Duck Soup

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Duck Soup

1933,

1h 10m,

Comedy

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Watchlist

91%

53 Reviews

Tomatometer

91%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

53 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When the tiny nation of Freedonia goes bankrupt, its wealthy benefactor, Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont), insists that the wacky Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) become the country's president. Sensing a weakness in leadership, the bordering nation of Sylvania sends in the spies Pinky (Harpo Marx) and Chicolini (Chico Marx) to set the stage for a revolution. As Firefly clashes with the Sylvanian ambassador (Louis Calhern), plenty of mayhem ensues, and the countries verge on all-out war.

Critics Consensus

Fueled by inspired silliness and blessed with some of the Marx brothers' most brilliant work, Duck Soup is one of its -- or any -- era's finest comedies.

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Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

Jan 16, 2015

4/5

It turns out that the sharp-tongued humour of Groucho Marx is ageless, the slapstick timely and the subject matter still pertinent: loony dictatorship, religion, pointless warfare.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Jan 15, 2015

5/5

The sheer silliness is inspired ...

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David Jenkins

Little White Lies

Jan 15, 2015

3/5

Questioning the canonical standing of a titan such as Duck Soup seems like an exercise in questioning the tastes of those who like it rather than the upbraiding the comedy mechanics of the film itself.

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Nov 17, 2023

5/5

Duck Soup is the greatest Marx Brothers comedy of all time.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 12, 2023

4/4

True movie fans haven’t lived until they’ve caught this outrageous satire.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 20, 2022

5/5

There’s no dense or intricate narrative in the film. It’s simply a basic story that allows Groucho, Harpo, and Chico to showcase their comedic chaos.

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Albus S

Mar 3, 2019

Duck Soup, a confusing title that only makes a little sense on closer inspection, is a slapstick heavy farce that only ever got the occasional chuckle out of me. There's something about the fast-paced vaudeville clowning that rubbed me the wrong way, and I tired of it very quickly. It feels like a project much more suited to the stage than the screen. In a play or cabaret, the rapidity is very impressive since its happening in one go. On screen it can be the result of numerous takes, and comes across as far more annoying than entertaining. It's a similar feeling I had when I watched Chaplin's Great Dictator, and the lead's constant buffoonery just got on my nerves. It was the same here, and with the endless scenes of the brothers doing nothing but fall over, knock hats off and gurn at every opportunity, I was thankful it was only 68 minutes. The Marx Brothers may have done a lot for screen comedy, but in Duck Soup, they did absolutely nothing for me.

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Poe W

Sep 7, 2018

The definitive surrealist, anarchist anti-war movie. The Marx Brothers at their masterful peak. Fredonia's going to war!

Harry G

Jun 22, 2018

I can understand why it didn't get a lot of respect at first, as it's themes were untouchable at the time, but it's aged just like fine wine and is one the silliest Marx adventures!

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Hermione L

Jun 19, 2018

Priceless, the marx brothers at their best.

Anakin S

Nov 5, 2017

First and last time I go out of my way to watch Marx bros stuff. Appreciate them as a precursor to Airplane!, Angie Tribeca and stuff - but ultimately not for me.

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Luke W

Oct 27, 2017

A modern version would be great today. It actually says a lot about modern times!

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Leo McCarey

Director

Groucho Marx

Rufus T. Firefly

Harpo Marx

Pinky

Chico Marx

Chicolini

Zeppo Marx

Lt. Bob Roland

Margaret Dumont

Mrs. Gloria Teasdale

Duck Soup: Official Clip - The Mirror Scene

2:48

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Duck Soup: Official Clip - I Object!

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Duck Soup: Official Clip - To War

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Duck Soup: Official Clip - The Laws of My Administration

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Duck Soup: Official Clip - I Was Gonna Ask for the Whole Wig

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Duck Soup: Official Clip - This Means War!

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Duck Soup: Official Clip - Working His Magic

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Duck Soup: Official Clip - The Lemonade Vendor

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Duck Soup: Official Clip - Without a Word

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Duck Soup: Official Clip - These Are My Spies

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Synopsis

When the tiny nation of Freedonia goes bankrupt, its wealthy benefactor, Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont), insists that the wacky Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) become the country's president. Sensing a weakness in leadership, the bordering nation of Sylvania sends in the spies Pinky (Harpo Marx) and Chicolini (Chico Marx) to set the stage for a revolution. As Firefly clashes with the Sylvanian ambassador (Louis Calhern), plenty of mayhem ensues, and the countries verge on all-out war.

Director: Leo McCarey
Producer: Herman J. Mankiewicz
Distributor: MCA/Universal Home Video, Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 1933, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 3, 2015
Runtime: 1h 10m
Sound Mix: Mono

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