A Completely Overlooked Gem of a Comedy Film

Rating: 10/10 (27 February 2018)

While I enjoy comedies, I was never one to "burst out with laughter" during any comedy film. That was, until I viewed 'To Be or Not to Be'.
Simply put, this film does not hold back on its satirical humour of, not only Nazi Germans, but the theater/stage community and the extreme levels of passion many actors/actresses involve themselves in. Despite the heavy elements of satire, the humour never goes overboard into crude or absurd (compared to many satirical films of today). Every bit of humour, whether dialogue or action, is delivered perfectly and hits the right note. There are very few, if not none, "dud" moments.
The acting is, of course, excellent, with each actor/actress giving off performances that make it seem as if the role were tailor-made for them (which appears to be the case for Jack Benny).
After viewing this film, it is surprising to see that it is often excluded from many "Greatest Comedies of All-Time" lists, and may be overlooked. If you enjoy characters pretending to be others, finding themselves in awkward/precarious situations, and their attempts to squeeze their way out, you will find this film hilarious. Either way, it is a must-watch.
10/10