The Producers: Deluxe Edition DVD Review:

No matter how successful or popular a film may be upon it’s release, it seems inevitable that it will fall beneath the cracks among the new releases, especially after thirty years pass by. Very few films withstand the test of time greatly, but occasionally they are given a second chance. The invention of DVD has brought forth all sorts of special edition versions of films, which still give no guarantees that the film will be seen again, but it does get classics back on the new releases shelf once more. This is the case with Mel Brook’s classic film, The Producers, which is only further helped by the new musical version of the film releasing in theaters at the same time.

Broadway producer Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) is informed by his neurotic accountant, Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder), that it may be possible to make a fortune on a play that is guaranteed to fail, and two set out to create the worst show ever. They find a play written by an extreme patriot, called “Springtime for Hitler”, and they make certain that the cast is bad as well. All they need is money, which Bialystock has made a habit out of getting from little old ladies with thick pocketbooks and the need for some affection. Everything is going as planned until they accidentally produce a hit musical and find themselves in serious legal trouble.

This was Mel Brook’s debut and it ended up winning an Oscar for best original screenplay. It has all of the questionable humor and zaniness that is associated with Brooks, not to mention a couple of great actors to carry the roles. It is actually quite a shocking screenplay, between the Hitler jokes, which were much more shocking in the late sixties, and the affairs with older women for money. The musical has been made to seem less shocking, and audiences today are just not as easy to shock, but this original film still packs some punch. The humor is also much funnier when it isn’t being belted out in song. It is also great to watch Mostel as Max. He plays it better than anyone else ever has, on screen or stage, mostly because he truly is creepy in a way that is unapologetic.

The Deluxe Edition DVD is a two-disc set with all sorts of fun little perks. The first disc has the film which looks absolutely great, despite the time which has gone by. The second disc has a number of special features. There is a look at the new theatrical release of the musical, The Producers, which is basically just a trailer. There is also a sketch gallery, which is a series of sketches of the sets from the film which must have been made in pre-production. There is an outtake that is actually rather long, and a photo gallery.

Most of the special features are simple and necessary, but not very exciting. There are a few great features, such as a statement Peter Sellers made after seeing The Producers as read by Paul Mazursky. The other feature which makes purchasing the DVD worthwhile is The Making of The Producers, which is a lengthy and great featurette. It features fantastic interviews and footage, taking it straight through all of the steps to make the film.



Ryan Izay