Il Silenzio dei prosciutti (The Silence of the Hams) (1994)

0% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
43% of users liked it
(1,334 ratings)

In the tradition of Mel Brooks, this Italian comedy offers an episodic parody of classic thrillers and horror movies. Film includes cameos from several stars including Mel Brooks, John Astin, Larry Storch, Phyllis Diller, John Carpenter, and John Landis. The story begins as director Ezio Greggio is… More In the tradition of Mel Brooks, this Italian comedy offers an episodic parody of classic thrillers and horror movies. Film includes cameos from several stars including Mel Brooks, John Astin, Larry Storch, Phyllis Diller, John Carpenter, and John Landis. The story begins as director Ezio Greggio is being stabbed ala Psycho in his shower. Before he dies he recaps the events leading to his death. The scene was L.A. and FBI rookie Jo Dee Fostar has been assigned to interview psycho inmate Dr. Animal Cannibal Pizza. Meanwhile Fostar's girlfriend swipes $400,000 bucks from her boss and ends up hiding in the Cemetery Hotel, run by Antonio Motel. Inspector Balsam investigates cases of dead hotel victims. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 21 min.
Directed By: Ezio Greggio
Genres: Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Jan 31, 1995
Studio: Cabin Fever Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Clint Morris, Moviehole
A poke in the eye with a knife is more alluring
Fred Topel, About.com
Unfunny spoof. Lacks bite, timing and good ideas.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Horrible wanna-be Airplane type spoof. Only thing worth noting is that it came before 'Scary Movie,' which falls into the same category.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Just painful beyond words.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

If you come up to me and tell me that The Silence of the Hams is one of your favorite screwball comedies then I'll shake your hand and probably buy you a drink. It's one of my favorites too, and one that I hadn't seen in over a decade since it first started airing on… More
If you come up to me and tell me that The Silence of the Hams is one of your favorite screwball comedies then I'll shake your hand and probably buy you a drink. It's one of my favorites too, and one that I hadn't seen in over a decade since it first started airing on HBO. I just recenly saw it and fell in love with it all over again. Sure a lot of the jokes aren't funny, and yes they're pretty cliche'd at times too, but damn is the movie enjoyable. It's a bit of a mish-mash of different horror movies. Most notably Psycho and The Silence of the Lambs, but it also takes a stab at Mel Brooks... literally. There are also cameos by Joe Dante, John Landis and John Carpenter that pop up here and there, basically sealing the deal for me. I'm sad that Ezio Greggio didn't have immediate success with the movie and was allowed to make more of these types of movies. He's pretty good at it. Even if they're not perfect, they're far better than anything that the Wayans brothers and Jason Friedberg & Aaron Seltzer ever put out. Trust me on this.
Cassandra M

As bad as this film may be at least it's not a Wayans travesty. The movie seems to have its own rhythm where you think it's the worst thing ever made and then one line, or cameo, will redeem it and you're pulled back in. The summary line of this review is an example.… More
As bad as this film may be at least it's not a Wayans travesty. The movie seems to have its own rhythm where you think it's the worst thing ever made and then one line, or cameo, will redeem it and you're pulled back in. The summary line of this review is an example. Yes, 'the lady in blue' line is incredibly lame and the visual gags, such as the orchestra playing the score, are clichéd but the film has a reckless charm and Dom DeLuise can't help but be great in anything he does. I'd recommend this to no one in particular. Perhaps, if like me, you were ill in bed and the remote control was out of reach and you were too weak to call for help then watch this film.
Wahida K

Nicht weiter sagen! Shsh <i>Fav bit</i> Mother: My son is alive? Who the f*** did I kill? Dr. Animal: Call me A. Joe: Eh? Dr. Animal: Also call me Doctor. Joe: A Doctor. Dr. Animal: Dr. A. Joe: Right sorry, Dr. A. Dr. Animal: Bingo. Joe: Dr. A. Bingo? Dr. Animal:… More
Nicht weiter sagen! Shsh <i>Fav bit</i> Mother: My son is alive? Who the f*** did I kill? Dr. Animal: Call me A. Joe: Eh? Dr. Animal: Also call me Doctor. Joe: A Doctor. Dr. Animal: Dr. A. Joe: Right sorry, Dr. A. Dr. Animal: Bingo. Joe: Dr. A. Bingo? Dr. Animal: Moving on.

Cast

            Ezio Greggio as Antonio Motel

            Dom DeLuise as Dr. Animal Cannibal Pizza

            Billy Zane as Jo Dee Fostar

            Joanna Pacula as Lily

            Charlene Tilton as Jane

            Martin Balsam as Inspector Balsam

            Mel Brooks as Guest Checking Out

            Stuart Pankin as Pete Putrid

            John Astin as Ranger

            Larry Storch as Sergeant

            Bubba Smith as Olaf

            Rip Taylor as Mr. Laurel

            Phyllis Diller as Old Secretary

            Shelley Winters as Mother

            John Carpenter as Trench Coat Man

            Joe Dante as Dying Man

            Marshall Bell as Cross Dresser Agent

            Jeff Bright as Mummy

            Andre Rosey Brown as Motorcycle Cop

            Lonnie Burr as Drunk

            Debra Christofferson as Misery Woman

            Tony Cox as Dwarf Guard

            Ken Davitian as Pavarotti

            David DeLuise as Policeman #1

            Peter DeLuise as Checkout Guard

            Shelly Desai as Trick

            Eddie Deezen as Video Cameraman

            Dom Irrera as Gas Station Attendant

            Irwin Keyes as Guard

            Lance Kinsey as First Interrogating Officer

            Sal Landi as Second Agent

            Linda Lutz as Housedress Woman

            Jim Maniaci as Rape Culturist 1

            John Roarke as George Bush

            Al Ruscio as Phillip Morris

            Lana Schawb as Nurse

            Ray Serra as Agent Prostitute 1

            Henry Silva as Police Chief

            Kimber Sissons as Push-up Lady

            Nedra Volz as Ranger's Wife

            Wilhelm von Homburg as Maitre 'D

            Jeff Weston as Agent

            Rudy De Luca as Checkout Maniac

            John Landis as FBI Agent

            Heather Elizabeth Parkhurst as Beautiful Woman

            Dan McVicar as Forensic Export

            Allan Lee as Agent

            John Fadule as Policeman

            Manny Molina as Rape Culturist

            Matteo Molinari as Bell Boy

            Robert Muse as Agent Prostitute

            Rino Piccolo as Ambulance Driver

            Pat Rick as Bill Clinton

            Lynn Shirey as Hillary Clinton

            Seifullah Ziyad II as Michael Jackson
See full cast