History of the World: Part I (1981)
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- R
- 1h 32min
- Comedy, History
- 12 Jun 1981 (USA)
- Movie
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:
Writer:
Stars:
Awards:
- 1 win & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Mel Brooks | ... |
Moses / Comicus / Torquemada / Jacques / King Louis XVI
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| Dom DeLuise | ... |
Emperor Nero
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| Madeline Kahn | ... |
Empress Nympho
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| Harvey Korman | ... |
Count de Monet
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| Cloris Leachman | ... |
Madame Defarge
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| Ron Carey | ... |
Swiftus
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| Gregory Hines | ... |
Josephus
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| Pamela Stephenson | ... |
Mademoiselle Rimbaud
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| Shecky Greene | ... |
Marcus Vindictus
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| Sid Caesar | ... |
Chief Caveman
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| Mary-Margaret Humes | ... |
Miriam
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| Orson Welles | ... |
Narrator (voice)
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| Rudy De Luca | ... |
Prehistoric Man / Captain Mucus - The Roman Empire
(as Rudy DeLuca)
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| Leigh French | ... |
Prehistoric Woman
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Richard Karron | ... |
Prehistoric Man
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Susette Carroll | ... |
Prehistoric Man
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| Sammy Shore | ... |
Prehistoric Man
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| J.J. Barry | ... |
Prehistoric Man
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Earl Finn | ... |
Prehistoric Man / Disciple - The Roman Empire
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| Suzanne Kent | ... |
Prehistoric Man
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| Michael Champion | ... |
Prehistoric Man
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| Howard Morris | ... |
Court Spokesman - The Roman Empire
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| Charlie Callas | ... |
Soothsayer - The Roman Empire
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| Dena Dietrich | ... |
Competence - The Roman Empire
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| Paul Mazursky | ... |
Roman Officer - The Roman Empire
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| Ron Clark | ... |
Stoned Soldier #1 - The Roman Empire
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| Jack Riley | ... |
Stoned Soldier #2 - The Roman Empire
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| Art Metrano | ... |
Leonardo DaVinci - The Roman Empire
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Diane Day | ... |
Caladonia - The Roman Empire
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| Henny Youngman | ... |
Chemist - The Roman Empire
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| Hunter von Leer | ... |
Lt. Bob - The Roman Empire
(as Hunter Von Leer)
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| Fritz Feld | ... |
Maitre 'D - The Roman Empire
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| Hugh Hefner | ... |
Entrepreneur - The Roman Empire
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Pat McCormick | ... |
Plumbing Salesman - The Roman Empire
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| Barry Levinson | ... |
Column Salesman - The Roman Empire
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Sid Gould | ... |
Barber-Bloodletter - The Roman Empire
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| Ronny Graham | ... |
Oedipus - The Roman Empire / Jew #2 - The Spanish Inquisition
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Jim Steck | ... |
Gladiator - The Roman Empire
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John Myhers | ... |
Leader of Senate - The Roman Empire
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| Lee Delano | ... |
Wagon Driver - The Roman Empire
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Robert Goldberg | ... |
Senator #1 - The Roman Empire
(as Robert B. Goldberg)
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Alan U. Schwartz | ... |
Senator #2 - The Roman Empire
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Jay Burton | ... |
Senator #3 - The Roman Empire
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Robert Zappy | ... |
Roman Citizen - The Roman Empire
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Ira Miller | ... |
Roman Citizen - The Roman Empire
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Milt Freedman | ... |
Roman Citizen - The Roman Empire
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| Johnny Silver | ... |
Small Liar - The Roman Empire
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| Charles Thomas Murphy | ... |
Auctioneer - The Roman Empire
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Rod Haase | ... |
Roman Officer - The Roman Empire
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| Eileen Saki | ... |
Slave - The Roman Empire
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| John Hurt | ... |
Jesus - The Roman Empire
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Henry Kaiser | ... |
Disciple - The Roman Empire
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Zale Kessler | ... |
Disciple - The Roman Empire
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Anthony J. Messina | ... |
Disciple - The Roman Empire
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Howard Mann | ... |
Disciple - The Roman Empire
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| Sandy Helberg | ... |
Disciple - The Roman Empire
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Mitchell Bock | ... |
Disciple - The Roman Empire
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Gilbert Lee | ... |
Disciple - The Roman Empire
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Molly Basler | ... |
Game Show Girl - The Roman Empire
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Deborah Dawes | ... |
Game Show Girl - The Roman Empire
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Christine Dickinson | ... |
Game Show Girl - The Roman Empire
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Lisa Sohm | ... |
Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
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| Michele Drake | ... |
Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
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| Jeana Keough | ... |
Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
(as Jeana Tomasino)
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Lisa Welch | ... |
Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
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Janis Schmitt | ... |
Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
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| Heidi Sorenson | ... |
Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
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Karen Morton | ... |
Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
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Kathy Collins | ... |
Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
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Lori Sutton | ... |
Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
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Lou Mulford | ... |
Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire
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| Jackie Mason | ... |
Jew #1 - The Spanish Inquisition
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| Phil Leeds | ... |
Chief Monk - The Spanish Inquisition
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| Jack Carter | ... |
Rat Vendor - The French Revolution
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Jan Murray | ... |
Nothing Vendor - The French Revolution
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| Andréas Voutsinas | ... |
Bearnaise - The French Revolution
(as Andreas Voutsinas)
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| Spike Milligan | ... |
Monsieur Rimbaud - The French Revolution
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| John Hillerman | ... |
Rich Man - The French Revolution
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| Sydney Lassick | ... |
Applecore Vendor - The French Revolution
(as Sidney Lassick)
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| Jonathan Cecil | ... |
Poppinjay - The French Revolution
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| Andrew Sachs | ... |
Gerard - The French Revolution
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| Fiona Richmond | ... |
Queen - The French Revolution
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| Nigel Hawthorne | ... |
Citizen Official - The French Revolution
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| Bella Emberg | ... |
Baguette - The French Revolution
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Geoffrey Larder | ... |
Footman - The French Revolution
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| George Lane Cooper | ... |
Executioner - The French Revolution
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Stephanie Marrian | ... |
Lady Marie - The French Revolution
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Royce Mills | ... |
Duke D'Honnefleur - The French Revolution
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Mike Cottrell | ... |
Tartuffe - The French Revolution
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Gerald Staddon | ... |
Le Fevre - The French Revolution
(as Gerald Stadden)
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John Ghavan | ... |
Marche - The French Revolution
(as John Gavin)
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Rusty Goffe | ... |
Le Muff - The French Revolution
(as Rusty Goff)
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Scott Henderson | ... |
Coming Attractions
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Michael Miller | ... |
Coming Attractions
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| Royce D. Applegate | ... |
Coming Attractions
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Phil Adams | ... |
Jew (uncredited)
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| Bea Arthur | ... |
Dole Office Clerk (uncredited)
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Cindy Ashley | ... |
Swimmer (uncredited)
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Benjie Bancroft | ... |
Roman (uncredited)
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Sean Barry-Weske | ... |
Insolent Flunkey (uncredited)
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Ray Bickel | ... |
Jew (uncredited)
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Russell Brook | ... |
Peasant (uncredited)
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| Ava Cadell | ... |
Bit Part (uncredited)
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Jeannie Carlson | ... |
Swimmer (uncredited)
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David Chavez | ... |
Torturer (uncredited)
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| Gilbert B. Combs | ... |
Jew (uncredited)
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| Dick Durock | ... |
Roman Guard (uncredited)
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| Harry Fielder | ... |
Prison Guard (uncredited)
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John Freyer | ... |
Torturer (uncredited)
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Sandra Gray | ... |
Nun / Synchronized Swimmer Dancer (uncredited)
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Sandy Gray | ... |
Swimmer (uncredited)
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Raven Grey Eagle | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
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Sandi Gross | ... |
Swimmer (uncredited)
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Rod Haask | ... |
Prehistoric Man (uncredited)
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Edward J. Heim | ... |
Torturer (uncredited)
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Walter Henry | ... |
King Louis XVI's Servant (uncredited)
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Lars Hensen | ... |
Roman (uncredited)
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Fritz Herzog | ... |
Roman Soldier (uncredited)
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Linda Hoxit | ... |
Swimming Nun (uncredited)
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John King | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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Sissy King | ... |
Swimmer (uncredited)
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| Stan Mazin | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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| Denise McKenna | ... |
Nun (uncredited)
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| Dennon Rawles | ... |
Torturer (uncredited)
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| Carl Reiner | ... |
voice of God speaking to Moses (uncredited)
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Cleo Rocos | ... |
French Girl (uncredited)
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Philip Romano | ... |
Jew (uncredited)
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Peter Ross-Murray | ... |
French Revolutionary (uncredited)
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Dom Salinaro | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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Cha Cha Sandoval-McMahon | ... |
Swimmer (uncredited)
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Ted Sprague | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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Judy Susman | ... |
Swimmer (uncredited)
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Jack Tyree | ... |
Jew (uncredited)
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| Ted White | ... |
Roman Officer (uncredited)
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| Albert Whitlock | ... |
Used Chariot Salesman (uncredited)
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| Tom Willett | ... |
Roman Senator (uncredited)
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| Fred Wood | ... |
Revolutionary Peasant (uncredited)
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| Sheb Wooley | ... |
Screaming Peasants (uncredited) (archiveSound)
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Directed by
| Mel Brooks | ||
Written by
| Mel Brooks | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Mel Brooks | ... | producer |
| Joel Chernoff | ... | co-producer (uncredited) |
| Stuart Cornfeld | ... | associate producer |
| Alan Johnson | ... | associate producer |
Music by
| John Morris | ||
Cinematography by
| Woody Omens | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| John C. Howard | ||
Editorial Department
| Carol Ann DiGiuseppe | ... | assistant editor |
| Danford B. Greene | ... | additional editor |
| Stephen Lovejoy | ... | assistant editor |
| George A. Martin | ... | assistant editor |
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 hairdresser: The French Revolution sequence |
| Vivian McAteer | ... | hair stylist |
| Robert Norin | ... | makeup artist |
| Vera Mitchell | ... | hairdresser: The French Revolution sequence (uncredited) |
| 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 |
| John Alvin | ... | poster artist (uncredited) |
| Adrian Start | ... | chargehand painter (uncredited) |
| Robert Van Dyke | ... | propmaker gangboss (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Gene S. Cantamessa | ... | production sound mixer |
| Les Fresholtz | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Gary A. Hecker | ... | foley artist |
| Scott Hecker | ... | sound editor (as Scott A. Hecker) |
| Arthur Piantadosi | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Tex Rudloff | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Robert R. Rutledge | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Michael Sale | ... | sound mixer: The French Revolution sequence (as Mike Sale) |
| Sandy Berman | ... | sound designer (uncredited) |
| Raul A. Bruce | ... | boom operator (uncredited) |
| Steve Cantamessa | ... | sound (uncredited) |
| Samuel C. Crutcher | ... | sound effects editor (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Phil Cory | ... | special effects |
| Richard L. Hill | ... | special effects crew (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Albert Whitlock | ... | special visual effects (as Albert J. Whitlock) |
| Charles Chiodo | ... | visual effects crew (uncredited) |
| Edward Chiodo | ... | visual effects crew (uncredited) |
| Stephen Chiodo | ... | visual effects crew (uncredited) |
| Robert Costa | ... | opticals: "Jews in Space" sequence (uncredited) |
| John Curtis | ... | model builder: "Jews in Space" sequence (uncredited) |
| Anthony Doublin | ... | miniature photography: "Jews in Space" sequence (uncredited) |
| Syd Dutton | ... | assistant matte painter (uncredited) |
| Dennis Glouner | ... | matte first cameraman (uncredited) |
| Bob Greenberg | ... | laser 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) |
| Susan Turner | ... | pyrotechnician (uncredited) |
| Mark Whitlock | ... | matte camera loader (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Gary Combs | ... | stunt coordinator |
| William Hobbs | ... | stunt coordinator: The French Revolution sequence (as Bill Hobbs) |
| Phil Adams | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Desiree Ayres | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Ray Bickel | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Gary Combs | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Gilbert B. Combs | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| George Lane Cooper | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Dick Durock | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Sandi Gross | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| James M. Halty | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| William Hobbs | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Philip Romano | ... | stunt performer (uncredited) |
| Cha Cha Sandoval-McMahon | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Jack Tyree | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Ted White | ... | 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 |
| John Szajner | ... | first assistant "a" camera |
| 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 (uncredited) (French Revolution scene) |
| 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 |
Location Management
| Terry Needham | ... | location manager: The French Revolution sequence |
| John Spencer-Churchill | ... | location permission: Blenheim Palace, Oxford, England (as Duke of Marlborough) |
| Bill Borden | ... | location manager (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Ralph Burns | ... | orchestrator: "The Spanish Inquisition" |
| John R. Harris | ... | music editor |
| Jack Hayes | ... | orchestrator |
| Malcolm McNab | ... | musician: trumpet (uncredited) |
| Sally Stevens | ... | singer (uncredited) |
| Dan Wallin | ... | score mixer (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Betsy Norton | ... | script supervisor |
Additional 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 |
| Loretta Ordewer | ... | production coordinator: The French Revolution sequence |
| Charlene Painter | ... | assistant choreographer |
| Judi Rosner | ... | production coordinator |
| John Trehy | ... | production auditor: The French Revolution sequence |
| Jim Turner | ... | accountant |
| Irene Walzer | ... | publicist |
| Leah Zappy | ... | assistant to producer |
| Mary Fielder | ... | film extra (uncredited) |
| Sig Frohlich | ... | stand-in (uncredited) |
| Tina Hart | ... | stand-in: Pamela Stephenson (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- 20th Century Fox Argentina (1982) (Argentina) (theatrical) (through Columbia Pictures of Argentina)
- Columbia Films of India (1983) (India) (theatrical) (Bombay)
- Columbia Pictures of Argentina (1982) (Argentina) (theatrical) (through 20th Century Fox Argentina)
- Columbia-EMI-Warner (1981) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Gaumont (1982) (France) (theatrical)
- Hoyts Distribution (1982) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Sony Pictures Releasing (1983) (India) (theatrical) (as Columbia Films of India)
- Stockholm Film (1981) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox (1981) (United States) (theatrical)
- Warner-Columbia Films (1981) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Warner-Columbia Filmverleih (1982) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2006) (Australia) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (Brazil) (Blu-ray)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (Brazil) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (Spain) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2006) (France) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2005) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2006) (Italy) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (Italy) (Blu-ray)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (1999) (United States) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2006) (United States) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2010) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- 20th Century Fox Video (1982) (United States) (VHS)
- Abril Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox Home Video (1984) (Australia) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox Video (1984) (Belgium) (video)
- CBS/Fox (1987) (Argentina) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox (West Germany) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox (1984) (United States) (VHS)
- FS Film (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
- Key Video (United States) (VHS)
- Nelonen (2009) (Finland) (tv)
- R-Video (1980) (Finland) (VHS)
- RCA VideoDiscs (CED videodisc)
- SF Home Entertainment (2006) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1996) (Finland) (tv)
Special Effects
- The Magic Lantern (special photographic effects)
Other Companies
- 20th Century Fox Studios (post-production sound services)
- Christina Productions (set construction by)
- DeLuxe Laboratories (color by)
- Intralink Film Graphic Design (titles and graphics)
- Lee Lighting (grip and lighting equipment)
- Pacific Title (opticals by)
- Transcord (transportation)
- Warner Bros. Records (soundtrack)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
From the dawn of man to the distant future, mankind's evolution (or lack thereof) is traced. Often ridiculous but never serious, we learn the truth behind the Roman Emperor, we learn what really happened at the Last Supper, the circumstances that surrounded the French Revolution, how to test eunuchs, and what kind of shoes the Spanish Inquisitor wore.
Written by Murray Chapman |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | IN MEL WE TRVST See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
| Also Known As |
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Box Office
| Budget | $11,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $4,792,731, 14 Jun 1981 |
Did You Know?
| 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. See more » |
| 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. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited from The Vikings (1958). See more » |
| Soundtracks | The Inquisition See more » |
| Crazy Credits | VESTAL VIRGINS Portrayed by Playboy Playmates and Models See more » |
| 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! See more » |