Duck Soup (1933)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Greg S

  
  Rufus T. Firefly is announced as the new leader of bankrupt Freedonia, but will his penchant for insulting everyone he meets ignite a war? Anarchic, consistently funny (almost every single line Groucho utters is an instant classic), lightlky satirical, and it features the famous… More
  Rufus T. Firefly is announced as the new leader of bankrupt Freedonia, but will his penchant for insulting everyone he meets ignite a war? Anarchic, consistently funny (almost every single line Groucho utters is an instant classic), lightlky satirical, and it features the famous mirror sequence; probably the greatest of all the Marx Brothers movies.

• Tsubaki S

  
  Best Marx bros film, both a political satire and a non-stop marathon of slapstick and verbal humour. Rufus T Firefly's lines are hillarious and very quotable.

• Kevin C

  
  The final 20 minutes are astonishingly hilarious, with the majority of this 70 minute slapstick satire spewing a never-ending stream of clever wordplay and inventive physical comedy. It's fun to watch, but the enjoyment factor in this modern age totally relies on either having a… More
  The final 20 minutes are astonishingly hilarious, with the majority of this 70 minute slapstick satire spewing a never-ending stream of clever wordplay and inventive physical comedy. It's fun to watch, but the enjoyment factor in this modern age totally relies on either having a respect for the art of comedy or thinking that old movies are really cute.

• ♥Robyn

  
  well i am going to gush over this one, and yes despite the fact that this film is over 70 years old, it is still absolutely hilarious, in my opinion..

• AJ V

  
  Oh, this is such a great spoof of war and governments at the time. Can you imagine Groucho Marx being in charge of a country? It's really funny. The only thing I didn't like was the songs, they were a bit annoying. Overall a fun movie.

• Alice S

  
  My first Marx Brothers movie and I can't say I'm completely sold. Either every Groucho Marx impression I've ever heard is overexaggerated, or I hear at different frequencies or something. I assumed Groucho would sound twangy and nasal like the Vlasic Pickle stork, but… More
  My first Marx Brothers movie and I can't say I'm completely sold. Either every Groucho Marx impression I've ever heard is overexaggerated, or I hear at different frequencies or something. I assumed Groucho would sound twangy and nasal like the Vlasic Pickle stork, but he's actually quite flat. I suppose he's more known as a comic and not an actor, but if I were to rate him as an actor, I'd say he delivers the cheeky one-liners without motivation. Chico and Harpo are charming though. The mirror scene is excellent.

• Tim S

  
  Much much funnier than the previous Marx Bros. flicks I've seen so far.

• xGary X

  
  A wealthy widow blackmails the government of Freedonia into appointing wise cracking shyster Rufus T. Firefly as president and the country is almost immediately at war. Duck Soup is probably the ultimate example of the Marx brothers' brand of knockabout comedy. It's still… More
  A wealthy widow blackmails the government of Freedonia into appointing wise cracking shyster Rufus T. Firefly as president and the country is almost immediately at war. Duck Soup is probably the ultimate example of the Marx brothers' brand of knockabout comedy. It's still virtually plotless, but the ideas gel together much more fluently than most, there is a perfect balance between slapstick and one liners and they managed to keep Harpo and Chico away from musical instruments meaning it keeps its momentum right til the end. Zeppo still sucks but thankfully he is hardly in it, the songs are kept to a minimum but have a large scale spectacle and funny lines and Louis Calhern as the bad guy gives it some thespian weight missing from most of the others. Highlights include Harpo's running battle with a lemonade seller that's straight out of Laurel and Hardy, Groucho's usual exasperation with Chico and the worst-spies-ever scene when they all dress up as Groucho (including the original mirror sketch). Hailed by many as the best Marx brothers film, and I can't find any major reason to argue.

• Anthony L

  
  I wouldn't sat Duck Soup is the funniest Marx brothers film but it does have some of their best moments, such as the Mirror scene and the final battle. Groucho is at his best but Harpo, my second favourite, is better in some of their other, earlier work. Still, very funny film!

• Jon L

  
  It took me a while to get into this one but by the end I was laughing out loud. Very funy, in any era.

• Mike S

  
  Duck Soup is a comedic masterpiece in epic proportions. This the last films featuring Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo and it is their finest. It is the story of newly appointed dictator Rufus T. Firefly, Groucho. Actually, the plot doesn't matter. It's the characters that… More
  Duck Soup is a comedic masterpiece in epic proportions. This the last films featuring Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo and it is their finest. It is the story of newly appointed dictator Rufus T. Firefly, Groucho. Actually, the plot doesn't matter. It's the characters that make the movie. The Marx Brothers have perfected every aspect of their personas. Groucho is the wise cracking, bushy browed lead with the painted on mustache, and Chico and Harpo portray the most unique partners as the mute and fake Italian. Their timing and brilliance is perfect. It is rare that every joke in a film is funny. This movie has that. Each joke works. No comedic team will ever be The Marx Brothers. More will Come Later.

• Corey W

  
  You wanna see a hilarious movie, then watch this. Yes, its old. And yes, its pretty confusing to understand what its about, but it is thee FUNIEST movie ever! I dont think any comedy in the world could top this movie.

• John H

  
  You don't need to follow the story or understand the plot to enjoy this movie. it's filled with humor that will keep you entertained until the very end. it's humor is so literal and quirky which made it really fun to watch. The funniest movies i have ever seen.

• Aaron N

  
  Rufus T. Firefly: You're a brave man. Go and break through the lines. And remember, while you're out there risking your life and limb through shot and shell, we'll be in be in here thinking what a sucker you are. Another wonderfully funny Marx Brothers movie.… More
  Rufus T. Firefly: You're a brave man. Go and break through the lines. And remember, while you're out there risking your life and limb through shot and shell, we'll be in be in here thinking what a sucker you are. Another wonderfully funny Marx Brothers movie. Featuring all four brothers, this time Groucho becomes leader of a country only to provoke another leader into going into war against him. Mrs. Teasdale: As chairman of the reception committee, I welcome you with open arms. Rufus T. Firefly: Is that so? How late do you stay open? Chico and Harpo are also around as spies against Groucho, while Zeppo serves as an assistant to Groucho. The plot of course, does not really matter, because its all setup for hilarity coming from Groucho's zingers, the plays on words from Chico, and the physical comedy from Harpo. The movie is very funny, with a couple of key sequences that are absolutely hilarious. Rufus T. Firefly: Now, what is it that has four pairs of pants, lives in Philadelphia, and it never rains but it pours? Chicolini: Atsa good one. I give you three guesses. Rufus T. Firefly: Now let me see. Has four pair of pants, lives in Philadelphia... Is it male or female? Chicolini: No, I no think so. Rufus T. Firefly: Is he dead? Chicolini: Who? Rufus T. Firefly: I don't know. I give up. Chicolini: I give up, too.

• Jennifer X

  
  I liked A Night at the Opera better, but I've decided I don't really like the Marx Brothers that much. But then again who am I to judge. The only thing I find hilarious is American Pie.

• Steve K

  
  One of the funniest movies I've ever seen.

• Michael G

  
  The best Marx Bros movie. Hilarious, quick and witty. The mirror scene is a riot!

• Jeremy S

  
  The best Marx Brothers comedy and one of the funniest films ever. The war between Freedonia and Sylvania. Made in the height of the Depression as a great way to escape from your troubles and it is just the same way today. This Marx Brothers comedy is basically a satirical attack on… More
  The best Marx Brothers comedy and one of the funniest films ever. The war between Freedonia and Sylvania. Made in the height of the Depression as a great way to escape from your troubles and it is just the same way today. This Marx Brothers comedy is basically a satirical attack on politics and the absurdity of war. Most memorable scene, of the mirror image. "Remember, we're fighting for this woman's honor, which is probably more than she ever did."

• Dillon L

  
  Some people have said that the politics in this movie are very flawed. I've never let politics effect the way I look at a film, so with that I'll say, fucking hilarious. I get quite the kick out of the scenes with Harpo Marx, but Groucho is pretty funny too.

• Ryan M

  
  **** out of **** If the Marx Brothers can't make you laugh, then I don't know who - or what - can. Since the beginning of time, comedy cinema has been dominated by the purely physical comics, some of whom mixed a little bit of verbal humor into their mix; the brothers… More
  **** out of **** If the Marx Brothers can't make you laugh, then I don't know who - or what - can. Since the beginning of time, comedy cinema has been dominated by the purely physical comics, some of whom mixed a little bit of verbal humor into their mix; the brothers were such people. While they were in their prime, they had many fine films; although I feel that "Duck Soup" is among the most important, if not the most important, period. Inside this delightful confectionary; you shall find some of the most relevant, hilarious commentary on politics, people, and their respective social classes alike - as well as a few of cinema's greatest sight gags and spoken insults. The film is a perfect representation of when comedy was neither too crude nor too subtle; it's funny enough to charm even the sourest, most cynical of viewers, so long as the person is open-minded to comedy that today might feel just a tad bit dated. "Duck Soup" is a straight-up satire of the people that might be leading our nations as we speak; it portrays the ruling class to be at the intelligence level of an underdeveloped ape. The story is simple and very easy to follow. Here's how I would put it: the nations of Freedonia and Sylvania are to wage war against one another. Or at least that's what their collective, current situations seem to suggest. Freedonia has just appointed a new dictator/ruler; by the name of Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx). On first sight, Firefly is far too arrogant to run a country, and don't let that fool you; he really isn't cut out for the job. The leader of Sylvania, Trentino (Louis Calhern), is of much higher intelligence. He is worried that Firefly will get in the way of his plans to take over the opposing country of Freedonia; and he actually believes that his wits have been matched with the newest addition to the long-running list of rulers. Of course, he is wrong; but given this is a war satire, there must be coverage of the ever-infamous paranoia of leaders and those who simply follow them. Out of his paranoia, Trentino hires two spies - Chicolini (Chico Marx) and Pinky (Harpo Marx) - neither of them consistent enough to retrieve the information from Firefly that Trentino so eagerly desires. As you can see, "Duck Soup" is not a film that was remembered for its plot. It's a short movie (running at about only 70 minutes), but it makes every second count. The Marx Brothers infuse their signature wit into the story, making it worthwhile; although it's the satire and commentary that counts, not so-much the structure of the plot. You want complexity; you should look elsewhere. But why should you expect such a thing out of classic comedy? In a sense, the comedy itself is meant to have multiple layers rather than the story that contains it; which is fine by me, so long as the intent to provoke laughter is not sacrificed. While the characters portrayed by the Brothers and their co-stars are memorable and cleverly-written, I think what most people will take out of the movie is the plethora of memorable scenes to be unearthed when one approaches it. There are a few scenes in particular that I feel most people will not soon forget; such as one involving the spies operating a peanut vendor-stand, only to pick fights with the competition in the business, and another in which Firefly walks the premises of his home in nightgown; while the spies linger nearby, also donning similar clothes. The scene is made instantly memorable when Firefly's mirror first comes into view; Pinky (dressed as Firefly) runs into it and it breaks on contact, although when the real Firefly approaches the scene, he's able to trick him by making him think that he's seeing himself in an un-broke mirror. I suppose it proves that the dimwitted spies have one thing going for them: consistency. Then, of course, there is the war scene that ends the film; a showcase of some early special effects work (such as a bullet that goes through walls, and a house that explodes), and also the home of some of the film's other scenes worth mentioning. For example: who can forget the "help" montage? If you've seen the film, then you know what I'm talking about; on the battlefield, Firefly calls in for assistance, and we get prolonged images of squad cars, elephants, baboons, athletic swimmers, and track runners. There's a surprising sense of relevance that this scene alone brings to the film; the kind that hasn't changed to this day. So there, you see; "Duck Soup" has not aged entirely. But in my opinion, "age" should not be a complaint of any cinephile. Greatness is forever. I loved every minute of "Duck Soup". You'll likely laugh until you cry when you watch it; this is a very, very funny film. From the wise-cracking Firefly to the uptight Trentino, it's filled with fun characters and humor that can range from potentially offensive (mostly to woman; not much racially or otherwise that could cause alarm) to jokes that are very easy to swallow. It's one of the best comedies reliant on what we see, hear, and feel; and I think that it broke a lot of ground for the future of comic filmmaking. And whether you acknowledge that or not is completely up to whether you buy in to the Marx Brothers' grand feathered brew.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings