Les Aventures de Rabbi Jacob (The Adventures of Rabbi Jacob) (The Mad Adventures of 'Rabbi' Jacob) (1973)

89% of users liked it
(4,733 ratings)

This comedy concentrates on the mishaps befalling bigoted Frenchman Louis DeFunes. While en route to his daughter's wedding, the outspoken DeFunes accidentally gets mixed up in an Arab nationalist uprising. Through a bizarre and nearly indescribable combination of events, the fiercely anti-Semitic… More This comedy concentrates on the mishaps befalling bigoted Frenchman Louis DeFunes. While en route to his daughter's wedding, the outspoken DeFunes accidentally gets mixed up in an Arab nationalist uprising. Through a bizarre and nearly indescribable combination of events, the fiercely anti-Semitic DeFunes is forced to disguise himself as a Rabbi. The sociological statements in Mad Adventures of "Rabbi" Jacob, coscripted by director Gerard Oury, are pepped up with heavy slapstick. Initially titled The Adventures of Rabbi Jacob for its American release, this French film had the "Mad" tag attached when audiences evinced a lack of interest in what was perceived to be a religious picture. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Gérard Oury
Written By: Roberto de Leonardis, Josy Eisenberg
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 18, 1973 Wide
On DVD: Apr 13, 2004

Critic Reviews

Phil Hall, Film Threat
A slapstick masterpiece. One of the all-time funniest flicks.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Janice :

Silly Silly Silly! Excessive humour and the most pathetic (yet hilarious) jokes make this my favorite comedy ever (and it's a french film, what a bonus!!!!!) :D Anyone familiar with Louis de Funès will adore this. If you don't know him, well you're missing out on… More
Silly Silly Silly! Excessive humour and the most pathetic (yet hilarious) jokes make this my favorite comedy ever (and it's a french film, what a bonus!!!!!) :D Anyone familiar with Louis de Funès will adore this. If you don't know him, well you're missing out on something! The man can do hilarious facial spasms like no other. Okay so here is what Flixster wrote as the plot: Victor Pivert is a very tolerant man, provided you are white, Catholic, and French. To everyone else, he is a shameless racist, who believes foreigners should go back where they came from. On his way to his daughter's wedding, Victor uncovers a group of scheming Arab revolutionaries. After Victor is discovered, he hides himself by dressing up as a rabbi, leading to one madcap scene after another. Sounds ordinary I know but it had me laughing my life away. The only glitch is I'm afraid this is not the type of comedy everyone enjoys. Weird people like me adore this. But if you're not into randomness or silly humour, then drop it. Don't see this at all. Otherwise it is my duty to recruit you to the Funès Fan Club! P.S. If you can see this in French, it's even better!