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The Producers (12A)   134 mins

Mel Brooks's original film was made in 1967, then came the 2002 stage musical version, and now we have the film of the musical.  The story is well known by now: failing theatre producer Max Bialystock (Nathan Lane)  and his accountant Leo Bloom (Matthew Broderick) hatch a plot to put on the worst show ever.  They will make sure that it is over-financed by its backers - and Max has a whole string of amorous old widows more than willing to part with their wealth.  When it flops, as it is certain to do, they will decamp with the money.  They find a suitably appalling script - a musical celebration of Hitler - , hire a talentless director and gleefully prepare for the show to be a resounding failure.  Only of course it isn't; it becomes the camp success of the season.  Uma Thurman puts in a fabulous performance as Ulla, Max's Swedish assistant. 

"Lane is irresistibly ebullient as the failing theatre producer Max Bialystock."  Tiscali UK

www.sonypictures.co.uk/movies/theproducers

Last modified: 20-Jun-2008

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