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To Be or Not to Be

Play trailer 1:20 Poster for To Be or Not to Be 1942 1h 39m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Acting couple Joseph (Jack Benny) and Maria Tura (Carole Lombard) are managing a theatrical troupe when the Nazis invade Poland. Maria is having an affair with Lieutenant Sobinski (Robert Stack), who suspects Professor Siletsky (Stanley Ridges) is a Nazi spy. With Siletsky in possession of a list of members of the Polish resistance, the Turas' company takes action. Using their skill for impersonation, Joseph and company must confuse the Nazis and stop Siletsky from handing over the list.
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To Be or Not to Be

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Critics Consensus

A complex and timely satire with as much darkness as slapstick, Ernst Lubitsch's To Be or Not To Be delicately balances humor and ethics.

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Critics Reviews

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Kat Sachs Chicago Reader Sep 12, 2025
The humor is so dark, but as in any Lubitsch film, it’s delivered still so elegantly. Go to Full Review Michael Blowen Boston Globe May 17, 2023
The running gags, swift direction, and concise script makes it the best comedy about Fascism since Chaplin's The Great Dictator. Go to Full Review Richard Brody The New Yorker Jul 5, 2022
The film’s high purpose propels Lubitsch to unsurpassed extremes of inventive audacity. Go to Full Review Daniel Barnes Dare Daniel Oct 30, 2025
4/5
A funny, gutsy piss-take that deftly navigates a tonal minefield. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Jul 1, 2023
It took the mix of grace, sex, and slapstick energy that makes up the Lubitsch touch to create the funniest film ever made about the German invasion of Poland. Go to Full Review Hannah Brown Jerusalem Post May 2, 2022
It stars Jack Benny, one of the great Jewish-American comedians of the 20th century, and Carole Lombard, a wonderful screwball comedian, as well as Robert Stack and Sig Ruman. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kyle M @RT77296778 Jul 26, 2026 Cautiously perceived in satirically humorous form through a baselessly convoluted plot. (B) See more Blake- N @PBSAniDom May 18, 2026 To Be or Not to Be (1942) is an amazing film that perfectly blends comedy, satire, and drama in a way that still feels impressive today. Even decades later, the writing remains sharp, clever, and surprisingly bold for its time. The performances are excellent across the board, especially from the lead actors, who bring both humor and charm to every scene. The movie balances serious themes with witty dialogue so naturally that it never feels forced or uncomfortable. What makes the film stand out most is how fearless and intelligent it is. It manages to be funny while also carrying real tension and emotion underneath the comedy. Very few films are able to mix those tones this successfully. Overall, To Be or Not to Be is a timeless classic that deserves all of its praise. It is smart, entertaining, and incredibly memorable from beginning to end. I easily give it a 10/10. See more Marcos David C @Cukierkorn Sep 3, 2025 Best comedy script Melhor roteiro de comédia See more Revolver 0 @Revolver08 Apr 19, 2025 shakespearean inglourious basterds See more Martijn t @RT86920254 Feb 22, 2025 It gets good when they get into the snappy 40s oneliners, but it consists mostly of a lot of farcical stuff with fake moustaches, like a long episode of 'Allo 'Allo. Carole Lombard's silver dress is amazing though, no denying that. See more Roger D @RT66191917 Jan 29, 2025 A comedic masterpiece. Jack Benny was a brilliant comedic actor and Carole Lombard was terrific also. The supporting cast was good. See more Read all reviews
To Be or Not to Be

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Cast & Crew

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Ernst Lubitsch

Director

Carole Lombard

Maria Tura

Jack Benny

Joseph Tura

Robert Stack

Lt. Stanislav Sobinski

Felix Bressart

Greenberg

Lionel Atwill

Rawitch

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To Be or Not to Be

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To Be or Not to Be

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Movie Info

Synopsis Acting couple Joseph (Jack Benny) and Maria Tura (Carole Lombard) are managing a theatrical troupe when the Nazis invade Poland. Maria is having an affair with Lieutenant Sobinski (Robert Stack), who suspects Professor Siletsky (Stanley Ridges) is a Nazi spy. With Siletsky in possession of a list of members of the Polish resistance, the Turas' company takes action. Using their skill for impersonation, Joseph and company must confuse the Nazis and stop Siletsky from handing over the list.
Director
Ernst Lubitsch
Producer
Ernst Lubitsch
Screenwriter
Melchior Lengyel, Ernst Lubitsch, Edwin Justis Mayer
Distributor
Warner Home Vídeo, United Artists
Production Co
Ernst Lubitsch-Film
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 6, 1942, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 15, 2020
Runtime
1h 39m
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