The Twelve Chairs |  | Actors: Robert Bernal, Bridget Brice, Ljubomir Cipranic, Diana Coupland, Dom DeLuise
Studio: Image Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: $24.99
Buy Used: $9.17
as of 2/10/2010 02:05 EST details
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Seller: tacoma_goodwill
Rating:  42 reviews
Sales Rank: 128455
Format: Color, DVD, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown)
Rating: G (General Audience)
Region: 0
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 94 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
ISBN: 6305836787
UPC: 014381917420
EAN: 9786305836780
ASIN: 6305836787
Theatrical Release Date: October 28, 1970
Release Date: May 9, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Mel Brooks's 1970 comedy (his second work as a film director) is based on an old Russian folktale, and was first filmed in Yugoslavia in 1927. The story concerns an old woman who reveals on her deathbed that she has hidden jewels inside one of 12 chairs that were formerly in her home but are now scattered. Ron Moody plays the poor Russian nobleman seeking them, and Dom DeLuise is his rival. After Brooks's wild and even controversial first film, The Producers, The Twelve Chairs seems relatively tame; but it is still a funny and slightly exotic work owing to its director's longtime interest in classic cinema. --Tom Keogh
Description
Mel Brooks's zany comedy adventure. Although the plot of "The Twelve Chairs" is wild enough to have been created by Mel Brooks, it's actually based on a Russian story written by two Soviet journalists in the 1920s. Set in Russia in 1927, this much-loved, hilarious Mel Brooks comedy classic is the tale of a former aristocrat (Ron Moody) who is now a clerk under the new Soviet regime. When he learns that his dying mother-in-law sewed a fortune in family jewels into one of twelve dining room chairs, he sets off across Russia to find it with an opportunist (Frank Langella), a priest (Dom DeLuise) and his former servant (Mel Brooks) all in equal pursuit.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 42
 A family favorite December 12, 2009
L. Timares
This is an underappreciated gem. A great story with a depth of character not often provided by Brooks' films. While growing up in the 70's our famly watched this almost yearly. Great over-the-top performances by Dom DeLuise, Ron Moody and a great bit part by Mel Brooks. Frank Langella's part is well done as a handsome and sly con man. Only one short "non-family friendly" scene in the very beginning. Otherwise great for all ages.
Little Wonder Why Russian Literature Isn't For Everyone November 11, 2009
Francis X Segura
You must be a devout Mel Brooks fan to sit through this story. Yeah, ok, so now that I've done that would I watch this film again? Probably not. BUT... I have seen it and that's what's important. I'd say Mel Brooks got all he could from the original Russian story, and from the actors. I'd watch the movie again just to see Ron Moody's scene as a stage actor. And to see Frank Langella so early in his career, there's no indication of Richard Nixon in his future. Maybe Dracula. And yet, this film refuses to drift away from my recent memory as simply another film. I suspect at sometime, somewhere, someone will bring up this Brooks film, and I'll mention I have a copy. At that time, it will be viewed again.
Hope for the best, expect the worst! November 5, 2009
Randy E. Halford (Boise, ID)
"The Twelve Chairs" is a curious choice for Mel Brooks' second directorial feature film. After the manic & controversial "The Producers", Brooks tells the story (sort of) of an old Russian folk tale about a woman revealing to a humble clerk (Ron Moody, walking the fine line between pathos & hysteria in this one) on her deathbed that the family fortune of jewels has been sewn into one of the dining room chairs. The catch: Since the Russian regime has turned into the Soviet Union, that dining room set has been scattered across the country. The plot thickens when a tall, dark & handsome young opportunist (Frank Langella) learns of the secret & forces the clerk into a partnership to find the chairs. Dom DeLuise--wonderfully funny, as usual--is a priest who becomes a direct rival in finding the fortune.
Brooks obviously had a soft spot for this old story, which doesn't go in for wild sight gags or profanity; it's humor rests on the modest simplicity of life in the Old Country. But this is a comedy, and Brooks sprinkles touches of the trademark slapstick & skill with funny dialogue everywhere. After an exhaustive race to find the fortune, the film concludes with an inevitable lesson: Life is full of disappointments; just be happy you're alive (guess I kind of spoiled the ending!). Chronologically sandwiched between the joyous hysteria of "The Producers" & the uproarious satire of "Blazing Saddles", "The Twelve Chairs" is a more modest but sweet & amusing little gem.
delightful Brooks film August 6, 2009
Eleanor Rigby
The Twelve Chairs is an entertaining short parody of a Russian film by a similar name. With a feel more like Brooks' "The Producers" (1968) rather than "Blazing Saddles" or "Spaceballs," the movie is appropriate for the whole family.
 wrong code July 11, 2009
A. Kalogeropoulos (Athina,Hellas)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
When I received the movie i realized that it wouldn't play in my DVD player because in USA they have a different code - as they do in almost everything due to their foolish need to be different from the rest of the world. So I haven't seen the movie yet, I'm waiting for a professional to change the code.
Anazon should have told me of the different country code between USA and the rest of the world.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 42
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