Silent Movie (1976) is a funny film by Mel Brooks. It’s about a director who wants to make a silent movie—no talking! The movie has silly jokes, wild chases, and famous stars. Since there’s no dialogue, the actors use big faces and actions to tell the story. It’s like a cartoon come to life! Kids will love the goofy fun and crazy surprises. 🎬😂

Silent Movie
Runtime: 1 Hours 26 Minutes
Audience Rating: 7.3/10
Critics Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG
Release Date: 16 June 1976
Production House: Crossbow Productions
Distributor: Key Video and 20th Century Fox
Page Last Updated On: 27 July 2025
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Review:
Review of Silent Movie (1976)
Silent Movie is a hilarious comedy film directed by and starring Mel Brooks. The movie is a clever tribute to the old silent films from the early days of Hollywood. What makes it special is that it is a modern (well, modern for the 1970s!) movie made like a silent film—meaning there is no spoken dialogue, only music, sound effects, and exaggerated acting.
The Story
The movie follows Mel Funn (played by Mel Brooks), a washed-up film director who wants to make a comeback. He comes up with a wild idea: to make the first silent movie in decades! To get his movie made, he needs big stars to join him. Along with his two funny friends, Dom DeLuise and Marty Feldman, he sets out to convince famous actors to be part of his silent film.
The best part of the movie is watching Mel and his friends try to persuade big stars like Burt Reynolds, James Caan, Liza Minnelli, and even Paul Newman to appear in their movie. Each meeting is filled with silly jokes, slapstick comedy, and over-the-top antics.
The Comedy
Since there is no talking, the humor comes from exaggerated facial expressions, wild physical comedy, and funny situations. For example, in one scene, Marty Feldman gets stuck in a phone booth with a beautiful woman, and their awkward movements make it look like a crazy dance. In another scene, Dom DeLuise gets attacked by a tiny but very angry man—leading to a ridiculous fight.
Mel Brooks is a master of comedy, and Silent Movie is full of his signature style: goofy, fast-paced, and full of surprises. Even though it’s a silent film, it never feels boring because there’s always something funny happening on screen.
The Music & Sound Effects
Since there’s no dialogue, the music plays a huge role in setting the mood. The soundtrack is lively and helps tell the story—happy music when things are going well, dramatic music when there’s trouble, and silly sound effects for the jokes. The film also uses written signs (like in old silent movies) to show what the characters are "saying," which adds to the fun.
Why It’s Special
Silent Movie is a love letter to classic Hollywood. It reminds us how funny silent films used to be, with their big gestures and wild stunts. But at the same time, it’s a fresh and original idea because it mixes old-style comedy with 1970s humor.
The movie also has a sweet message about never giving up on your dreams. Mel Funn’s character is down on his luck, but he believes in his crazy idea, and that’s what makes him succeed.
Who Will Enjoy It?
Kids and adults alike will love Silent Movie because the humor is simple, visual, and doesn’t rely on complicated jokes. If you like silly faces, crazy chases, and over-the-top comedy, this is the perfect movie for you. Even though it’s old, the jokes still feel fresh and funny today.
Final Thoughts
Silent Movie is a brilliant comedy that proves you don’t need words to make people laugh. Mel Brooks and his team create a world where actions speak louder than words—literally! It’s fast, fun, and full of heart. If you’re looking for a movie that will make you laugh from start to finish, this is it.

Mel Brooks
as Mel Funn
(Screenwriter)

Marty Feldman
as Marty Eggs
(Actor)

Dom DeLuise
as Dom Bell
(Actor)

Bernadette Peters
as Vilma Kaplan
(Actor)

Sid Caesar
as Studio Chief
(Actor)

Harold Gould
as Engulf
(Actor)

Ron Carey
as Devour
(Actor)

Carol Arthur
as Pregnant Lady
(Actor)
Liam Dunn
as Newsvendor
(Actor)

Fritz Feld
as Maitre d'
(Actor)

Chuck McCann
as Studio Gate Guard
(Actor)

Valerie Curtin
as Intensive Care Nurse
(Actor)
Yvonne Wilder
as Studio Chief's Secretary
(Actor)
Arnold Soboloff
as Acupunture Man
(Actor)
Patrick Campbell
as Motel Bellhop
(Actor)

Charlie Callas
as Blindman
(Actor)

Henny Youngman
as Fly-in-soup Man
(Actor)
Eddie Ryder
as British Officer
(Actor)

Marcel Marceau
(Self)

Paul Newman
(Self)

Liza Minnelli
(Self)

Burt Reynolds
(Self)

Anne Bancroft
(Self)

James Caan
(Self)
Ron Clark
(Screenwriter)
Rudy De Luca
(Screenwriter)
Michael Hertzberg
(Producer)
John Morris
(Original Music)
Paul Lohmann
(Cinematographer)
Stanford C. Allen
(Film Editing)
John C. Howard
(Film Editing)
Albert Brenner
(Production Design)

Barry Levinson
as Executive
(Screenwriter)
Rick Simpson
(Set Decoration)

Patricia Norris
(Costume Design)
Mary Goldberg
(Casting)