The Producers (1968)

Movie review by Hollis Griffin, Common Sense Media
The Producers (1968) Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

Slapstick musical has stereotypes, mature content.

PG 1968 90 minutes
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Parents say

age 14+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 9 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this is the original version of The Producers, written and directed by Mel Brooks. It has since been remade on film with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick and has toured on stage. Here, Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder star as two con men who are trying to steal money from wealthy older women and unsuspecting theatergoers. The Broadway musical within the movie farcically champions Nazi beliefs and dogma: Song lyrics reference "the master race," and there are swastika shapes and Nazi salutes. There are several references to sex, and a woman strips down to her underwear. Stereotypes abound, including those about women, Germans, and gay men. There's drinking, smoking, and short scenes involving gunshots (nobody is hit) and an explosion. The film is considered a comedy classic by many, and plenty of viewers will find it funny, but it treads a fine line in terms of taste, and its mature content makes it inappropriate for younger viewers.

Community Reviews

BestPicture1996
BestPicture1996 Adult
March 17, 2014
age 14+

Bawdy and in bad taste...in the best way!

What fun it is to see the tale Mel Brooks spun, and to still enjoy it all these decades later! Still offensive in its own right, especially when you see that establishing shot of all the various auditioning Hitlers prancing around and doing the Nazi salute! It's gutsy, bold, a revelation for its time as a comedy, and features two great leading performances from Mostel and Wilder, both frantic, zany leads that couldn't be more perfect for the part!

This title has:

Too much sex
dbrenner23
dbrenner23 Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

Classic & FUNNY satire from Mel Brooks!

Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, Mel Brooks at their satiric and quirky best!! Those with zero tolerance for humor that crosses the line (effeminate gay humor, Nazis) may want to give it a miss. But this is brilliant film comedy, that in many ways will seem tame when compared with today's over-the-top standards. No nudity, and most (if not all) of the sex humor will go over the heads of younger viewers.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In THE PRODUCERS, two Broadway con men plot to swindle wealthy older women into financing a surefire flop so that they can pocket the investment money and retire to a beach in Rio de Janeiro. Max (Zero Mostel) and Leo (Gene Wilder) choose an offensive Nazi love story -- Springtime for Hitler -- and a director who adapts it into a gaudy musical that will surely be laughed off stage and closed down on opening night. But will it?

Is It Any Good?

Moments in this movie are so bizarre that they fall nothing short of hilarious. Nevertheless, appreciating the humor of The Producers requires that viewers understand the parody of the staged musical. Director Mel Brooks won an Oscar for writing the multilayered production, and Mostel and Wilder both give fantastic performances -- Wilder was also nominated for his supporting role. And the film certainly offers a starting point for discussion around the stereotyped portrayals of various characters -- for example, the play's gay director and Max's Swedish secretary, as well as the German playwright and the Nazi references that follow. The moral implications of deceiving others and the potential fallout of going after a quick buck are also good discussion points.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the ethical implications of Max and Leo's business in The Producers. Is it ever OK to make money cheating others?

  • Discuss stereotypes in the film. What stereotypes can you see, and what are some of the problems with playing into them?

  • The movie parodies aspects of the Nazi regime and antisemitism. How did you feel about the portrayal? Why might some people find it offensive? Do you think it crosses a line? Can you think of other comedies that tread a fine line when it comes to taste?

Movie Details

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