History of the World: Part I (1981)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Mel Brooks

Writer:

Mel Brooks (written by)

Release Date:

12 June 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical

Tagline:

IN MEL WE TRVST

Plot:

From the dawn of man to the distant future, mankind's evolution (or lack thereof) is traced. Often ridiculous but never serious...

Plot Keywords:

French Revolution | Dual Role | Wig | Actor Playing Multiple Roles | Ten Commandments

Cast

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 Man
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 Tomasina	...	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)

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
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)

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)
Syd Dutton	....	assistant matte painter (uncredited)
Dennis Glouner	....	matte first cameraman (uncredited)
Bob Greenberg	....	visual 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)
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)

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)

Production Companies

• Brooksfilms

Distributors

• Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation (USA) (theatrical)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont (1982) (France) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (Brazil) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (Brazil) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Abril Vídeo (19??) (Brazil) (VHS)
• CBS/Fox Video (1984) (Belgium) (video)
• Key Video (USA) (VHS)
• RCA VideoDiscs (CED videodisc)

Special Effects

• Magic Lantern, The (special photographic effects)

Other Companies

• Christina Productions  set construction by
• DeLuxe Laboratories  color by (as DeLuxe)
• Intralink Film Graphic Design  titles and graphics
• Lee Lighting  grip and lighting equipment
• Pacific Title  opticals by
• Transcord  transportation

Also Known As:

Mel Brooks' History of the World: Part 1 (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

92 min | Argentina:97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Latin | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Germany:16 | Iceland:L | Netherlands:MG6 | Portugal:M/12 | USA:R (Approved No. 26348) | Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-12 | Norway:16 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | Argentina:16 | France:U

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Brooksfilms

Trivia:

John Hurt did this movie because he had just gotten through doing two seriously dramatic films, and said that he wanted to have some fun and do a comedy.

Goofs:

Continuity: In Caesar's palace during the feast, wine is spilled on Caesar's toga but the stain disappears in subsequent shots.

Quotes:

Torquemada: [singing] I asked 'em nicely! I said pretty please! They wouldn't convert, so I'll bang on their knees!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Naked Archaeologist: Biblical Food (#1.8)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

The Inquisition

OK; What do you expect???

I'm kind of surprised at some of the reviews of this film. Mainly the "very poor" and "putrid" ones. This is Mel Brooks having the time of his life. The marketplace scene is hilarious. "Plumbing! Pump s**t right out of your house! Plumbing!

It's a wild romp through early history, with a few side steps into vaudeville and Broadway. I disagree that this film is not a classic. There are enough funny lines to quote out of this film to keep the average frat house laughing through three or four kegs of Bud.

"Boy, when you die at the palace, you REALLY die at the palace!"

Madeline (The Queen): "What happens to the slaves?"

Queen's Maid: "If they're captured, they're hung."

Madeline (The Queen): "Not necessarily."

So I suggest that you take of the Jeffrey Lyons face, sit down with some chips and brews, and watch this movie if you haven't already done so. Slapstick? You bet. Silly? Of course. As I asked before. It's Mel Brooks. What do you expect????

9/10