IMDb RATING
6.4/10
7.2K
YOUR RATING
In 1920s Soviet Russia, a fallen aristocrat, a priest and a con artist search for a treasure of jewels hidden inside one of twelve dining chairs, lost during the revolution.In 1920s Soviet Russia, a fallen aristocrat, a priest and a con artist search for a treasure of jewels hidden inside one of twelve dining chairs, lost during the revolution.In 1920s Soviet Russia, a fallen aristocrat, a priest and a con artist search for a treasure of jewels hidden inside one of twelve dining chairs, lost during the revolution.
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination
Andréas Voutsinas
- Nikolai Sestrin
- (as Andreas Voutsinas)
Mladen 'Mladja' Veselinovic
- Peasant
- (as Mladja Veselinovic)
Petar Banicevic
- Sergeant
- (uncredited)
Dejan Cavic
- Orator
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMel Brooks had problems with Yugoslavian extras who didn't speak English. In one scene, extras playing museum guards were supposed to walk through a museum, ringing hand bells and shouting, "Closing time! Closing time!" Instead, the extras misunderstood and shouted, "Cloakie Bye! Cloakie Bye!" Brooks decided "Cloakie Bye" was funnier, so he left it in the movie.
- GoofsIn the bureau of housing Ostap Bender, disguised as a soviet official, is writing with his left hand. However in the Soviet union, especially in the time the movie is set, left hand writing was not tolerated by the state and would be hardly accepted in public, as Bender is writing not only hidden behind the shelfs but was also about to write in front of Father Fyodor. Left hand writing was accepted in USSR only in 1985-1986.
- Quotes
Ostap Bender: [after yet another failure] Remember the famous Russian proverb: "The hungrier you get, the tastier the meal." On the other hand, the French have a proverb: merde!
- Crazy creditsIn the opening credits the title of the movie is showed in Russian first (even with a typographic error 'Dvenadzat' stchlyev'), then it changes into the english title. The same happened at the end of the credits with the words "The end" (Konez), first cames the Russian word, than the english translation.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Sneak Previews: Take 2: Who's Funnier: Mel Brooks or Woody Allen? (1980)
- SoundtracksHope for the Best, Expect the Worst
Music by Johannes Brahms ("Hungarian Dance No. 4 in F# minor") and lyrics by Mel Brooks
Featured review
Serious Comedy
A "serious comedy" from Mel Brooks. "The Twelve Chairs" borders on farce but is relatively restrained. This restraint is all the more remarkable in light of Dom DeLuise's manic attempts to take over. Ron Moody (who is best remember as Fagin in 'Oliver' on film and on the West End and Broadway)is superb. Frank Langella is less impressive, but he does bring the necessary character to the role. If you expect and want "Blazing Saddles" this movie is not for you. Nor is it as perfect a picture as "Young Frankenstein". But this Brooksian take on a Russian comedy of errors is well worth your attention. The belly laughs are few and far between, but the tugs on the heartstrings (along with some slapstick) suffice. If I am spare on the details, it is only because I have not seen this motion picture since its theatrical release in 1970; it's definitely one to which I have to renew my acquaintance.
helpful•153
- ralphie124c41
- Dec 6, 2005
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Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,806,258
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