This film captures the early Greek comedic style, so it's very sexist (favoring men, obviously), so enjoying this as much as I did is probably a guy thing. People who don't know much about this film will be surprised to know that it's also a musical! No, the movie doesn't revolve around singing dialogue, there's only about six numbers, including one being repeated for effect. Since it's a classic Greek comedy, it revolves around a slave. In ancient Rome, we meet Pseudolus, the sly, gambling slave of the house of Senex (Michael Hordern) and Domina(Patricia Jessel). There's only one thing he wants in life: freedom. However, his masters, one cruel and one a pushover (Domina and Senex, respectively), seem to have no intentions of giving him money to buy himself. Escape isn't much of an option, thanks to the slave Hysterium (Jack Gilford), who 'lives to grovel.' When this movie begins (or a little afterwards... whatever), Senex and Domina go on a visit to see Domina's frightening mother (Beatrix Lehmann). During this time, the selfish slave sees a window of opportunity when his masters' son, Hero presents himself with a proposal. Young, naive Hero has fallen in love with a girl, something his parents would never allow. The only problem is that this girl, Philia, a virgin from Crete, is one of the showgirls of Marcus Lycus (Phil Silvers), and has been sold to the Roman Captain, Miles Gloriosus! In order to help Hero and in turn, himself, Pseudolus will have to work hard and think quickly, something he's not used to! There was a funny part played by Buster Keaton as the Roman Senator Erronius, in search of his two lost children ever since they were stolen by pirates. The humor is packed tightly into large sections, so even if you miss a few jokes from the speed, you're bound to catch plenty more. I have to say, this movie has aged very well, and I would've loved to see it as a play! Rent/buy this! Something for everyone, a comedy, tonight!
