You Must Be Joking! (1965) User Reviews (24)

It's silly, and it makes me laugh

[loza-1 · 5/10 · 17 June 2005]

Something of a precursor of the swinging sixties "comedy." It still has the makings of the 1940s 1959s British comedies, but some of the silliness of the later 1960s comedy films is starting to creep in.

The performance of the film is probably Lionel Jeffries as the caricature of a Scotsman. (Perhaps even more interesting is not so much his performance as the reactions of the other scavengers to his character. In one scene he asked someone on the set to give him something Gaelic to say. Someone duly did. Lionel Jeffries was not to know that it meant: "Kiss my ass." But it went unnoticed...until the film was shown in Ireland! All in all, it's great fun.

One should not take it too seriously.

War Cry

[otterman62 · 6/10 · 22 February 2007]

I haven't seen this film for years, but on an episode of "This is your Life" which I think was devoted to Lionel Jeffries he told the story that during the making of this film as he was meant to be pole vaulting out of a maze, during one of the intelligence tests set for the soldiers. he casually mentioned he wanted some sort of war cry to make his jump more dramatic, one of the other actors "helpfully" suggested the "old gaelic war cry" of Pogue Mahone! which Jeffries used,shouting it loudly as he vaulted, not knowing what it meant. Apparently this went unnoticed except where they speak gaelic and which brought the house down when the film was shown in Ireland and Scotland, (it translates as "kiss my ****")

An undervalued pleasure

[Marco_Trevisiol · 7/10 · 17 October 2013]

It's somewhat strange how this cheery and pleasing film has been almost totally forgotten today - perhaps in part despite its 'Swinging London' ethos that it was filmed in black & white?

Michael Winner's 1960s films were noted for their vivid and lively style, and it's a pity that when he moved to Hollywood in the early 1970s he seemed to lose that style and his films became defined by being dour, downbeat and often quite nasty.

Back to YMBJ, acting standouts include Lionel Jeffries who steals the film with his funny performance just as he did a few years previously with 'The Wrong Arm of the Law' and Terry-Thomas in a small but typically very amusing performance.

The film's finale is a bit messy and incoherent, but otherwise the film is full of good fun and laughs.

It Reeks Of The 1960's And A Bygone Era

[vogun-17563 · 7/10 · 20 August 2018]

The film begins with the superb opening credits by Bob Godfrey, and a Mona Lisa start which is not unlike (and predates) Terry Gilliam, and sets one up for a light hearted typical British affair. It frequently uses the streets of London as a backdrop and is filled with some marvellous cameo roles by numerous character actors. They seem to be all here.

There are quite a few memorable roles but accolades go to Terry Thomas, Lionel Jeffries (that's a first for me), and Denholm Elliot glides through his performance with aplomb. Of course the plot is ridiculous, and the film is not a gem, but I was delighted to catch this film. I even laughed during the film. There's a little bit of 60's saucyness, pop references (The Cavemen), sending up of the upper classes, the obligatory (largely unknown) Amercan actor and cuts that are pure 1960's.

It's not a Carry On film, it's much better, and if you like black & white British 1960's movies and the (now lost) actors from then, you will not be disappointed.

It's a mad world in the British Army

[SimonJack · 7/10 · 14 September 2017]

"You Must Be Joking" is a very funny film. This British production has a different twist in its version of the 1963 Hollywood smash hit "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World." The different twist is a sort of scavenger hunt under the guise of a new initiative test being conducted for the British armed forces. It's the brainchild of Major Foskett, an Army psychiatrist. Men are volunteered from different military branches and groups, including one American from a U.S. Air Force station.

The film has a good plot in which most of the comedy is in situations and antics of the actors. The script has some humorous dialog and some slapstick, but nothing on the level of the 1963 film. Still, there's plenty of humor in the situations and the characters. And, it has a nice cast of several very good actors, including some known in America. I have no doubt that the Brits and others around the U.K. will find more cultural humor than those of us across the pond. I appreciate the line another reviewer noted about the battle cry of Sgt. Major McGregor (Lionel Jeffries).

Jeffries has one of the lead roles. Others are played by Michael Callan (Lt. Tim Morton), Denholm Elliott (Capt. Tabasco), Gabriella Licudi (Annabelle Nash), Lee Montague (SSgt. Mansfield), and Wilfrid Hyde-White (Gen. Lockwood). Among the good supporting cast are Bernard Cribbins, James Robertson Justice, Leslie Phillips, and Patricia Viterbo. But the funniest scenes are those with Terry-Thomas as Maj. Foskett. At one point, he comments that the test was like conducting a fox hunt, and in the next scene his jeep is in the midst of a fox hunt.

The five objects each man had to find and bring back, without any outside help, are a hood emblem from a Rolls Royce, a Lady Frances McDonaugh (rose), an electric hare from a greyhound racetrack, a plastic duck decorative tile, and a lock of hair from a pop singer. The sixth item they learn of later is the Lutine Bell from Lloyds of London.

Here are some of my favorite lines from the film.

Maj. Foskett, to the security guard at the Northdene U.S. Air Force station gate, "I am a major. You are a sergeant. Majors give orders. Sergeants obey them…." U. S. Air Force guard, "But I'm not even in your Army, sir." Maj Foskett, "That's not my fault."

Lt. Tim Morton, "Uh yes, sir, that's quite clear, uh, but what the heck do I have to do?" Col. Fraser, "Do your best."

Capt. Tabasco, "And remember, ask no questions and you'll hear no lies."

Sgt. Maj. McGregor, "Listen, you're not going to leave the car like that, are you? (Parked on the corner pedestrian crossing). Annabelle, "Oh, it doesn't mind."

Parkins, after Lt. Morton taps the desk bell repeatedly in the fictitious Tweedles men's club, "That is not a musical instrument, sir." Lt. Morton, "Well, it's there to be rung, isn't it?" Parkins, "To be rung, yes. But not to play tunes on."

Fun times

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 7 October 2018]

YOU MUST BE JOKING! is a fun 'scavenger hunt' style movie which were all the rage back in the 1960s, in combination with the 'chase' flicks that Hollywood were doing so well. These films had ensemble, all-star casts either hunting for treasure or racing vehicles around the world and were typically light, scattershot and very funny. YOU MUST BE JOKING! is a lesser known entry in this genre, and a feather in the early cap of the young Michael Winner. The great Terry-Thomas plays an army major who sends a bunch of raw recuits off to complete various tasks, so much so that I felt like I was watching an episode of THE APPRENTICE at times. Some parts are funnier than others but this generally holds up with plenty of panache and stalwart efforts from a cast that includes Bernard Cribbins, James Robertson Justice, Miles Malleson and Lionel Jeffries, not to mention an eye-popping cameo from Gwendolyn Watts.

What Happened to the British Film Industry

[aramis-112-804880 · 6/10 · 9 February 2015]

In "You Must Be Joking" military top brass (including Wilfred Hyde-White and Terry-Thomas) send representatives from various branches of the service (including Bernard Cribbins, Denholm Elliott and Lionel Jeffries) and one American (Michael Callan, "Cat Ballou," probably so they could market it in the States) on an initiative test, to see who can collect the most objects from a list of odds and ends (including a Rolls Royce radiator mascot and an electric hare).

We see flashes of genius from the real talent. Terry-Thomas makes the most of his material and Hyde-White can steal more scenes reading the paper than the rest of the cast from all their slapstick shenanigans. Of the principles, only Jeffries and Callan have significant screen time. Jeffries, who always shows just what he's thinking, can get laughs with a look or a snarl. On the other end of the spectrum, Lee Montague seems to be trying to channel Eric Barker, with poor results. The women are eye candy, though the unique driving style of one is funny.

Elliott and especially Cribbins are superb but SHAMEFULLY underutilized. Cameos from James Robertson Justice, Arthur Lowe, James Villiers and (particularly) Leslie Phillips in a cringe-worthy scene. It's one of those movies where the makers seem to think casting a famous face known for comedy is enough to make a movie funny. Richard Wattis and Peter Barkworth might as well not be there. Sadly, Miles Malleson's last film, going out not with a bang but a whimper. Irene Handl handles her cameo well. She's one of those people who can get laughs reading a phone book. Peter Bull gets a good cameo, too.

This seems to be indicative of the British film industry at the time. They had talent to waste--and they did!

Moments at the beginning, and especially a fleeting few seconds sheer genius at the end between Cribbins and Jeffries (both of who I've seen upstage Peter Sellers!) Show what the film might have been.

You've got to be kidding!

[skoogs-3 · 4/10 · 12 January 2019]

This is one of those twerpy 'swinging 60's' films with cavalier photography, 'swinging' introductory and background music, to get us all in a 'fab' mood to insure us that the everything you are about to endure is not to be taken seriously. It's all the fault of the Beatles wonderful 'A Hard Days Night' that all the others are trying to catch up. However, this film couldn't catch a George Formby film on a bad day. And why-oh-why did it have to have the obligatory American actor in the lead role? To me this lowers the tone completely as we have many, many British actors who would be more than willing to make a complete fool of themselves.

Not quite a classic

[carollaw51-41-56256 · 6/10 · 2 May 2019]

I watched this film last night and found some of the film very amusing while other parts a bit cringy,for instance the many times women drivers were mentioned,which i know was very typical of that era, the only woman character driving in the film {Anabella) was portrayed as being very incompetent and was crashing into everything and everyone every time you see her behind a wheel which i found a bit annoying especially when you are kind of lead to believe that she is only on the road because she is upper class and privileged to be able to.In reality women drivers back then were usually very cautious and careful,if not slower drivers than the men. Onto the characters ,Lionel Jeffries was funny in his Scotsman role although his accent did keep slipping from time to time so not entirely convincing .Terry Thomas and Wilfried Hyde White were brilliant as always.I feel James Robertson Justice and Leslie Phillips were badly underused and for me the actor who stole the movie for me was Denholm Elliot who i thought dominated every scene he was in and was sadly underused . The ending for me was very disappointing as the American character who you were kind of rooting for as he did get more screen time than everyone else, turns into a complete shallow user and a creep in the last 3 minutes of the film ,by this point you were hoping he would get disqualified or something. This film is not a class British comedy and doesnt hold up to the Ealing films or even the early Carry ons of the time . It is amusing at times but just dont expect too much as a classic it isnt even though the great star cast may make you think otherwise.

Tedious Farrago

[simonglen · 2/10 · 10 July 2021]

Maybe the best thing about this film is the impressive cast of English actors, but they are not well served by the script. It has an interesting story idea of gathering together items from a list, but the film progresses in a downward spiral of forced "zany" scenes.

I particularly disliked that it did some subtle reinforcement of the British class system- the richest characters with the most high level social connections are the ones who can get things done. The working class character is left digging in the dirt.

Lionel Jeffries gives what seems like a decent impression of Scottish comedian Chic Murray, but the context of his performance is a series of Scottish stereotypes. A recurring joke about "women drivers" is grating.

Cracking Comedy!

[ronevickers · 9/10 · 24 September 2010]

This really is an unsung little gem that is well worthy of general release. From start to finish, it is a fast paced film with some excellent scenes involving a superb cast. A feast of British comic actors with American star, Michael Callan, thrown in for good measure. Everyone performs well, and they look like they had a whale of a time making this movie. Special mention must go to the one and only Terry-Thomas as the army phsycologist, who even manages to reprise his famous "hard cheese" retort! Lionel Jeffries is outstanding too, and there's great support from Bernard Cribbins, Denholm Elliott and Wilfred Hyde-White. To anyone who enjoys fun-filled, brisk, British comedies, this is not to be missed.

It's a good watch

[finercreative · 6/10 · 8 October 2023]

"You Must Be Joking!" Is a film about 5 Men, all from different armies, going on a scavenger Hunt throughout Britain for 5 different items, and is sort of similar to the movie "It's a mad mad mad mad world". The film was funny at some points and was also fun to watch. It is a bit vague on explaining the plot in the beginning though. All of the acting was good, and I enjoyed Lionel Jeffrie's acting the most. Some of the scenes were a bit bizarre, but these bizarre moments weren't necessarily bad. All the scenes range from average to good. Overall, it was a fun and nice movie to watch. I'd give it 6/10.

woeful

[fuzzybutt59 · 10 November 2003]

"you must be joking!",the title says it all.more like you cannot seriously think this woeful rubbish is the slightest bit amusing.just goes to show that once again,a non-stop barrage of star cameos does not compensate for lack of comic material.truly dire.

Lots of stars but little else.

[g-hbe · 4/10 · 27 March 2021]

Film makers often think that if they cram in as many stars as possible, they are bound to strike gold. It rarely works, and this heap of 'zany' rubbish is no exception. The plot is as thin as prison soup and there's far too much running about and people being with-it and 'swinging'. There are a few good points - Terry-Thomas is always good and so is Lionel Jeffries but oh dear, the rest (including Norman Vaughan FGS) seem to have been added as make-weights. Micheal Winner was never the best of directors and this is a long way from his best efforts. Sorry, it's a 4 from me.

Loved the plaster ducks !

[myriamlenys · 7/10 · 12 March 2022]

Many comedy lovers are familiar with "It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world", but far fewer are familiar with "You must be joking !", a black-and-white comedy which has a somewhat similar premise. In "You must be joking !", the British army organizes an initiative contest requiring a number of candidates to obtain a motley collection of objects, such as a rare rose or a set of decorative ducks. Keen on landing the promised reward, the candidates try to acquire the objects, by hook or by crook, while putting their rivals at a disadvantage. This will lead to things like burglary, theft, blackmail, unsafe oyster consumption and tipsy dancing on tables.

The movie starts somewhat slowly, but it's worth sitting through the first quarter of an hour since the tale gains in comedic force and momentum. The movie contains a number of successful gags, jokes and lines, while poking fun at subjects like the army, the old-boys establishment and pop music. Other viewers and reviewers will pick their own favorite scene, but I laughed hardest at the background dance supposed to spice up a pop song. Magnificently silly...

Strangely "You must be joking !" takes a very light-hearted approach to the idea of nuclear warfare, using it mainly as an opening gambit or launching pad for comical adventures. (In the beginning, the various candidates are asked to consider a country reduced to smoking rubble, from which they are supposed to salvage a number of iconic emblems.) If you are the kind of person who likes to think thoughts, you can organize a double bill of "You must be joking !" with either "Miracle mile" or "The damned", aka "These are the damned", two movies that take the horror of possible nuclear annihilation very seriously indeed. Mind you, neither "Miracle mile" nor "The damned" will bring a happy smile to your lips...

watchable British comedy

[arthur_tafero · 5/10 · 23 July 2018]

I like Terry Thomas; its too bad he practically had a cameo role in this film, though. You Must Be Joking!, directed by the competent Michael Winner, is a pleasant British farce in the tradition of the Carry On, gang of Alec Guinness. The pace of the film is not fast; it is ultrasonic. Some of the best bits of the film go by much too fast, while other, more mundane shots last too long.

The idea of a military scavenger hunt is rather unique, except for the fact that It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World had practically the same type of plot; (and that film was not that awfully funny, either). At least this film did not waste tons of money on an A cast. There are several hits and misses in each scene, and the protagonist becomes extremely shallow, as the film develops. Other than that, the film is a passable comedy, and quite watchable.

My 3 Rating is probably too generous

[scottdou · 3/10 · 25 November 2021]

This movie is the definition of over-acting. Very very forced comedy and a stupid so-called plot that is not even that funny from mostly over the hill British actors. A few chuckles here and there but no side-splitting laughter like you get with great British comedies/comics like George Formby, Benny Hill, Fawlty Towers or Monty Python.

Another Winner From Michael!

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 24 December 2008]

'You Must Be Joking!' opens with the most famous work of art in history - The Mona Lisa. Suddenly ( courtesy of Bob Godfrey animation ), it winks at us and grins, exposing blackened teeth. A fast-paced Laurie Johnson theme kicks in, and we are off. Its an early Michael Winner film, so we know it won't be dull.

Soldiers from various regiments gather at an Air Force Base in England to hear army psychiatrist Major Foskitt ( Terry-Thomas ) outline his plan for a new initiative test. Imagine, he says, that there has been a nuclear war, and you are the sole survivor. You decide to gather symbols of the British way of life to preserve for posterity. They include a rare flower called 'Lady Frances MacDonough', a flight of plaster ducks, a racing course hare, a lock of hair and the autograph of French pop star Sylvie Tarnet, and the Lutine Bell of Lloyds of London.

Whoever assembles this lot and returns to the base before a deadline wins a fabulous prize - a 10 day trip around the world. The soldiers are first placed in a maze, from which they must escape. Sgt.Major MacGregor ( Lionel Jeffries ) pole-vaults his way to freedom, while three others escape by helicopter. Sgt.Clegg ( Bernard Cribbins ) tries to tunnel his way out ( in a running gag, each time he emerges from the maze he finds himself within sight of either Foskitt or General Lockwood ( Wilfrid Hyde-White ) who then put him back to begin the whole process all over again.

'Joking!' was one of several '60's comedy films inspired by the huge success of Staney Kramer's 1963 blockbuster 'Its A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'. Its on a much smaller scale, of course, with none of the elaborate slapstick gags of that earlier movie, but is nevertheless enjoyable with a great cast including James Robertson-Justice, Denholm Elliott, Lee Montague, Leslie Phillips, Clive Dunn, Arthur Lowe, Miles Malleson, and Norman Vaughan ( managing to be a lot funnier than he was in 'The Golden Shot' ). The top billing goes to America's Michael Callan as 'Lt.Tim Morton'. I have to say I found him a pain, particularly when he callously dumps his girlfriend Annabelle ( Gabriella Licudi ) in order to run off with Sylvie.

The slapstick is augmented by satire ( spot Lance Perceval from 'T.W.3' if you can ), in particular of British pop culture ( middle-aged women sign photos of pop stars to hand out to fans, while 'The Cavemen' look and sound suspiciously like a send-up of The Beatles ).

'Joking!' is great fun, with the brilliant Lionel Jeffries stealing every scene he is. Note the bit where he pole-vaults out of the maze. His battle-cry of 'Pogue Mahone!' brought gales of laughter from Irish audiences. It is Gaelic for "Kiss my a--e!".

On a sad note, Patricia Viterbo, who plays 'Sylvie', died in a car accident the following year.

Funniest moment? For me, its the fight between the married couple played by Leslie Phillips and Gwendolyn Watts. Having caught her about to seduce Lt.Morton, he proceeds to throw her Mother's gifts at her. After hurling a statuette through the window of their high-rise flat, he asks through clenched teeth: "Right, now where's your Mother?".

They Weren't

[Mr. OpEd · 10/10 · 26 August 2001]

Smashingly funny and character driven film with a scavenger hunt leading to the stealing of the Lord's of London bell. Shown primarily as a second biller in the 60s, at least in the US, and hasn't been seen much since. An all-around-good flick (Laurie "Avengers" Johnson did the music) with a bit of Richard Lester vibe.

More Cameos than "Around the World in 80 Days"

[andyrobert · 10/10 · 11 December 2019]

I saw this film at the cinema when it first came out and was not able to catch up with it again until I watched a recording that I had made of it this morning. It had been on Talking Pictures several weeks ago.

Despite some of the other reviews that I have read, I found it to be a great film, with some good comic formulas - a sort of British answer to "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", with different twists and plot devices.

If none of the film critics of the time found this film funny, I remember the cinema being "standing room only", with the audience rocking with laughter.

Some of the actors in the film probably were not particularly well known in 1964, but by today's standards, it had nearly as many actors and actresses in cameo performances as "Around the World in 80 Days". I remember half- expecting Norman Vaughn to take out a box of chocolates and say: "Roses Grow on You!".

The only thing that seemed to disappoint most of the audience - especially the girls - was where, in the end, the lead actor went off with the beautiful French singer, instead of his loyal English girlfriend. Maybe there was a reason for such an ending, which was probably misunderstood by cinema audiences at the time.

Of course, the acting honors would have gone to Lionel Jeffries as the Royal Scots Guards Regimental Sergeant Major, dressed throughout the film in a regimental kilt, swapping his bearskin helmet for a mismatching cloth cap.

It is debateable as to whether the British could make a film like this nowadays. With so many stars in cameo performances, the production would go way over budget; and the part where Graham Stark plays a drunken pilot of a charter aircraft would not be politically correct for today's audiences.

On a sad note, it is a pity about Patricia Viterbo, who played the part of the beautiful French singer, Sylvie Tarnet. It was a shame for such lovely actress to be taken at such an early age. She would have had such a glittering career ahead of her.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I wish I could give it 12, but 10 out of 10 will do for now.

Miles Malleson's Last Film

[richardchatten · 9/10 · 20 September 2020]

Quite a lot of old movies don't live up to their animated credits. Not this one! Even though they were the work of Bob Godfrey!!

In 1968 Andrew Sarris rated Winner higher - among The 'Oddities, One-Shots and Newcomers' - in 'American Cinema' than Stanley Kramer ('Miscellany'). At the time Sarris seemed not to have seen (and probably never bothered to catch up with) this low budget but very funny imitation of 'It's a Mad Mad Mad World' from a mildly satirical script by the author of 'I'm All Right Jack'. It was also Michael Winner's last film in black & white, in those very far off days when even he couldn't help making a decent film.

Energetically shot entirely on location (94 in all) in and around a very wintry looking London and then frenziedly cut together (NERD NOTE: Winner's used of hard-edged wipes probably seemed very 'nouvelle vague' at the time but were actually a common feature of quota quickies thirty years earlier). It depicts a world in which audiences would have known the significance of plaster flying ducks and Trechikoff's 'Green Woman', now as impossible to revisit as the planet Jupiter itself. Shot by '2001's director of photography and featuring a Who's Who of British supporting actors past and future, most of them on good form, with Bernard Cribbins the victim of a wonderful running gag. English actor Lionel Jeffries playing a mad Scotsman would however probably offend today's politically correct sensibilities.

(In smaller parts, James Robertson Justice looks incongruous as a supercilious librarian who makes no attempt to keep his voice down; while the ubiquitous Marianne Stone looks even more striking than usual forging signatures in a collar & tie.)

Actually a Midnight Madness style film

[gorytus-20672 · 9/10 · 15 April 2021]

April 2021

I only got to see this for the first time just a couple of years ago, what a surprise, i actually put it in that little genre, including "Its a mad mad mad mad world and midnight madness", along with 4 or 5 others.

I love all these scavenger hunt films, and this one has a great comedy cast including Terry Thomas and Lionel Jefferies.

A real surprise this.

9 out of 10.

great film

[kpb1962 · 10/10 · 12 October 2012]

sixties comedy at its best in the same vein as the fast lady and please turn over its similar to the carry ons where they try to get out of certain situations love the film it must have been filmed late in the year because of the weather some of the things are no longer made good director in michael winner there was a load of great comedies in the 50s and 60s this rates greatly in my top ten he did some great work later on some of the stars should have been more recognised then they were to me it is comedy at its best as i said there was a lot of great films comedy and drama films i wonder why it has not been remade it would be interesting to see who would have portrayed all the parts it is one of my favourite all time filmsthis is not rubbish I think it is very funny it could have been adapted to be a carry on

splendid early one from Winner

[christopher-underwood · 8/10 · 10 June 2023]

A surprisingly splendid early one from Michael Winner. It is really funny with an amazing number of comedians. Well directed and if the story is a bit silly the film is really fast and if there are a few odd bits it moves along quickly. With the great credits animation from Bob Godfrey and on with the music from Laurie Johnson and the script of Alan Hackney from I'm All Right Jack (1959) we are off. Winner seems clear what's to not work in the studio if he can help it. We start off at RAF Northolt, some shots in Carshalton and then it might have been Kew Gardens but then we realise we are at Avery Hill, near Greenwich and then we are off to Mayfair, then Pimlico and Knightsbridge and even Piccadilly Circus, goodness knows how Winner manages to do that in the day time. There are some shots of the Thames and we can see the docks and even Billingsgate. Some wonderful locations and some good jokes, an amazing number of people like Terry-Thomas, Wilfred Hyde-White, Bernard Cribbins, Denholm Elliott, Lionel Jefferies, the lovely Irene Handl, many others and the American Michael Callan from stage and film.