Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16594 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-10-07
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Format: NTSC
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 161 minutes

From Amazon.com
Stanley Kramer's sprawling 1963 comedy about a search for buried treasure by at least a dozen people--all played by well-known entertainers of their day--is the kind of mass comedy that Hollywood hasn't made in many years. (Another example from around the same time is Blake Edwards's The Great Race.) After a number of strangers (including Milton Berle, Jonathan Winters, Sid Caesar, Phil Silvers, and others) witness a dying stranger (Jimmy Durante) identify the location of hidden money, a conflict-ridden hunt begins, watched over carefully by a suspicious cop (Spencer Tracy). The ensuing two and a half hours of mayhem has its ups and downs--some bits and performers are certainly funnier than others. But Kramer, who is better known for socially conscious, serious cinema (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?), is in a mood for broad comic characterization, and some of his jokes are so intentionally obvious (Durante literally kicks a bucket when he dies), they'd have a place in Airplane! Watch for lots of cameo appearances, including Jerry Lewis (who had called Kramer and asked him why he hadn't been invited to participate). --Tom Keogh

Review
Only the super-wide screen Cinerama format could hold all of the comedy stars in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, not to mention the title itself. Just as the bloated Cinerama feature How the West Was Won sought to outdo any Western before it, World fancied itself the comedy to end all comedies. It paraded an unparalleled list of famous comics across the screen, in both feature roles and cameos: Jimmy Durante, Milton Berle, Buster Keaton, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Mickey Rooney, Phil Silvers, Peter Falk, Jonathan Winters, Jack Benny, Carl Reiner, Jerry Lewis, Dick Shawn, The Three Stooges, and many more. The film operates under the belief that having all of these funny people on screen is enough to get laughs, and occasionally, World can't help but crash under the strain of its frenetic pace and oppressive running time. Director Stanley Kramer smartly puts the most solid of Hollywood stars, Spencer Tracy, at the heart of all the slapstick madness. This was quite a radical departure for Kramer and Tracy, considering their previous two films together had been the dramas Inherit the Wind and Judgment at Nuremberg. ~ Brendon Hanley, All Movie Guide

On the DVD
ccEnglish and French 5.1 surround
English, French and Spanish subtitles

Customer Reviews

Laugh till your sides hurt
This movie I must have seen more than 20 times and still get a good laugh out of it. Everyone should be so lucky, We would never get sick if we learn to laugh more. sadly movies that are made now, don't give you the opportunity. Its a Mad Mad Mad Mad World has some of the funiest Movie stars, who every one of them were in Drama's - STAR PERFORMERS. and the movie had a good story line. If there are any Movie makers out there that log onto Amazon.com and are reading this review, please take note. MORE FUNNY MOVIES PLEASE.
B Allen

Best, Most Memorable Comedy Ever Made !!
I originally saw the movie in '63. I was 8. Dad started my Birthday party with it. After the movie, Dad drove the route of the Santa Monica portion of the car chase(yes, there really was a "Big W").
Just finished watching the movie on Turner TV. The narrator came on after the movie and said that THE ORIGINAL WAS 5 HOURS long(Just too much "good stuff"). The movie studio had it edited to the shortened current version of three hours.
Back in '63 it was a terrific movie-In '04 it is still a terrific movie.

Best Comedy Film Ever
"It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" is simply the best comedy film ever made. I have yet to come across any other movie which is as enjoyable and timeless. I have watched it when I was a kid and I have watched it with my kids - it was enjoyable then and as enjoyable for me and my kids now! It is a pity, it cannot be watched in theaters now as I have seen people stand up with joy and fall down rolling in laughter. From the first scene, until the last one - it is one big string of hilarious situations and action. Each comedian (there are dozens of famous ones) seems committed to the ultimate goal - the booty of 350Gs and relentlessly pursues it in the most natural way - greedily! It is to be watched to be experienced. Go - get one and watch with all your friends and loved ones!