Review of History of the World: Part I (1981) by Ryan V — 04 Jan 2017

Less of a feature film and more of an assortment of sketches that work within a theme, History of the World Part I is Mel Brooks' lampoon of the grandiose historical dramas that Hollywood churned out in the 1950's.

Much of it riffs on the roman gladiators, ancient monarchs, and biblical archetypes that populated the films of Cecil B Demille and his many imitators. Some of the sketches work beautifully (the musical number about the Spanish Inquisition is among the most adroitly funny things that Mel Brooks ever made), but other segments of this movie drag on, spin out, or overstay their welcome.

History of the World Part I is a lumpy and uneven affair, but there are enough highlights to make it worthwhile to people who have already digested Mel Brooks classics like Blazing Saddles or Young Frankenstein.