A very well-deserved reputation as a cult classic, based on brilliant performances and excellent writing. I've seen it perhaps a dozen times and keep finding subtle jokes I had missed, such as the Corsican Brothers' names, "da Sissy" (a play on the feminine affectations of the noblemen and particularly Sutherland's sort-of-in-the-closet character. Those who don't remember the original M*A*S*H movie tend to think of Sutherland in his scary or evil roles and ignore his great gift for comedy. One of the great lines of this movie is Sutherland's response to Wilder's, "Someday I shall be King!" -- "... and I shall be Queen!"
The character names are inspired: Escargot, Coupe, da Sissy ... and a lot of the humor is in this vein, but quick. Even the lower-billed players (particularly the King, Queen Marie and Escargot) are perfectly cast and brilliant. If you like Mel Brooks or the Airplane! or Leslie Nielsen comedies, you WILL love this masterpiece.
The character names are inspired: Escargot, Coupe, da Sissy ... and a lot of the humor is in this vein, but quick. Even the lower-billed players (particularly the King, Queen Marie and Escargot) are perfectly cast and brilliant. If you like Mel Brooks or the Airplane! or Leslie Nielsen comedies, you WILL love this masterpiece.