Duck Soup

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Duck Soup

1933

1h 10m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When the tiny nation of Freedonia goes bankrupt, its wealthy benefactor, Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont), insists that the wacky Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) become the country's president. Sensing a weakness in leadership, the bordering nation of Sylvania sends in the spies Pinky (Harpo Marx) and Chicolini (Chico Marx) to set the stage for a revolution. As Firefly clashes with the Sylvanian ambassador (Louis Calhern), plenty of mayhem ensues, and the countries verge on all-out war.

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Critics Consensus

Fueled by inspired silliness and blessed with some of the Marx brothers' most brilliant work, Duck Soup is one of its -- or any -- era's finest comedies.

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Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

01/16/2015

4/5

It turns out that the sharp-tongued humour of Groucho Marx is ageless, the slapstick timely and the subject matter still pertinent: loony dictatorship, religion, pointless warfare.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

01/15/2015

5/5

The sheer silliness is inspired ...

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David Jenkins

Little White Lies

01/15/2015

3/5

Questioning the canonical standing of a titan such as Duck Soup seems like an exercise in questioning the tastes of those who like it rather than the upbraiding the comedy mechanics of the film itself.

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

11/17/2023

5/5

Duck Soup is the greatest Marx Brothers comedy of all time.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

11/12/2023

4/4

True movie fans haven’t lived until they’ve caught this outrageous satire.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/20/2022

5/5

There’s no dense or intricate narrative in the film. It’s simply a basic story that allows Groucho, Harpo, and Chico to showcase their comedic chaos.

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debbie r

@Keepthefaith Jan 1

One of my favourite Marx Brothers’ films.

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Barclay T.

@Barclay Dec 26

The best of the Marx Brothers

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Harrison B

@emailaddress Dec 19

Hilarious jokes mixed with incredibly slow pacing, boring dance numbers, and an irrelevant plot. Like all of their movies!

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Ben N

@Bneffer Oct 5

This movie is a classic. I recall liking this as a kid, but it is so dated. The core messages are relevant, but the style of humor has not lasted well and doesn't appeal to me at all anymore as an adult.

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D M

@JoeyBidunce 07/14/2025

Now I know where The Wizard of Oz got their set ideas. But this film is a mess.

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Isaiah Y

@zayman2 07/09/2025

Classic Marx Brothers film that's a must-watch for any fan of comedies

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Leo McCarey

Director

Groucho Marx

Rufus T. Firefly

Harpo Marx

Pinky

Chico Marx

Chicolini

Zeppo Marx

Lt. Bob Roland

Margaret Dumont

Mrs. Gloria Teasdale

Duck Soup: Official Clip - The Mirror Scene

2:48

Duck Soup: Official Clip - I Object!

1:22

Duck Soup: Official Clip - To War

2:58

Duck Soup: Official Clip - The Laws of My Administration

2:06

Duck Soup: Official Clip - I Was Gonna Ask for the Whole Wig

1:16

Duck Soup: Official Clip - This Means War!

1:55

Duck Soup: Official Clip - Working His Magic

1:58

Duck Soup: Official Clip - The Lemonade Vendor

2:57

Duck Soup: Official Clip - Without a Word

1:42

Duck Soup: Official Clip - These Are My Spies

1:35

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Synopsis

When the tiny nation of Freedonia goes bankrupt, its wealthy benefactor, Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont), insists that the wacky Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) become the country's president. Sensing a weakness in leadership, the bordering nation of Sylvania sends in the spies Pinky (Harpo Marx) and Chicolini (Chico Marx) to set the stage for a revolution. As Firefly clashes with the Sylvanian ambassador (Louis Calhern), plenty of mayhem ensues, and the countries verge on all-out war.

Director: Leo McCarey
Producer: Herman J. Mankiewicz
Distributor: MCA/Universal Home Video, Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 1933, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 3, 2015
Runtime: 1h 10m
Sound Mix: Mono