A bad Polish actor is just trying to make a living when Poland is invaded by the Germans in World War II. His wife has the habit of entertaining young Polish officers while he's on stage, which is also a source of depression to him. When one of her officers comes back on a Secret Mission, the actor takes charge and comes up with a plan for them to escape.
Acting
Anne Bancroft's theatrical diva energy is everything.
Writing
Lines so sharp they could cut a Nazi uniform.
Costume
The fake Hitler beard alone deserves an Oscar.
Director
Alan Johnson
Mel Brooks
Dr. Frederick Bronski
Anne Bancroft
Anna Bronski
Tim Matheson
Lt. Andre Sobinski
Charles Durning
Col. Erhardt
José Ferrer
Prof. Siletski
George Gaynes
Ravitch
Christopher Lloyd
Capt. Schultz
George Wyner
Ratkowski
Lewis J. Stadlen
Lupinsky
Jack Riley
Dobish
James "Gypsy" Haake
Sasha
Ronny Graham
Sondheim
Estelle Reiner
Gruba
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Brooks and Bancroft were married IRL, making the on-screen jealousy scenes deeply unhinged meta-comedy.
This bombed at the box office because audiences in 1983 weren't ready for Holocaust humor, even from a Jewish director whose family fled the Nazis.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
