History of the World: Part I
Seen it?1981 | 92 min | Comedy
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
It's still drawing plenty of interest, but middling reviews (59% on Rotten Tomatoes) held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Life of Brian or Bo Burnham: Make Happy, start here.
- The mood
- Provocative satire that goes after everyone.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 32 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
An uproarious version of history that proves nothing is sacred – not even the Roman Empire, the French Revolution and the Spanish Inquisition.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
59% on Rotten Tomatoes, 47 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.7 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$32 million worldwide on a $10 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 350K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Mel Brooks
- Mel BrooksMoses / Comicus / Torquemada / Jacques / King Louis XVI
- Dom DeLuiseEmperor Nero
- Madeline KahnEmpress Nympho
- Harvey KormanCount de Monet
- Cloris LeachmanMadame Defarge
- Ron CareySwiftus
- Gregory HinesJosephus
- Pamela StephensonMademoiselle Rimbaud
- Shecky GreeneMarcus Vindictus
- Sid CaesarChief Caveman