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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the forum was based on the Broadway musical of the same name. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a hilarious script by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, this 1966 movie, directed by Richard Lester lampoons the traditional Roman epic while at the same time making commentary on American society.

Starring Zero Mostel and Jack Gilford, reprising their respective stage roles, the movie was filmed in Madrid, Spain. It tells the story of Pseudolus, a Roman slave who, through a series of complicated schemes, hopes to win his freedom by winning his master Hero the girl he's in love with, the young Philia. Complicating matters are Marcus Lycus, who owns Philia, and the great Miles Gloriosus, who hopes to marry the girl himself.

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Cast: Frank Thornton, Frank Elliott, John Bluthal, Andrew Faulds, Buster Keaton, Roy Kinnear, Michael Hordern, Jack Gilford, Peter Butterworth, Jon Pertwee, Pamela Brown, Bill Kerr, Phil Silvers, Beatrix Lehmann, Alfie Bass, Inga Neilsen, Patricia Jessell, Jack May, John Bennett, Zero Mostel, Michael Crawford, Annette Andre, Leon Greene, Myrna White, Lucienne Bridou, Helen Funai, Jennifer Baker, Susan Baker, Ron Brody
Genre: Comedy, Music, Musical
Release Date: January 1, 1966
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Screen Writer: Stephen Sondheim
Runtime: 1hr 40min

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10 Ratings: +2.9

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Quick Tip by MNeulander. August 24, 2010

posted in Classic Silver Screen Film Reviews!

A Quick Tip by MNeulander

Loved this film, and I am not a lover of the musical genre. Probably one of my favorite musicals because of the comedy of Zero Mostell which is superb. What a shame he was blacklisted, I would have liked him to do more work.

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review by JessicaShakespeare. December 15, 2008

All About Freedom

The most prevalent theme of Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is freedom. This is made evident in numerous metatheatrical devices. It begins with casting. Most of the major players in the film are members of marginalized groups in America; British character actors, Jews, liberals, and the obsolete silent film star. Freedom is demonstrated in the employment of blacklisted actors Zero … more

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