Opened: June 12, 1981

Directed by: Mel Brooks

Starring: Mel Brooks, Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman, Ron Carey, Gregory Hines, Pamela Stephenson, Shecky Greene, Sid Caesar, Sammy Shore, Mary-Margaret Humes, Orson Welles, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris, Charlie Callas, Paul Mazursky, Henny Youngman, Hugh Hefner, Barry Levinson, John Myhers, Dena Dietrich, Fritz Feld, John Hurt, Art Metrano, Bea Arthur, Pat McCormick, Ronny Graham, Jackie Mason, Andreas Voutsinas, Spike Milligan, John Hillerman, Andrew Sachs, Fiona Richmond, Nigel Hawthorne & Bella Emberg

A hilarious look at different periods of history, History of the World, Part I has some jokes that haven’t aged well, though its humor is infectious overall.

In the Stone Age, a caveman (Sid Caesar) begins to discover human practices. Comicus (Mel Brooks) and Josephus (Gregory Hines) must escape the Roman Empire. Torquemada (Brooks) delivers a song and dance during the Spanish Inquisition. And Madame Defarge (Cloris Leachman) incites the French Revolution.

The best performance in the film comes from the always-hilarious Madeline Kahn as Empress Nympho. She has a way of carrying herself that makes her character even funnier.

However, most of the female characters are overly sexualized and the flamboyant male character is constantly called “faggot.” Can these be forgiven? Yes. But is it a little uncomfortable to watch? Also yes.

Final say: An outdated but funny history. ★★★☆☆