The Producers | 
| Director: Susan Stroman
Actors: Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman, Will Ferrell, Gary Beach
Studio: Universal Studios
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.99
Buy Used: $0.50
You Save: $9.49 (95%)
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Rating:  181 reviews
Sales Rank: 38986
Format: Ac-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd, Full Screen, Subtitled, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 134 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: 28438
UPC: 025192843822
EAN: 0025192843822
ASIN: B000EWBKMQ
Theatrical Release Date: December 25, 2005
Release Date: May 16, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
The trend is to convert movies into stage musicals, but The Producers goes a step further: making a feature film of the smash-hit stage musical that was adapted from the 1968 film. The chief drawing card, of course, is Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick reprising their roles from the stage. Lane plays Max Bialystock, a legendary Broadway producer who hasn't had a hit show in a long time. Enter nebbish accountant Leo Bloom (Broderick), who tells Bialystock he could actually make more money with a flop than a hit. So the two set out to produce the worst Broadway musical of all time, one guaranteed to close on opening night, with the collaboration of an outrageous cast of characters: Will Ferrell as sieg heil-ing author Franz Liebkind, Uma Thurman as Swedish bombshell Ulla, Gary Beach as director Roger De Bris, and Roger Bart as his assistant, Carmen Ghia, among others. As directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman (who did the same honors on Broadway) and co-written by Mel Brooks, The Producers is laugh-out-loud funny. It's also a relentlessly over-the-top, shamelessly bawdy, stereotype-ridden comedy that may turn off its audience just as much as its centerpiece, Springtime for Hitler, was intended to. But Broadway fans who are used to larger-than-life figures who play to the back row while showering the first row with spit, are likely to forgive and just enjoy the famous granny-walker dance, a supporting cast dotted with Broadway performers (playing a taxi driver is Brad Oscar, who originated the role of Liebkind on Broadway then later played Bialystock), or the mere spectacle of seeing Lane and Broderick memorializing the performances that millions never got a ticket to see. (For maximum laughs, stick around through the closing credits.) --David Horiuchi
Product Description
This remake of Mel Brooks 1968 film features Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in the roles that they originated in the smash Broadway adaptation of the original film. Broadway producer Max Bialystock (Lane) is famous for his spectacular opening night flops. Leopold Bloom (Broderick) is an uptight accountant who virtually discovers gold while reviewing Max s books. When Leo realizes that you can actually make more money with a flop than with a hit the two team up and begin a search for both the worst script and the worst director they can find to ensure failure. The script selection seems easy when the duo stumble upon SPRINGTIME FOR HITLER an homage to the Fuhrer penned by Franz Liebkind (Will Ferrell) a German sympathetic to the Nazi cause. Convinced that the script will incite outrage the duo needs a bad director to seal the deal. Campy director Roger DeBris (Gary Beach) and his assistant (Roger Bart) fit the bill perfectly. But when their scheme fails Max and Leo find themselves with the worst possible outcome: a hit. To make matters worse Franz is just a little peeved that Hitler was depicted disrespectfully--and he has a gun. Will Max and Leo survive the playwright s wrath? Will they go to jail for cooking the books? And will Leo ever submit to the advances of sexy Swedish receptionist/actress Ulla (Uma Thurman)? Directed by stage director Susan Stroman making her feature film directorial debut this riotous romp features lots of laughs from the major players as well as brief appearances by Jon Lovitz Michael McKean and Richard Kind. Lane and Broderick make it easy to understand why the show was an unprecedented hit on Broadway and Ferrell is a scene-stealer as Liebkind.System Requirements:Running Time 135 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: PG-13 UPC: 025192843822 Manufacturer No: 28438
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| Customer Reviews: Read 176 more reviews...
 Disappointed and then delighted June 20, 2009
Frank Ewins (Bournemouth, UK)
Have used Amazon manny times and been delighted. Ordered this dvd not realising that different regions in the world have different 'settings' for playback on dvds and once received I was unable to play this dvd at all.... BUT - returned item and system worked brilliantly. I received total refund inc cost to return item. Bottom line is that I have total confidence in Amazon and would use them for any purchase without any reservation. Thank you Amazon.
 Dissapointing... June 14, 2009
Manuel Pubillones (Seattle, WA)
During the last two decades many producers tried to make film versions of Broadway musicals. Unfortunately, most of them were not able to accomplish a movie that will equal or surpass the musical version. The exception was Bob Marshalls' Chicago (2002). On said masterpiece Mr. Marshall was able to transform to the big screen an unpretentious musical from the 1970s, all in black & white with limited staging. The movie included great stars such as Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere and Queen Latifah as the prison matron. The constant changes of scenes from the Cook County Jail to the Court Room and to the Club make of it a real masterpiece that made the movie worth winning six Oscars.
Unlike Chicago, the movie version of The Producers was a great disappointment. Director Susan Stroman (who produced the musical) failed to make the proper adaptation just filming scenes similar to the musical in the streets of NY and in Central Park. There is neither creativity nor originality, just like a "copy and paste" that does not bring anything new or different to the film and half way through it makes you wish to end soon or just leave the theater.
On this movie version, video and audio are great. The roles of Max and Leo were masterfully played by Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick which were in the original Broadway musical. Other great artists did participate in the movie; Uma Thurman as the sexy Ulla, Gary Beach as Roger Debris and Roger Bart as Carmen Ghia. But the greatest surprise was Will Ferrell playing the neo Nazi Franz Liebkind who is selected to play Adolf Hitler.
In spite of such a great cast, the movie version falls short and become boring, especially for those that were able to see the musical performance in NY or on the road. As I said before, there is nothing new, no creativity and just a movie that might interest people that did not attended the original musical. Might be worth watching only for those who are fans of Mel Brookes. Otherwise, invest your time in something else.
 Lustig! January 13, 2009
B. Vaughan (South Carolina)
This movie is absolutely hilarious. To those who have no sense of humour, you may find this offensive, but to the rest of the world, this provides 2 hours of laughs!
Love this Movie December 14, 2008
barry (Boston, MA United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I am a huge fan of the theater, especially musicals but for some reason I never saw THE PRODUCERS. I acknowledged all the kudos and Tonys but I just thought I would not like it even though I am a huge Matthew Broderick fan. Boy do I regret not seeing it now. Thank God this film is so well made, has Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane and allows me to settle for second best next to seeing it live.
The story flows effortlessly here and plays like a Broadway musical. When the characters burst into song or especially with the big numbers the screen comes to life and you feel as if you are seeing it live. The story is simple yet ingenious. Nathan Lane is a former famous producer who hasn't had a hit in years. Matthew Broderick, a nerdy accountant, enters to review his books but lo and behold he has always had a secret desire to be a Broadway producer. He realizes that more money could be made with a flop than a hit. They become partners and look for the worst musical, the worst director and the worst actors. The entire film is laugh out loud hilarious and both Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick bring the high energy and musicality that most certainly thrilled live.
Uma Thurman and Will Ferrell were not on Broadway but here they fit their parts perfectly. Both show exceptional talent at musicality and comedic timing.
All the musical numbers shine and when song and dance are combined the movie gives you such a feel good feeling. I love the whole cast but Matthew Broderick shines for me with both his acting and singing/dancing. The standout number is the huge production number I WANNA BE A PRODUCER and THAT FACE which he does with Uma Thurman is glorious. Other standouts are WE CAN DO IT, KEEP IT GAY, WHEN YOU GOT IT FLAUNT IT and SPRINGTIME FOR HITLER. Nathan Lane shines in the solo BETRAYED and he and Matthew Broderick have perfect chemistry in the touching TIL HIM. Mathew Broderick and Nathan Lane were made for these roles and their full exceptional talent is in full display. They make a perfect team and the chemistry provides laughs galore. Thank God they agreed to make the film version. Without them the movie would not have succeeded.
Watch this movie to feel good, laugh hysterically and be prepared to sing and dance for days. The music stays with you. Since watching the movie 3 times I have purchased the soundtrack and play it endlessly.
Highly recommend this film. Enjoy.
New Interpretation of a Classic December 8, 2008
Rick Buchanan (Roanoke, Virginia United States)
OK. No, this is not as great as the original with Mostel and Wilder. It is a musical interpretation of that original, which was an often brilliant classic of silly slapstick, over the top acting, and poor taste (read Ebert's review of each film). I thought the musical numbers were well staged and directed, and the songs were deliciously vulgar and witty. The stars reprise performances honed on Broadway, and Uma Thurman was a nice surprise as a musical performer. If you like musicals, and if you laughed at the original, you will enjoy this film. If you haven't seen the original be aware that it is not for everyone (Brooks's humor is not to everyone's taste), but it made me laugh loud and often. Either enjoy this for what it is, or don't watch it. Enough with the complaining, already.
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