The Court Jester (1956)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jens S

  
  Danny Kaye's mistaken identity comedy set on the medieval British court is nothing less than one of the funniest films of all times. Sure, it starts out slowly and with a couple of old-fashioned yet catchy musical pieces. But once things are moving and the innocent bard starts… More
  Danny Kaye's mistaken identity comedy set on the medieval British court is nothing less than one of the funniest films of all times. Sure, it starts out slowly and with a couple of old-fashioned yet catchy musical pieces. But once things are moving and the innocent bard starts playing the court jester's role, it's a joy to watch the mix-ups, puns and jokes that come with it. That's so cleverly written and charming that you can't help but smile for 90 minutes. It also helps that Danny Kaye is simply incredibly funny, with the sped-up knighting process and poisoned goblet sequence being the outrageous highlights. The old castle and ramparts sets from the classic knight adventures of that era are oozing with nostalgia. During the hilarious showdown things get particularly wacky and hilarious. You just have to love a film where dwarfs juggle grown men on their feet and the hero's fencing skills depend on a snap of the fingers. And you know you've just watched a feel good film when even the evil king sings along to the happy ending tune. A timeless masterpiece of comedy.

• Lady D

  
  [Rewatch] I film I loved as a child and this is my first viewing since and was full of Nostalgia for me. No doubt about it that Danny Kaye was a great showman and he was very entertaining throughout. Clever witty songs, along with some great comical scenes such as the Vessel with… More
  [Rewatch] I film I loved as a child and this is my first viewing since and was full of Nostalgia for me. No doubt about it that Danny Kaye was a great showman and he was very entertaining throughout. Clever witty songs, along with some great comical scenes such as the Vessel with the Pestle. A feel good film.

• Ken S

  
  Good old fashion fun. They jump the shark a little when the midget circus comes to the rescue, but the final sword fight is makes up for it. and Angela Lansbury used to be HOT!

• moon r

  
  the tongue twisters in one scene will keep you in stitches for awhile

• xGary X

  
  Good natured vaudevillean slapstick swashbuckler from the old school, Danny Kaye was one of my favourites as a kid. It probably all looks very lame in today's cynical times, but I'd like to see it again for old times' sake.

• jay n

  
  Danny Kaye's best

• Jeremy S

  
  The Court Jester is a comic classic, with its hillarious plot, take off of the medieval genre and manic performance by the great comedian Danny Kaye. A garrenteed barrel of laughs that the whole family can enjoy. Get it, got it, good.

• Mike N

  
  My bi-annual participation in this thing has again resurfaced. Battle of the Posters... time to vote, people. Apparently my round is already almost over and I barely even caught it (still in China - returning tomorrow - if I win, I post Tibet pics. If I lose... well, I'd better… More
  My bi-annual participation in this thing has again resurfaced. Battle of the Posters... time to vote, people. Apparently my round is already almost over and I barely even caught it (still in China - returning tomorrow - if I win, I post Tibet pics. If I lose... well, I'd better not lose. Facing a fellow RT veteran in [b]TaxiDriver[/b], but my tremendous coolness should prevail, though it be underspoken. Come, vote, be happy.): http://www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/showthread.php?t=546568

• Marion R

  
  I really liked it. The songs can be a little lengthy, but overall it's a good fun watch.

• hawk l

  
  Wonderfully deconstructing the swashbuckler genre, poking fun at the films of Errol Flynn in particular, and featuring one of Danny Kaye's best performances, a catalogue of satirical delights, highlighted by Kaye's "pellet with the Poison" bit.

Read all 10 featured audience ratings