To Be or Not to Be Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of actors in Nazi-occupied Poland put on the performance of a lifetime, impersonating Nazis, to save their lives and somehow win the war through sheer ham acting.

🍿 To Be or Not to Be: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Theatrical Troupe in Warsaw

The film opens in Warsaw, Poland, just before the Nazi invasion. Joseph Tura (Jack Benny) and his wife Maria (Carole Lombard) are celebrated actors. Maria is secretly meeting with a young pilot, Lieutenant Stanislav Sobinski (Robert Stack), who leaves the theater during Joseph’s ‘To be or not to be’ soliloquy to rendezvous with her. This infuriates the egocentric Joseph.

The Nazi Invasion and a Dangerous Mission

The German invasion disrupts their lives, forcing them to shelve their anti-Nazi play. Sobinski flees to England and joins the RAF. He becomes suspicious of Professor Siletsky (Stanley Ridges), a supposed Polish resistance leader, when Siletsky is unfamiliar with Maria Tura’s fame. This leads to the discovery that Siletsky is a German spy carrying a list of Polish resistance members.

Impersonations and Deception

Sobinski returns to Warsaw to warn the resistance, and the acting troupe uses their skills to impersonate Nazis and deceive the Gestapo. Joseph impersonates Professor Siletsky, gaining access to valuable information. This sets off a series of farcical events involving mistaken identities and close calls, as the actors navigate the increasingly dangerous situation.

Escaping with Hitler’s Plane

The climax involves a daring plan to impersonate Hitler himself. Bronski, one of the actors, disguises himself as Hitler, while the others infiltrate a Nazi gathering. They manage to escape Poland on Hitler’s plane, outsmarting the Nazis and flying to safety in Scotland. Their theatrical skills prove crucial in their survival and resistance against the occupiers.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Maria Tura (Carole Lombard): A celebrated and charming actress, Maria is a key figure in the Polish resistance, using her wit and allure to outsmart the Nazis.
• Joseph Tura (Jack Benny): A somewhat egotistical and jealous, but ultimately resourceful actor, Joseph uses his theatrical skills to aid the Polish resistance.
• Lieutenant Stanislav Sobinski (Robert Stack): A young Polish pilot, Sobinski is infatuated with Maria and becomes entangled in the resistance efforts.
• Professor Siletsky (Stanley Ridges): A treacherous German spy, Siletsky aims to deliver information that would compromise the Polish resistance.
• Colonel Ehrhardt (Sig Ruman): The bumbling but dangerous Gestapo chief, Ehrhardt is easily fooled by the actors’ disguises.
• Greenberg (Felix Bressart): An actor in the Tura’s company who dreams to play Shylock from The Merchant of Venice.
• Bronski (Tom Dugan): A member of the acting troupe, Bronski impersonates Hitler to help the troupe escape.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joseph Tura: “To be or not to be, that is the question!” – Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, used as a cue for Maria’s rendezvous, and a source of ego-bruising interruptions for Joseph.
• Colonel Ehrhardt: “So they call me Concentration Camp Ehrhardt?” – Ehrhardt’s self-satisfied, yet unsettling, repetition of his nickname becomes a darkly humorous running gag.
• Joseph Tura: “What he did to Shakespeare we are now doing to Poland.” – Tura, disguised as Professor Siletsky, delivers this line to Colonel Ehrhardt, highlighting the destructive nature of both poor acting and Nazi occupation.
• Greenberg: “Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?” – Greenberg, finally getting his chance to act, delivers Shylock’s speech to Hitler and his entourage, a powerful statement of humanity in the face of Nazi persecution.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $3,270,000
• Worldwide Gross: $4,578,000

💥 To Be or Not to Be Reviews

Personal Review

I was totally blown away by this movie! I didn’t expect to laugh so much while watching something set during WWII. The scene where Jack Benny, disguised as a Nazi, has to interact with the *real* Nazis is comedy gold. Plus, Carole Lombard is just radiant; it’s such a shame about her tragic death. I give it a 10/10. I immediately put this movie on my watchlist!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in World War II satire”
  • “Those who appreciate witty dialogue and clever plots”
  • “Admirers of Jack Benny and Carole Lombard”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild wartime violence”
  • “Satirical depictions of Nazis”
  • “Suggestive themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Lubitsch’s daring satire walks a tightrope, mocking the Nazis while acknowledging the gravity of their actions. The performances are impeccable, particularly Benny and Lombard. A timeless classic that remains bitingly relevant.
• The New York Times: “A risky comedic venture, especially considering the historical context. However, Lubitsch succeeds brilliantly, balancing dark humor with suspense and genuine pathos. Benny is a revelation, proving his talents extend far beyond radio.
• Film Fanatic: “Lubitsch directs a thought-provoking look at war and how it affects the world. Great direction with witty dialouge and humor in even the darkest moments. Overall a film worth watching and even rewatching with its witty dialouge and memorable moments

Audience Reactions

The clever disguises and mistaken identity moments kept me on the edge of my seat while laughing.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s ability to blend comedy and suspense seamlessly.

Jack Benny’s performance as the egotistical actor is hilarious and surprisingly nuanced.: Many appreciate Benny’s acting, especially when considering his usual radio persona.

Overall Consensus: A brilliant and daring satire that remains funny and thought-provoking, balancing dark humor with moments of genuine tension and tragedy.

Awards

1. National Board of Review (Top Ten Films)- 1942

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was controversial upon its release in 1942, as some felt it was inappropriate to satirize the Nazis during World War II. Jack Benny’s own father walked out during the premiere, offended by his son wearing a Nazi uniform.”
• “Carole Lombard tragically died in a plane crash shortly after filming was completed, while on a war bond tour. This added a somber note to the film’s release and made it her final performance.”
• “Ernst Lubitsch, the director, was a German immigrant and Jew, adding another layer of meaning to his decision to satirize the Nazi regime.”

🖥️ How to Watch To Be or Not to Be?

To Be or Not to Be is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for potential streaming options on services like Criterion Channel that may offer classic films. You may also find it for sale on physical media such as Blu-ray or DVD through retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed To Be or Not to Be, you might like these similar films:

• The Great Dictator (1940): Another satirical comedy that dares to mock Hitler and the Nazi regime during World War II.
• Duck Soup (1933): A pre-war satire on the absurdity of politics and war, sharing a similar anarchic spirit.
• Life is Beautiful (1997): This movie blends comedy and tragedy while set during the Holocaust.
• The Producers (1967): Another satirical comedy about a play that makes fun of Nazi Germany.

🛒 To Be or Not to Be Related Products

• To Be or Not to Be (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A high-quality Blu-ray release with special features, essays, and restored visuals, offering an enhanced viewing experience for cinephiles.
• The Jack Benny Program: Lost Programs: A collection of rare and lost episodes from Jack Benny’s iconic radio and television shows, providing a glimpse into his comedic genius.
• Carole Lombard: The Glamour, Tragedy, and Legacy: A biography of Carole Lombard, chronicling her life, career, and untimely death, with insights into her role in ‘To Be or Not to Be’.
• Hamlet – Original Movie Poster: Original poster for the Hamlet play featured in the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

To Be or Not to Be features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Polonaise in A major, Op. 40, No. 1, ‘Military'” – performed by Frédéric Chopin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

To Be or Not To Be — “Heil Myself”

Ever wondered what it would be like to see Jack Benny mock Hitler? Check out this hilarious scene from the original “To Be or Not To Be” – it’s a classic moment of comedic brilliance.

Mel Brooks, Anne Bancroft – “To Be or Not to Be” Musical Opening Number in Polish

Mel Brooks singing in Polish? Yep, you read that right! This clip from the Mel Brooks remake of “To Be Or Not To Be” is so funny and bizarre, you absolutely have to see it. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

To Be or Not To Be: Mel Brooks – Hitler Rap (1983)

This is without a doubt one of the most outrageous and hilarious scenes from the 1983 version. Mel Brooks does a Hitler rap… yes, a Hitler rap! Prepare to laugh!

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