Duck Soup
Duck Soup

Duck Soup

1933Movie68 minEnglish

Rufus T. Firefly is named president/dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of wealthy Mrs. Teasdale.

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Insights

IMDb7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes96% (24 reviews)
Metacritic95/100
Google Users93% liked this movie
Director: Leo McCareyGenres: Comedy, War

Plot Summary

The small, impoverished nation of Freedonia is in financial straits and needs a new leader. Rufus T. Firefly is appointed as the new leader by the wealthy Mrs. Teasdale, much to the dismay of the neighboring country of Sylvania, whose ambassador is trying to buy Freedonia. Firefly's absurd and chaotic leadership style quickly plunges the nation into war with Sylvania, leading to a series of hilarious and nonsensical events.

Critical Reception

Duck Soup is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedies ever made and a masterpiece of the Marx Brothers' filmography. Critics and audiences alike have praised its relentless pace, ingenious wordplay, and anarchic humor. Despite its initial mixed reception, its status as a satirical masterpiece and a benchmark for comedic filmmaking has solidified over time.

What Reviewers Say

  • Hilariously anarchic and brimming with unforgettable gags.
  • A masterful display of Marx Brothers' comedic genius and sharp political satire.
  • Its rapid-fire dialogue and visual absurdity remain timelessly funny.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly praise Duck Soup for its relentless humor, witty dialogue, and the iconic performances of the Marx Brothers. Many highlight its enduring comedic power and its effectiveness as a political satire, with viewers appreciating its ability to remain funny and relevant decades later.

Fun Fact

The famous 'front of the room' scene, where Groucho Marx delivers his opening monologue, was originally intended to be much longer, but was significantly cut down to increase the film's pacing and comedic momentum.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

4 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Ok, so I’m probably in a tiny minority here but I simply didn’t find the Marx brothers’ style of comedy particularly funny, and this didn’t really do much to change that view. This is all set in the tiny nation of “Freedonia” that urgently ...
Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**I would love to send a copy of the film to Vladimir Putin. Would he understand the gesture?** Who would have thought that this film is almost a hundred years old? I just saw it, and it is fresher and lusher than many vegetables in the ...
tmdb47633491

tmdb47633491

The Marx Bros are to Blockbuster as Monty Python are to Netflix and I mean that in the best way possible
kineticandroid

kineticandroid

I never get tired of the idea that someone would think of Groucho Marx is the perfect man to lead a nation into war. Or that Harpo and Chico would be good spies. Or that Zeppo would be interested in another film after this one.