IMDb > A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966)
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
6.9/10   3,606 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Richard Lester
Writers:
Melvin Frank (screenplay) &
Michael Pertwee (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
16 October 1966 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Musical more
Tagline:
Something for Everyone!
Plot:
A wily slave must unite a virgin courtesan and his young smitten master to earn his freedom. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(10 articles)
Assume Crash Positions For 'Boeing-Boeing' At Florida Rep
 (From BroadwayWorld.com. 1 November 2009, 12:03 PM, PST)

M*A*S*H writer Larry Gelbart passes away
 (From BusinessofCinema. 14 September 2009, 9:04 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Sometimes funny but way too frentic more (62 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Zero Mostel ... Pseudolus

Phil Silvers ... Marcus Lycus

Buster Keaton ... Erronius

Michael Crawford ... Hero

Jack Gilford ... Hysterium
Annette Andre ... Philia
Michael Hordern ... Senex
Leon Greene ... Captain Miles Gloriosus
Roy Kinnear ... Gladiator Instructor
Alfie Bass ... Gatekeeper
John Bluthal ... Roman Chief Guard
Pamela Brown ... High Priestess
Patricia Jessel ... Domina
Beatrix Lehmann ... Domina's Mother
Frank Thornton ... Roman Sentry
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
99 min
Country:
USA | UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Stereo
Certification:
Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Sweden:11 | USA:Approved | Singapore:PG | UK:PG (video rating) | UK:A (original rating)
Filming Locations:
Madrid, Spain more
Company:
United Artists more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
First film of Leon Greene. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Pseudolus water skis during the final chase, we can tell its a thinner stunt double because his clothes (which fit Zero so well), are loose. He has too much hair, as well. more
Quotes:
Miles Gloriosus: Now, back to Rome for a quick wedding - and some slow executions! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "The Muppet Show: (#1.3)" (1976) more
Soundtrack:
COMEDY TONIGHT more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
7 out of 10 people found the following comment useful.
Sometimes funny but way too frentic, 9 May 2003
7/10
Author: Wayne Malin (wwaayynnee51@hotmail.com) from United States

Slapstick farce based on a Broadway comedy/musical about some crazy complications when a slave (Zero Mostel) tries to win his freedom in ancient Rome.

The script is OK with some funny lines and sight gags, the girls are all very beautiful (and horribly objectified--but this was done in the 1960s) and the comedians (Mostel, Phil Silvers, Jack Guilford, Buster Keaton) are at their peak...but I didn't really enjoy this.

For one thing it's WAY too fast and frentic with director Lester spinning the camera all over the place. In most of his movies this technique works...it doesn't here. You have some very telented comedians here...they don't need camera tricks to get the joke across. Often the camera cuts away to something else in the middle of a joke...it gets very annoying and is enough to make you reach for the Dramamine. It got on my nerves a lot...more than once I wished I could reach out and force the cameraman to stay still. Also this movie relies way too much on slapstick--there's a closing chase sequence that goes on forever and has TONS of it.

Still, I'm giving it a 7 just for the cast alone (what a pleasure it is to see Keaton not doing a beach party movie and Silvers is hysterical) and some very funny parts. Also the opening song and the "maid" song are real treats. So, it's worth catching on a slow night.

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