The Bottom Line
Pros
- Engaging performances by Lane, Broderick and the entire cast
- It's lively, it's loud, and it's fun
- Decent collection of bonus features
Cons
- The commentary track would have been better if one of the film's actors joined the director
Description
- 8 lengthy deleted scenes
- 15 minute outtake reel that's a must see
- 'Analysis of a Scene' - An in-depth look at creating the "I Wanna Be a Producer" number
- Commentary by director Susan Stroman
- DVD Release Date: May 16, 2006
Guide Review - "The Producers" DVD Review
Broadway producer Max Bialystock (Nathan Lane) and accountant Leo Bloom (Matthew Broderick) come up with what on the surface appears to be a brilliant scheme to get rich quick: collect millions of dollars from backers and then put on a play that's sure to close on opening night. That's the premise of the musical comedy, "The Producers," based on the Mel Brooks film which went on to be a Tony Award-winning Broadway play.Max and Leo set their plan in motion, searching through stacks and stacks of plays for just the right project. It has to be horribly written and the premise must stink. They find just what they're looking for in Springtime for Hitler, an appallingly tasteless musical tribute to Hitler's Third Reich, written by a crazy man (played by Will Ferrell) who makes them swear their allegiance to the Nazi party. Their plans are ruined when something bizarre happens... The play turns out to be a Broadway sensation!
The Bonus Features
If you watch nothing else from the extra features, be sure to check out the outtakes reel. It's 15 minutes of pure comedy. The behind the scenes featurette on the I Wanna Be a Producer musical number is fairly entertaining, and the eight deleted scenes seem to last as long as the feature film. I have to admit I turned off the commentary track about 10 minutes in. Director Stroman may be great behind the camera but her commentary was dry and it sounded as though she was reading a script.
