If I shouldn't come back, I forgive you what happened between you and Sobinski. But if I come back, it's a different matter.#43
To Be or Not to Be
29 Points, 3 of 16 Lists, Top vote: #1 Edward J Grugg III
Poland, 1939. A troupe of actors is preparing to perform "Gestapo", a satire of Nazi Germany. They are also giving performances of Hamlet. Actor Josef Tura is playing the title role and tends to make a real meal of the classic "To be or not to be" speech. However, he's greatly distressed to see an audience member conspicuously stand up and leave the room just as he begins his speech. He might be even more distressed if he were to realize that he was actually going off to see his wife in private. And if that wasn't enough, there's this whole Nazi invasion thing going on. Soon, the troupe finds themselves involved in a daring escape along with those in need.
The film is considered a classic now, but at the time, many audiences seemed to think that making fun of a real threat like the Nazis and of the invasion of Polandwas in poor taste. History has been very kind to the film and it really is a film that shows how (to paraphrase Stephen Colbert paraphrasing Thomas More) the Devil crumbles in the face of mockery.
Notable scene If you liked this, check out... The Great DictatorAnother great satire of the Nazis, with a very powerful and stirring speech to cap it all off. Though banned in nations with Nazi sympathies, this one actually became a critical and commercial success with Charlie Chaplin playing both the protagonist "The Jewish Barber" and the villain "Adenoid Hynkil"
Trivia According to Jack Benny's unfinished memoir, published in 1991, his own father walked out of the theater early in the film, disgusted that his son was in a Nazi uniform, and vowed not to set foot in the theater again. Benny convinced him otherwise and his father ended up loving the film, and saw it forty-six times.
The following is based on actual events. Only the names, locations and events have been changed.