Twelve Chairs
Set in 1920's Russia, this much-loved, hilarious Mel Brooks comedy classic is the tale of a former aristocrat (Ron Moody) who is now a Russian clerk under the new Soviet regime. When he learns that his dying mother-in-law sewed a fortune of family jewels into one of the twelve dining room chairs, he sets off across Russia to find it, with an opportunist (Frank Langella), priest (Dom DeLuise) and his former servant (Mel Brooks) all in equal pursuit.
Mel Brooks's 1970 comedy (his second work as a film director) is based on an old Russian folktale, and was first filmed in Yugoslavia in 1927. The story concerns an old woman who reveals on her deathbed that she has hidden jewels inside one of 12 chairs that were formerly in her home but are now scattered. Ron Moody plays the poor Russian nobleman seeking them, and Dom DeLuise is his rival. After Brooks's wild and even controversial first film, The Producers, The Twelve Chairs seems relatively tame; but it is still a funny and slightly exotic work owing to its director's longtime interest in classic cinema. --Tom Keogh
Twelve Chairs Accessories
 High Anxiety
To Be or Not to Be
Silent Movie
The Producers (Deluxe Edition)
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother
Young Frankenstein
Spaceballs
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
The Frisco Kid
The Twelve Chairs (European Classics)
Twelve Chairs Reviews
"Twelve Chairs" is perhaps Mel Brooks least known film, although it's much better than most of his post-1970s movies. Although "Twelve Chairs" is a bit obscure, it's actually based on a very well-known and oft-filmed Soviet satirical novel by Ilya Ilf and Yevgeny Petrov. Unfortunately, she also told her scheming priest (Dom DeLuise), and the two quickly race off to find the dining room chairs and recover the jewels. Ron Moody ("Oliver") stars as a former Russian nobleman whose mother-in-law on her death bed confesses to having sewn the family jewels into one of the 12 chairs of their dining room suite right before the Russian Revolution. Yes, there are some funny scenes, but the movie fails to sustain the humor for long; nevertheless, I did enjoy the movie. The movie also benefits tremendously from being filmed in Eastern Europe (the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), which gives it a unique look for a comedy. Along the way, Moody is forced to become partners with a young beggerman (a very young looking Frank Langella).
Fans of Brook's 1970s movies will likely appreciate "Twelve Chairs," and there's probably enough here to keep most others entertained. The premise is terrific, and Brooks does a good job keeping the plot interesting and the pace going. Unfortunately, it's simply not as funny as Brooks' best films. Mel makes a rather funny cameo as Tikon, the former assistant to Mood's character. Overall, it's an interesting movie.
This film is a must-see for die-hard Mel fans. I had no idea this charming and heartwarming film existed until I listened to Mel's commentary during "Blazing Saddles." I love this film because one gets an early glimpse into Mel's love of puns and parody, as well as the excellent casting and performances of Frank Langella, Ron Moody, and Dom DeLuise. Dom is superb as a greedy and crooked priest who abuses the sanctity of the confessional. It's a hilarious romp through the newly post-revolution Soviet Union where these three men are all hot on the trail for a fortune in priceless jewels hidden in one of twelve chairs left behind in a noble family's mansion after being forced out by Bolsheviks. His song that opens the credits, "Hope for the Best (Expect the Worst)" is brilliant, sad, and beautiful and sets the tone for the movie marvelously.
The original material is almost unrecognizable, the characters are just a bunch of screaming idiots and Ostap Bender, one of the most charming, charismatic and hilarious literary criminals, is completely un-appealing. If you are interested in the story and the real humor of it, read the book or check out the 1977 mini-series, directed by Mark Zakharov. Costumes are over the top, acting is way over the top (with the exception of Ron Moody, who is good at times). I didn't find myself having one laugh or at least a chuckle throughout the entire film.
The book itself was written as a great satire on the early Soviet Russia, so either filmmakers missed the point or they were forced to follow a typical pattern of all Hollywood films of the "Cold War" era. There was no need to make fun out all things Russian in this film.
I give this film 1 star and it hardly deserves that. Mel Brook's "Twelve Chairs" is an incredibly bad and un-funny adaptation of a famous book by Ilf and Petrov.
Zany fun, side-splitting laughs, but like I said, somewhat dark material matter. Little dark materialand of course, Mel in a supporting role. A little unusualafter all, it is his first comedy. If you collect Mel (and now I have them all, even hard to find High Anxiety), you must get the beginning to see his evolution. But, what can I sayzany Mel does it again.
I fell asleep but mom would wait up. This movie Dom Delouise is his best work. But it today. What characters in this movie. I remember in the 70's when my mom and I would wait up for the CBS late late show waiting for this movie to come on. "C'mon God" my favorite and playing priest trying to get the jewels for himself.
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