The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980)

Crazy, goofy, and silly are the three most operative words to describe "The Gods Must Be Crazy". But the movie is also very original. It's appropriate that the word crazy is in the title because this is the craziest movie I've ever seen. "The Gods Must Be Crazy" is a South African made comedy that was made back in the early 1980s but didn't get released until 3-4 years after shooting was completed. It became a surprise hit in the U.S. after it was released in 1984, and it did very well in other countries too. "The Gods Must Be Crazy" features three separate stories that get tied together towards the end. One story is about a bushman who goes on a journey to return a Coke bottle that he found to the Gods after the bottle starts causing harm to some of his family members. Another story revolves around a war that breaks out in Central Africa. And the other story centers around a clumsy scientist who tries to take a pretty South African woman to her new job as a schoolteacher in a small African village, and does everything wrong. This is my favorite part of the movie. The scientist is played by Marius Weyers, and he gives an inspired slapstick comedy performance. Some of the things that he does in the film had me exploding in laughter. The scenes with the jeep that he drives are priceless. Sandra Prinsloo is a good foil as the schoolteacher who unfortuneitly has no choice but to put up with his clumsiness. When Weyers and Prinsloo are on screen, "The Gods Must Be Crazy" is at its funniest. The other two stories are good, but not great. Nevertheless, there are some unusual scenes in these parts of the movie too. But the scenes involving the scientist and the schoolteacher are the best parts of "The Gods Must Be Crazy". It's too bad that they didn't turn up in the dull sequel. I think these parts of the movie alone is enough for me to recommend "The Gods Must Be Crazy".

*** (out of four)

Fmovies: This has been one of my favorite films ever since it originally was first shown 20 some years ago. It's message and humor continue to be pertinent in today's world.

It seemed simplistic, yet it was so brilliant in its execution that it ranks as one of the more interesting films of the last century. Unique and different, this film showed a different side of Africa and introduced one of the few genuine characters in the African Bushman. Highly recommended for anyone who has not seen this film. If you can find it, rent it.

The Gods Must Be Crazy fmovies. My wife says "If you want a little lightness in your life, this one's a gem.' This South African film was written and directed by Jamie Uys, who also plays The Reverend. The film is in English with some Afrikaans and a little of the dialogue is in Xhosa, a language with many consonants which are different clicking sounds; it is an interesting experience just to hear it.

In his travels, a bushman in the Kalahari desert, find a Coca-Cola bottle that was thrown from an airplane. Thinking it a gift from the gods, he takes it to his village where it becomes a very popular item but also creates grave problems (hence the title of the film). In his quest to get rid of the bottle by throwing it off the end of the world, he encounters civilization for the first time; we hear his puzzled thoughts through a narrator, and we are able to see ourselves through the eyes of an innocent. In a separate story, a beautiful schoolteacher, Kate (Sandra Prinsloo) is assigned to a remote village and has to deal with a shy scientist, Andrew Steyn (Marius Weyers), who becomes a total klutz in the presence of a pretty woman. These two hilarious stories converge with even more hilarious results. The sequel was no match for the original.

This beautifully-crafted film contains subtle comedy, farce, romance, drama, action and believable slapstick (equal to Chaplin's best). The film played at the Capitol Theatre in Toronto for over a year, getting considerable repeat business: those who loved it would later bring their friends. You too will love these warm, wonderful characters and boo the villains.

I first saw it in San Francisco in 1984. At the end of the movie the entire audience stood and applauded. I was astonished, as I'd never experienced this in a movie theater. I was so delighted that I went to see it again the very next evening. Exactly the same thing happened: the audience - a completely different one, of course - again stood and cheered as the movie reached its unexpected conclusion. I was exhilarated, enchanted, and had tear-lined cheeks from laughing more than I have at any other movie I have ever seen before or since. Go to the ends of the earth to see this unique and hilarious commentary on human nature. After years of trying, I tracked down a used video to treasure; and may it someday be released on DVD.

I remember the first 5 times I saw this movie I was laughing so much that tears rolled down my face. This movie was very well done and I have nothing bad to say about this movie. I definetly recommend this movie to anyone who wants to laugh.... and if it doesn't make you laugh then you better check your pulse.