What's Opera, Doc? (1957)

88% of users liked it
(189 ratings)

One of the most beloved of all Warner Brothers cartoons, What's Opera Doc? re-imagines the Elmer Fudd versus Bugs Bunny conflict as a German opera, complete with expressionist sets, tragic romance, and a majestic chorus of "Kill the wabbit!" Director Chuck Jones and writer Michael Maltese combine… More One of the most beloved of all Warner Brothers cartoons, What's Opera Doc? re-imagines the Elmer Fudd versus Bugs Bunny conflict as a German opera, complete with expressionist sets, tragic romance, and a majestic chorus of "Kill the wabbit!" Director Chuck Jones and writer Michael Maltese combine the usual wisecrack humor with a real appreciation of the classical form, crafting a loving parody of Wagner's Ring Cycle that manages to condense the massive four-opera work into a single, seven-minute story of a hunter, a rabbit, and a spear and magic helmet. Elmer takes on the Siegfried role, planning to use the magic armor to capture the rabbit. However, Bugs, as always, has countless schemes to foil Elmer -- including posing as his true love, the warrior maiden Brunhilde. When Elmer discovers this deception, however, he uses the full force of his magic to call up the power of the weather -- including winds, hurricanes, and the worst horror of all, smog. But for a few comic asides, all the dialogue is sung. Brilliant voice characterizations, wonderfully designed backgrounds, and smart writing all combine, under Jones' guidance, to create a hilarious classic. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated,
Directed By: Chuck Jones
Genres: Animation, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jul 6, 1957 Wide

Critic Reviews

Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central
By the end it's difficult to say whether Jones is lampooning Fantasia or merely envious of it.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Kill the wabbit, kill the wabbit... one of the best cartoons ever ever!!
Matthew Y

Voted as the greatest cartoon ever made and Bugs Bunny's magnum opus. For me it is second to Duck Amuck but whatever. The film consists of Bugs eluding and irritating Elmer Fudd set to scenes and scores from Richard Wagner's famous operas. The ending is one of the more… More
Voted as the greatest cartoon ever made and Bugs Bunny's magnum opus. For me it is second to Duck Amuck but whatever. The film consists of Bugs eluding and irritating Elmer Fudd set to scenes and scores from Richard Wagner's famous operas. The ending is one of the more emotional moments one will ever find in a Warner Brothers Looney Tunes cartoon. They really play up the idea that a grieving Fudd has indeed killed the poor wittle wabbit. Of course in the final second Bugs looks at the camera and mutters his famous line "Ain't I a stinker?". Classic!
Dimitris S

Delirious,blasphemous and yet ravishingly innovative! Inspired by the likes of slapstick stars,musical numbers (did i forget to say the obvious William tell reference),there's not exactly a happy ending rather a diversion of functioned tragedy...and Mel Blanc drives the vehicle… More
Delirious,blasphemous and yet ravishingly innovative! Inspired by the likes of slapstick stars,musical numbers (did i forget to say the obvious William tell reference),there's not exactly a happy ending rather a diversion of functioned tragedy...and Mel Blanc drives the vehicle of lunacy! Rossini would have loved this for sure.

Cast

Mel Blanc
as Brunhilde
Arthur Q. Bryan
as Elmer Fudd

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What's Opera, Doc? (1957)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Matthew Y

Dimitris S

Cast

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