Common Sense Media Review
By Marty Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny, poignant docu focuses on Brooks' life and impact.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
MEL BROOKS: THE 99 YEAR OLD MAN! named in reference to one of Brooks' classic early characters (the 2000 Year Old Man), tells the story of his life and work in film and TV. Interviewed by Judd Apatow, with help from clips of his films and media appearances, Brooks traces his journey from a Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn to becoming a cinema icon. Along the way, Brooks talks about his marriage to Anne Bancroft and his decades-long friendship with Carl Reiner.
Is It Any Good?
The statement "you couldn't make that today" gets thrown around a lot; with Blazing Saddles (1968) it's absolutely true. Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! features an interview with Dave Chappelle, where he says (paraphrasing) "You can get away with anything if it's funny... nobody could make Blazing Saddles today because nobody's as funny as Mel Brooks." What sets The 99 Year Old Man! apart from the current glut of entertainment icon docs is that Brooks' comedic ideas were incendiary 60 years ago and they're just as incendiary now, even though the culture has evolved dramatically in that time. Director Judd Apatow traces Brooks' unique perspective through his career, which makes the documentary poignant. But it's the trove of hilarious archival footage from Brooks' films and media appearances that makes it entertaining. It's a great tribute to Brooks' work that his documentary can be equal parts of both.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Mel Brooks, of course! What Brooks films have you seen? Did you enjoy them? Why or why not? Did the documentary give you new appreciation for Brooks' work? In which ways?
How did Brooks' cultural background and experiences inform his style of comedy? How did that influence his films? Do you see his influence in other films or TV shows?
Why are Brooks' films beloved and important? How did his early films incorporate American culture of the 1960s and 1970s? What were some targets of his humor? How do his movies hold up now?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 22, 2026
- Cast : Mel Brooks , Gene Wilder , Rick Moranis
- Network : HBO Max
- Genre : Educational
- TV rating :
- Last updated : January 26, 2026
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