"We find the defendants incredibly guilty"

Rating: 10/10 (11 May 2007)

It's the best, the gold standard for comedy films. I had to look at the "low raters" who obviously pulled this ranking down to 7.7 (when I viewed, 5/2007). My favorite was the dimwit who found the movie offensive to Germans (let's not offend the memory of Hitler!). The movie was #11 on the AFI 100 greatest comedy films and this was too low. Another reviewer noted Peter Sellars' high praise. Robin Williams and Martin Short mark it as the best as well. The "Springtime for Hitler" dance scene alone makes this film a classic. This is so good that it overshadows the genius of the initial Franz Liebkind scene (in the pigeon coop). The opening of the audition scene (just go back and see it again) may be the greatest sight gag ever. Oh wait, maybe the fountains spurting with Leo Bloom's conversion is the greatest sight gag ever. Or the June Taylor dancers' swastika in "Springtime for Hitler". It's so hard to decide. Just watch it again. And again.