We've all known that Mel Brooks is a Comedy Genius. His crazy movies such as Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and Spaceballs have earned him his own sub-genre in the world of comedy films. However, before those films, there was this one; his second outing as a Director. I actually never heard of this film until a few years ago. I purchased "The Mel Brooks Collection" which was a collection of nine of his films on Blu-Ray. The Twelve Chairs was the first film in the collection. I was pleasantly surprised when I watched it. The humor is much more subtle than his other films. It's also different in that it's based on an earlier novel instead of coming directly from Mr. Brooks. However, what he did with this film is a testament to his artistic sense. The interaction between characters is very well choreographed. The comedic timing is excellent, especially with Dom Deluise. You're laughing almost immediately after he first appears in the story. A great deal of his story is separate from the other two characters as he makes his own search for the chairs. However, it's still a fine performance and much of what you expect from him for those familiar with his work. The interaction between Ron Moody and Frank Langella is fantastic. Moody does an excellent portrayal of the inept former aristocrat turned clerk and Langella is also excellent as the dashing and intelligent rogue. The two make a great odd couple, yet work very well together. Of course, there are the standard Mel Brooks trademarks such as the director's cameo and doubling as song-writer for the film's soundtrack. As usual he performs both roles very well. Finally what really makes this film a work of art is the cinematography. Mel Brooks certainly knows how to frame a picture and with Russia serving as the backdrop, we are really treated to some great imagery. The travel montage at 1 hour, 17 minutes in is definitely the best as Moody and Langella's characters make a long 3000 mile trek across the Soviet Union and back to Moscow. Highly recommend seeing this film. It's probably best to just do what I did and purchase The Mel Brooks Collection and see for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

It's 1927 Soviet Union. Ippolit Vorobyaninov (Ron Moody) is a poor Russian aristocrat who is told by his dying mother-in-law that she hid her jewels in one of her twelve chairs which are now gone. Ostap Bender (Frank Langella) is a con-man from the streets. He befriends Tikon (Mel Brooks) and then bullies his master Ippolit into joining him in his search. The priest Father Fyodor (Dom DeLuise) brought in to give the Last Rites also tries to find the chairs.It's a satire based on Ilf and Petrov's "The Twelve Chairs". The film has a bit of slapstick and a bit of stinging rebuke of the communist system. It's not as vulgar as his later works. That's probably due to the need to follow the source material. It does lack a good rooting interest. Frank Langella is not a fun con-man. His intensity doesn't allow the comedy to flow easily. He's a serious actor and not really a comedian. This is interesting with a few good chuckles.

Knowing that Mel Brooks usually makes the silliest movies possible, it's a surprise that he directed the lightweight comedy "The Twelve Chairs". It portrays a former Czarist (Ron Moody, happy birthday!) and a young soldier (Frank Langella) looking for some jewels hidden in chairs in the Soviet Union in the 1920s. I will say that not much really happens throughout much of the movie, but it is a famous part of Russian literature. I haven't read the novel, but the movie is worth seeing, if only as a look at Brooks's early career. Also starring Dom DeLuise and Brooks in a small role.Epilepsy...

OK perhaps I'm a bit biased as I saw the 12 Chairs as a kid at the Gateway Theater in Chicago, a favorite treat of ours to stay up extra late.I saw this film again not long after learning Russian and still love it! Sure it has plenty of Mel Brooks' silliness, but what do you expect. There are many memorable lines, my family still routinely says ". . .all the Michael's are dead" when someone can't remember something.This a fun film for the whole family with a great cast. I was reminded of it just the other night when I saw Frank Langella in Superman Returns. Too bad it's difficult to find on DVD.