The Twelve Chairs

1970

Action / Comedy / Drama

7
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 62% · 15 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 62% · 5K ratings
IMDb Rating 6.4/10 10 7606 7.6K

russia hidden fortune comedy

Plot summary

In 1920s Soviet Russia, a fallen aristocrat, a priest and a con artist search for a treasure of jewels hidden inside one of twelve dining chairs, lost during the revolution.

Director

Mel Brooks Photo
Mel Brooks

Top cast

Will Stampe Photo
Will Stampe as Night Watchman
Ron Moody Photo
Ron Moody as Vorobyaninov
Mel Brooks Photo
Mel Brooks as Tikon
Dom DeLuise Photo
Dom DeLuise as Father Fyodor
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
860.2 MB
1280*694
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 33 min
Seeds 1
1.73 GB
1918*1040
English 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 33 min
Seeds 19

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by richardchatten 7 / 10

"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst"

Probably Mel Brooks' most unfamiliar film as well as his most overtly Jewish is this adaptation shot in Yugoslavia of the frequently filmed Russian satirical novel by Ilf & Petrov, versions of which had previously been made as far afield as Hollywood and Cuba.As with 'The Producers' the lead role went to a prominent Jewish stage actor, on this occasion Ron Moody. The fatalistic tone already set by John Morris' title song, the tone throughout is low-keyed for Brooks with a downbeat ending reminiscent of (SLIGHT SPOILER COMING:) the final scene of Bialystok & Bloom rehearsing 'Prisoners of Love' in 'The Producers'.
Reviewed by ralphie124c41 7 / 10

Serious Comedy

A "serious comedy" from Mel Brooks. "The Twelve Chairs" borders on farce but is relatively restrained. This restraint is all the more remarkable in light of Dom DeLuise's manic attempts to take over. Ron Moody (who is best remember as Fagin in 'Oliver' on film and on the West End and Broadway)is superb. Frank Langella is less impressive, but he does bring the necessary character to the role. If you expect and want "Blazing Saddles" this movie is not for you. Nor is it as perfect a picture as "Young Frankenstein". But this Brooksian take on a Russian comedy of errors is well worth your attention. The belly laughs are few and far between, but the tugs on the heartstrings (along with some slapstick) suffice. If I am spare on the details, it is only because I have not seen this motion picture since its theatrical release in 1970; it's definitely one to which I have to renew my acquaintance.
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