High Anxiety (1978)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Melvin W

  
  Dr. Charles Montague: Enjoy yourself, for God's sake! Get your mind off the Wentworth murder... Accident! Accident!  "A Psycho-Comedy" High Anxiety is a really stupid, moderately funny Hitchcock spoof. This isn't one of Mel Brooks better films. It doesn't… More
  Dr. Charles Montague: Enjoy yourself, for God's sake! Get your mind off the Wentworth murder... Accident! Accident!  "A Psycho-Comedy" High Anxiety is a really stupid, moderately funny Hitchcock spoof. This isn't one of Mel Brooks better films. It doesn't touch his classics like Blazing Saddles or Young Frankenstein, but it is much better than his bottom dweller Dracula: Dead and Loving It. This one works just enough for me because of the subject matter. I am a huge Alfred Hitchcock fan; just like everyone else who is familiar with his work. So a spoof of some of his most legendary films and scenes was, at the very least, going to be interesting. While I think Brooks could have done a much better job with the material, it was still decent enough.  The highlights of the film are two scenes that are reenacted from two different Hitchcock films. The first being the shower scene from Psycho and the second being the birds landing behind the woman from The Birds. Both brilliant scenes are taken and used in the most ridiculous context imaginable. Watch the scenes and you'll know what I mean. They definitely aren't smart comedy, but smart comedy was never what Brooks was selling; and that's what makes him such a genius I guess. This should be good enough if you are a fan of Brooks' brand of comedy. It would also help if you are familiar with Hitchcock because if not, a lot of the references and comedy will be lost on you. Still it's a little disappointing just because I wanted a Young Frankenstein caliber film from Brooks when he was working with Hitchcock's films as his material. 

• Alexander D

  
  Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke (Mel Brooks) is a well-known psychiatrist suffering from what his own doctor calls "high anxiety," one of the many recurring references to the titular psychiatric condition in Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller VERTIGO. After being appointed… More
  Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke (Mel Brooks) is a well-known psychiatrist suffering from what his own doctor calls "high anxiety," one of the many recurring references to the titular psychiatric condition in Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller VERTIGO. After being appointed as the head of the Psychoneurotic Institute for the Very, VERY Nervous, he is framed for murder and must face his condition. Even if there was not a title card in the very beginning of the film to tell us so, it would still be clear that this is Mel Brooks's look at Alfred Hitchcock, the Master of Suspense. Though the plot pokes fun at VERTIGO, there are many notable sequences that work as spoofs of other films directed by Hitchcock, such as the nonsensical PSYCHO scenes and the scatological parody of THE BIRDS. Music, as always for Brooks, is a key component to this spoof. Remember the scene in PSYCHO when Marion is driving in the rain away from her boss, and we hear the driving violin music? There is a scene from HIGH ANXIETY that is a direct copy, only instead of us hearing the violin music, the radio is turned on. In another scene, we see Brooks's eyes bulge in surprise and hear suspenseful music. At first we actually do believe that Mel Brooks is using Hitchcock's corny suspense methods, but within less than five seconds the chord transitions into pep rally music, and we see Brooks's character turn to look at a bus on the other side of the road, filled with people carrying band instruments. The most important part about HIGH ANXIETY is that if you have not seen Hitchcock or you have not appreciated any of his films, skip it. This film was most likely constructed out of inside jokes for those who understood Alfred Hitchcock. Otherwise, I would highly recommend watching it, as for an overlooked film, it's quite decent.

• AJ V

  
  Another hilarious spoof comedy from Brooks, this one spoofs Hitchcock's films, and it's very effective. If you like Brook's films, check it out.

• Thomas B

  
  Hitchcock parody film with Mel Brooks. Full review later.

• Randy T

  
  Mel Brooks' homage to Hitchcock that hits a little more than it misses. Cloris Leachman is at the top of her game, stealing every scene she's in. Funny stuff.

• Tim S

  
  I loved this movie. Mel Brook's Hitchcock send-up is marvelous.

• danny d

  
  mel brooks meets alfred hitchcock in this spoof comedy that smartly pokes fun at the main themes and iconic moments of the master of suspense. a bit slow at times but an overall fun film for any fan of brooks and hitchcock.

• Aaron N

  
  Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke: What a dramatic airport! A funny Mel Brooks parody film, centered around Alfred Hitchcock thrillers. Brooks stars as Richard H. Thorndyke, a celebrated psychiatrist, who has just been put in charge of the Institute for the Very Very Nervous. He soon finds… More
  Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke: What a dramatic airport! A funny Mel Brooks parody film, centered around Alfred Hitchcock thrillers. Brooks stars as Richard H. Thorndyke, a celebrated psychiatrist, who has just been put in charge of the Institute for the Very Very Nervous. He soon finds that things are not the way they should be as suspicious activities start to occur and foul play is suspected. All of the Brooks' film regulars show up here, including Cloris Leachman, stretching her face throughout as the evil Nurse Diesel, Harvey Korman, Dick Van Patten, and my favorite, Madeline Kahn as the Hitchcock Blonde, Victoria. Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke: What's your sign? Victoria Brisbane: I'm sorry. It's... unlisted. There are a plethora of Hitchcock films being parodied, with obvious takeoffs from The Birds, Psycho, Vertigo, Suspicion, and North by Northwest. This is all easily done through names, scenes, and references, but it is all handled very well, and is consistently funny. It even makes sure to acknowledge the "drama" unfolding by breaking the fourth wall on occasion to recognize the over-the-top music cues. It may not be in the same league as Blazing Saddles or Young Frankenstein, but it is still an entertaining movie, with a number of hysterically funny sequences. Victoria: Have you seen my father at the Institute? Is he all right? Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke: He's fine, he's fine. He's coming along just fine. He's very affectionate. He licked me. Victoria: He what? Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke: Well, he thinks he's a dog these days. Victoria: A dog? Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke: A dog, yes.

• Lafe F

  
  Mel Brooks take on Hitchcock films, plus a few others. It was fun to watch.

• xGary X

  
  One of Brooks' better spoofs, this affectionate pastiche of Hitchcock will probably go right over the heads of non-aficionados, but fans of Hitch will have great fun spotting the references and in-jokes.

• Cindy I

  
  Mel Brooks' spoof of Hitckcock isn't nearly as good as Young Frankenstein or even Blazing Saddles.

• Byron B

  
  An uneven comedy. Some scenes will give you a few chuckles. During my second viewing of this movie I couldn't help but smile when the camera dollies into the window. The scenes that spoof the Psycho shower attach and The Birds attach are fun, but the build up is usually a mess.… More
  An uneven comedy. Some scenes will give you a few chuckles. During my second viewing of this movie I couldn't help but smile when the camera dollies into the window. The scenes that spoof the Psycho shower attach and The Birds attach are fun, but the build up is usually a mess. Many of the shots recreate familiar scenes from Hitchcock classics, but in order for Mel Brooks to squeeze all the locations and characters in, the plot and filler between the jokes make little sense. Brooks' movies in which he stars and directs prove to be weaker than when he gives the focus to one of his regular funny collaborators.

• Daniel D

  
  High Anxiety is a wonderful Mel brooks film. It wasn't one of those where you were cracking up the whole time (which people expect from a Mel Brooks movie) but it was one of those that had a lot of witty quotes and one of the best Story lines you've seen in a Brooks film

• Christopher O

  
  In a slightly less funny spoof, Brooks takes on Hitchcock and the lead role as Dr. Richard Thorndyke who goes undercover at a mental hospital with weird going ons are going on. Cloris Leachman and Harvey Korman are funny as usual and there are great gags but compared to some of his… More
  In a slightly less funny spoof, Brooks takes on Hitchcock and the lead role as Dr. Richard Thorndyke who goes undercover at a mental hospital with weird going ons are going on. Cloris Leachman and Harvey Korman are funny as usual and there are great gags but compared to some of his early stuff it does pale in comparison.

• Alec B

  
  Not only is it not a good movie its also a poor spoof of Hitchcock. There are a few moments throughout that are funny but overall it falls flat on its face.

• Audrey L

  
  Hey Flixster friends! Just logged on to find many many messages. I've been MIA for a while-busy with life and other slings and arrows.Will try my best to get back to everyone-but it's gonna take some time... Great movie by the way! Finally saw Valkyrie-what a self… More
  Hey Flixster friends! Just logged on to find many many messages. I've been MIA for a while-busy with life and other slings and arrows.Will try my best to get back to everyone-but it's gonna take some time... Great movie by the way! Finally saw Valkyrie-what a self indulgent piece of crap-all those intense close ups of the Tom Cruise-gag...

• Eduardo C

  
  Probably Mel Brooks' most underrated film. He nails the Hichcock aesthetic perfectly and uses it to great effect during some of the more anarchic gags.

• alan j

  
  classic Mel Brooks comedy..this time spoofing Hitchcock...good solid cast..enjoyable if you are into his humor and can stand Mel's screen presence

• Buddy A

  
  Those who are tardy will not get fruit cup.

Read all 19 featured audience ratings