Publisher's Synopsis
Box set containing seven films from acclaimed actor/director Mel Brooks. 'The Twelve Chairs' (1970) is set in Russia in 1927 and is the tale of a former aristocrat (Ron Moody) who is now a clerk under the new Soviet regime. When he learns that his dying mother in law sewed a fortune in family jewels into one of twelve dining room chairs, he sets off across Russia to find it - with an opportunist (Frank Langella), a priest (Dom DeLuise) and his former servant (Brooks) all in equal pursuit. 'Young Frankenstein' (1974) is Brooks' Oscar-nominated horror spoof, the follow-up to 'Blazing Saddles' and the highest grossing black-and-white film of all time. Gene Wilder plays Frederick Frankenstein, a teacher who inherits his grandfather's Transylvanian estate; Marty Feldman plays Igor, his hunchback assistant; and Peter Boyle, the tap-dancing monster he brings to life in his laboratory. In 'Silent Movie' (1976), a director who is having a bit of a lull in his career tries to convince a host of famous actors to star in his new movie - which, surprise surprise turns out to be a smash hit. In 'High Anxiety' (1977), Brooks stars as a psychiatrist with a morbid fear of heights who is hired to replace the murdered head of a sanatorium. 'History of the World - Part 1' (1981) is a historical parody split into five sections: In 'The Stone Age', a caveman invents music after dropping a rock on his foot. However the development of the fine arts brings with it an unwelcome side-effect - the birth of the critic. 'The Roman Empire' sees Jesus and his disciples being served by a pushy waiter at the Last Supper, whilst 'The Spanish Inquisition' is turned into a big-budget musical number. Truly revolting peasants revolt in 'The French Revolution' and 'Coming Attractions' promises a sequel featuring Hitler performing an ice ballet. 'To Be Or Not To Be' (1983) is a remake of the Lubitsch comedy classic which has a Polish acting troupe become heavily involved in an outrageous scheme to save the Polish underground during WWII. Brooks plays the actor who must carry out the performance of his life so that the persecuted group hiding in the basement of his theatre can flee the country. Finally, in 'Life Stinks' (1991), billionaire Goddard Bolt (Brooks) bets a fellow businessman he can survive for a month as a bum on the streets. He perseveres despite interference from his rival but on returning to his mansion he finds he has been declared mentally incompetent.
