Vaux
October 15, 2002
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium

Fifteen minutes of funny material trying desperately to fill a feature film.

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Facts

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    • Marcus Vindictus: [while Josephus is hiding among the eunuchs, Caladonia dances erotically in front of them to test them] He's a eunuch.
    • Capt. Mucus: Mmm-hmm.
    • Marcus Vindictus: [she moves to another one, dancing harder] *He's* a eunuch.
    • Capt. Mucus: Mmm-hmm.
    • Marcus Vindictus: [she moves to a third one, dancing even harder] He's *dead!*
    • Capt. Mucus: Hmm.
    • Moses: The Lord, the Lord Jehovah has given unto you these fifteen... [drops one of the tablets] Oy! Ten! Ten commandments for all to obey!
    • Poppinjay: [muffled in to megaphone] Pawn threatens bishop!
    • King Lou: What the hell did you say?
    • Poppinjay: [turning to King Louis XVI without removing the megaphone] Pawn threatens bishop!
    • Chief Monk: Torquemada - do not beg him for mercy. Torquemada - do not ask him for forgiveness. Let's face it - you can't Torquemada anything!
    • Insolent Flunkey: Count Da Money!
    • Count de Monet: De Monet! Say it... Mo - nay! Say it with me, Mo - nay!
    • Narrator: And of course, with the birth of the artist came the inevitable afterbirth... the critic.
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History of the Wo... : Watch Free on TV

History of the World -- Part I Trivia

  • In this Mel Brooks movie the most memorable quote was: "It's good to be the king"...(He was a King)   Answer »
  • "It's good to be the king." Is a quote from which Mel Brooks film?   Answer »
  • What movie was the horse Miracle in?  Answer »
  • A song-and-dance number called 'The Inquisition' was from what Mel Brooks movie?  Answer »
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