FREEDONIA LIVES!

Rating: Null/10 (4 September 1999)

This is by far the Marx Brother's greatest film, and therefore, one of comedy's greatest achievements. The last film by the four crazies to be made by Paramount, the film tells the story of Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho....who is perfectly Groucho-ish) setting up his kingdom as the new prime minsister of the land of Freedonia. And there's an evil villain (Louis C. Calhern) who wants to take over the whole land.
That's....pretty much the plot, and it's basically interweved with comedic sketches and crazy characters. Of course, the other three brothers play pretty substantial roles.... Harpo is Pinky and Chico is Baravelli, the two enemy spies who keep switched sides. Then there's straight-man Zeppo as Bob Rolland, Groucho's secretary who's sappy and always willing to please and serve his older brother. Actually, Zeppo is given a lot more to do compared to earlier films....it's actually his idea for Groucho to insult Calhern, and that's what leads to the war.
Ah, yes, the war.... Did I mention that this film is also a satire on war films? The last fifteen minutes or so, in which the four brothers and the ever-lovable Margarete Dumont are stuck in a collapsing house in the midst of battle, are probably the single-most hilarious scenes ever to be put on film. The antics and non-stop, and the brothers know no bounds. The balance of their different comic-personalities work and play off each other in a way that it never did again (although the passenger room scene in "A Night at the Opera" came awfully close). Harpo's silent clown and Chico's pessimistic antics are well balanced with each other, as usual. (Groucho: "Chicolini, why are you back? I thought you were on the other side." Chico: "I was, but the food's better on this side.") Groucho is his usual comedic, wise-cracking self ("Fight for this woman's honor, which is more than she's ever done!"). And Zeppo lends help as the straight man trying to keep his older brothers under control (Groucho: "Look at them all flee!" Zeppo: "But Your Excellency...." Groucho: "Remind me to give myself a medal of honor for this!" Zeppo: "But Your Excellency, you're shooting your own men!")
This film is simply comedy at it's best. Political satire that's way ahead of its time, show-stopping songs ("Freedonia's Going to War" is also a highlight), and a brilliant mirror sequence between Groucho and Harpo that must be seen to be believed! All in all, this is a perfect example of everything comedy should be. Even after almost seventy years....this film hasn't lost it's fire or wit. It simply proves the fact that there are kings of comedy, and they're names are GROUCHO, HARPO, CHICO, and ZEPPO MARX! Recommended!!!
"Oh, Your Excellency!" "Well, uh...You're not so bad yourself!"
**** out of ****