"The Russians Are Coming" ,may take place during the cold war era but that doesn't deplete the strong message blended seamlessly into the comedy.
The people of Gloucester jump (head first) to the conclusion that the Russians are invading them. When all that's happened is they are run aground on sandbar and want to get off of it by borrowing a boat to tow it loose.
Granted they have good reason with these men carrying & pointing weapons, but in that era Americans had become so fearful of Communism they're not so open to reasoning and talk.
I had seen this over 20 years ago but did not recall it too well. It's no exaggeration that I thought this movie was absolutely funny in every joke, gag & line and the storyline itself is engaging and made comletely plausible.
Carl Reiner's attempt to disarm the young Russian. Alan Arkin's brilliant bad English with the young Russian constantly correcting him. Carl taking off on a girl's bicycle and his long wobbly ride.
The rampant rumors about the parachutists, the airport being seized and overall panic of the townspeople. Carl & the local phone operator bound & gagged together. Brian Keith as chief of police vs. A gung-ho war veteran.
It's really funny when they get to the airport and find 1 mechanic working on a plane and the veteran sees nothing's happened and Brian Keith & his men almost fall over laughing at him.
The somewhat more serious & poignant aspects come about in Carl finally giving in to the panic and almost killing Arkin's character himself with an automatic gun. Then the climactic scene in the harbor where it's the townspeople vs. The Russian submariners.
The payoff for this standoff is worth either the price you buy or rent it for (or check out from your local library). I wont give it away,unless of course someone else has. Abrilliant and very bold script given the times.
According to Jewison in the extras,the film was screened first for the President and some Washington VIP's and then in the U. S. S. R./ Russia itself. Amazingly, no objections on either side.
Despite being nominated for best picture for 1966, the academy went with "A Man For All Seasons". Arkin was nominated for best actor but since it was his 1st film, no surprise but still, too bad he lost.
10/10 it's excellent! (END)
The people of Gloucester jump (head first) to the conclusion that the Russians are invading them. When all that's happened is they are run aground on sandbar and want to get off of it by borrowing a boat to tow it loose.
Granted they have good reason with these men carrying & pointing weapons, but in that era Americans had become so fearful of Communism they're not so open to reasoning and talk.
I had seen this over 20 years ago but did not recall it too well. It's no exaggeration that I thought this movie was absolutely funny in every joke, gag & line and the storyline itself is engaging and made comletely plausible.
Carl Reiner's attempt to disarm the young Russian. Alan Arkin's brilliant bad English with the young Russian constantly correcting him. Carl taking off on a girl's bicycle and his long wobbly ride.
The rampant rumors about the parachutists, the airport being seized and overall panic of the townspeople. Carl & the local phone operator bound & gagged together. Brian Keith as chief of police vs. A gung-ho war veteran.
It's really funny when they get to the airport and find 1 mechanic working on a plane and the veteran sees nothing's happened and Brian Keith & his men almost fall over laughing at him.
The somewhat more serious & poignant aspects come about in Carl finally giving in to the panic and almost killing Arkin's character himself with an automatic gun. Then the climactic scene in the harbor where it's the townspeople vs. The Russian submariners.
The payoff for this standoff is worth either the price you buy or rent it for (or check out from your local library). I wont give it away,unless of course someone else has. Abrilliant and very bold script given the times.
According to Jewison in the extras,the film was screened first for the President and some Washington VIP's and then in the U. S. S. R./ Russia itself. Amazingly, no objections on either side.
Despite being nominated for best picture for 1966, the academy went with "A Man For All Seasons". Arkin was nominated for best actor but since it was his 1st film, no surprise but still, too bad he lost.
10/10 it's excellent! (END)