
Overview
In this spoof of great moments in history from the dawn of humanity through the French Revolution, director Mel Brooks delivers a twisted history lesson through his signature satirical, madcap humor. Funny, vulgar, and narrated by the great Orson Welles, HISTORY OF THE WORLD - PART I tells the progress of humankind as cave dweller, tap-dancing slave, and biblical hero. The most famous bit in the film features Moses coming down from Mount Sinai. Other highlights include a hilarious "Hitler on Ice" sequence and other outrageous comic situations, unbelievably silly jokes, and inspired casting (Sid Caesar, Gregory Hines, and Madeline Kahn included), with the film itself mimicking several historical Hollywood epics, most notably THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD and THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, as well as a brilliant parody of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY.
Awards:
Main Cast & Crew:
Mel Brooks - Director
Mel Brooks
Dom DeLuise
Madeline Kahn
Harvey Korman
Cloris Leachman
Rudy DeLuca
J. J. Barry
Alan U. Schwartz
Andréas Voutsinas
Anthony Messina
Details
- Format: DVD (Sensormatic)
- Run Time: 92
- Color Format: Color
- UPC: 024543371625
- Genre: COMEDIES
- Rating: R (MPAA)
- Release Date: September 2006

Movie Reviews
Notes:
Brooks had originally intended to make a HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART II, which would have taken the narrative through to the present, but never did.
Director Paul Mazursky (MOSCOW ON THE HUDSON, DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS) makes a cameo appearance as a Roman officer.
Reviews:
"...Chock full of amusing cameos..." - 06/10/1981 Variety