Sgt. Schultz It's really hard to make good comedies. Usually they revolve around people being stupid or incompetent. That's why this one is so amazing -- it's not only hysterical, the laughs are non-stop from start to finish without relying on "formula". And for that, you can mostly thank the incomparable Louis de Funes. His physical comedy, delivery and facial expressions are all sure to keep you laughing the entire film.With its theme of Jews & Arabs (and Frenchmen), I was wondering how this would hold up after 9/11. Well fear not, it's still as funny as it ever was.Even if you're not generally a sub-title fan, watch this film when you're looking for something funny. Just be prepared to laugh for 90 minutes straight!

hasosch In "The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob", Louis De Funes can apply all his talents: Not only his notorious fast-talking that makes him even for native French speakers hard to understand, the sudden break-outs of his temper, his enormous capability for slapstick which included for him playing whole scenes without a double, but also his wonderful pantomimic talents. In this film, his name in "Pivert" (which sounds a bit like "pervert"), this is the bird pee-wit, and whenever Victor Pivert is asked about his name, he feels urged to imitate the bird in a pantomimic manner, whereby his acting gets every time more insane. De Funes played his movies with such an intensity that he suffered several heart attacks before his last one killed him in 1983. One of his sons, a heart-surgeon, should be constantly on the set. Did the Funes really play? French people say that the three greatest French comedians of all times were (in alphabetic order) Bourvil, Fernandel and Louis De Funes. In the films of Bourvil and Fernandel you can laugh with a warm and happy heart, but in the films of Louis De Funes you cry out with insane laughter. He was too short time of earth, but was in over 100 movies and in approximately 50 in the main role. And now look: In the USA there are exactly 2 of his movies available: "The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob" and "Delusions of Grandeur", both directed by the French comedy giant Gérard Oury. A third movie, again by Oury, you can buy from a New York video place for approximately 50 dollars on VHS: "La Grande Vadrouille" - by many considered one of the best French movies ever. And that's it. Only from the 6 "Le Gendarme De St-Tropez" movies which made De Funes internationally known, not one is on a DVD that would play on an average American player. For "The Gendarme in New York" you must pay fantasy prices for the only VHS recording that is long out of print. It is beyond human understanding that De Funes works are not available outside of France.

benita-11 I really love this movie ! I remember when i saw it when i was a child and every time it's, on i watch it again. Louis is very funny in this one, and the film reflects on every aspect of being Jewish, the cultural aspect and other religions in broader view. My daughter of 11 just asked me what being Jewish is all about and told her about the film in my early days, and told her whenever she got the chance to see this film, she should, and i completed it with a a free interpretation of the 'dance'... and she was very amused:-) Love the 'dance'as a highlight of the film completed with babushka style in a very funny way. Can't wait until it's on again ! Please, check it out

mdibner This is one of the funniest films every made. Explores the differences among peoples. A very funny commentary on life. Has not been available on VHS with English subtitles until mid-2001. The acting is superb although the dialog somewhat slapstick.