To be or Not to be

by Peter Barnes

In 'To Be or Not to Be' (1942), Ernest Lubitsch brought his legendary comic touch to the most unpromising life in Nazi-occupied Poland. In this study, Peter Barnes considers what it is to make comedy out of tragedy.

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2019

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. This entry is for the English playwright and screenwriter.

Reviews

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a highly enjoyable release in the BFI Film Classics series, even if it has been some years since I have seen the Lubitsch film in question. Peter Barnes is witty, insightful, and opinionated in just the right measures while also serving up enough details about the film, director, and stars to satisfy the interested reader. Of course, it is also an audacious film, so the tone is just right. I need to watch it again now.

[Erin]

recommend solely for the image of our boy ernst lubitsch holding two giant feather fans