To Be or Not to Be
Director: Alan Johnson
Actors: Mel Brooks, Anne Bancroft, Ronny Graham
PlotIn pre-World War II Poland, a theater troupe led by Frederick and Anna Bronski finds its performances disrupted by the Nazi invasion. The couple struggles to maintain their livelihoods and manage the theater amidst the tightening control of the German occupation forces. As tensions rise, the Bronskis become involved in a resistance plan to help a downed British pilot escape from Warsaw. Their knowledge of deception, honed through years on stage, proves crucial as they navigate the dangerous waters of espionage and disguise.
Complicating matters, the troupe must also deal with a Gestapo officer who has taken a keen interest in Anna. Balancing their own safety with the larger mission at hand, Frederick and Anna lead their troupe in a series of audacious acts to mislead and outwit the Nazis. Using their acting skills, they impersonate high-ranking officers and create elaborate farces to protect themselves and accomplish their mission. As suspicions grow and tension mounts, the once-simple world of theater becomes a dangerous minefield of subterfuge.
Writers: Thomas Meehan, Ronny Graham, Edwin Justus Mayer
Release Date: 16 Dec 1983
Runtime: 107 min
Rating: PG
Country: United States
Language: English, Polish
Home Video Reviews
To own 'To Be or Not to Be', purchase the Bancroft/Brooks box sets, as Fox hasn't released it individually; its humor and universal message remain timeless.
Read our review of To Be or Not to Be Blu-ray to find out more