Sardonic, hilarious and tragic. One of the finest films the 1940s has to offer.

Rating: 9/10 (7 June 2014)

My first taste of Ernst Lubitsch and one of the greatest films I've seen in a long time. To Be Or Not To Be doesn't waste a moment. It's one of the most impeccably paced films of the 1940s that hits every beat and leads down unpredictable paths. Instantly you can feel the heat of Billy Wilder's admiration for Lubitsch as they share similarities in a simple shooting style, love triangles and sardonic dialogue, and in a way To Be Or Not To Be does it better than Wilder ever managed. It's a battle of egos but they're deeply human underneath, balancing dry humour and tragedy beautifully. This is simply one of the funniest, intelligent and most poignant films of the 1940s. It's got a lot of bite and a lot of character. Lubitsch's brand of satire will be one to watch for me.
9/10