Blu-ray Review: Film Doesn’t Get Much Funnier Than ‘The Producers’

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CHICAGO – Mel Brooks’ “The Producers,” recently released in a perfect collector’s edition with both SD and HD versions accompanied by spectacular special features by Shout Factory, may be a perfect comedy. It has that perfect balance of incredibly smart humor and physical antics that would define a lot of Brooks’ best work. It won the Oscar for Best Screenplay and, unlike a lot of films from the ’60s, would win it again today were it released tomorrow.

The Blu-ray of “The Producers” comes with a great documentary about the making of the film that includes interviews with Brooks, Gene Wilder, and many of the other major players from the film. And the movie itself looks good, holding up incredibly well in terms of comedy. Point me to a 45-year-old film that’s as funny. I dare you.

The Producers was released on Blu-ray and DVD on July 2, 2013
Photo credit: Shout Factory

Synopsis:
From the endlessly funny mind of filmmaker Mel Brooks (Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein) comes this Oscar-winning explosion of pure comic lunacy about low-rent Broadway producer Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) and his high-strung accountant Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder). They discover that, with the help of a few gullible investors, they can make more money on a flop than on a hit. So armed with the worst show ever written - Springtime For Hitler - and an equally horrific cast, this double-dealing duo is banking on disaster. But when their sure-to-offend musical becomes a surprise smash hit, they find themselves in the middle of a Broadway blitzkrieg!

Special Features:
o The Making Of The Producers Documentary
o Mel And His Movies: The Producers
o Theatrical Trailer
o Sketch Gallery
o Deleted Scene

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com