‘To Be or Not To Be’ is a classic Hollywood satire that weaves comedy into a masterful suspense story mocking Hitler and the Nazis. It’s only fitting, considering that the film was made during the war. The film’s plot begins in 1939 in Poland, around the days when Germany invaded Poland. A fictional married couple, Joseph Tura and Maria Tura, are actors who met on the theater stage, and a Polish Air Force pilot, Sobinski, falls for Maria. Before the two could figure out their next steps, Nazi Germany marches into Poland with an undeclared war, drawing Sobinski off to war. Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland destroyed the country’s Air Force within days, causing Sobinski to go to England and serve under the British Royal Air Force’s Polish unit. There, he runs into a sinister professor, who seems to be a double agent for the Gestapo returning to Poland. The story unveils as RAF parachutes Sobinski into Poland to find out the Professor’s intentions. A lot more happens than just that, but it’s easy to follow along because of exceptional narration.

Overall, the premise of the film is fascinating and enjoyable. The acting, directing, witty script, pacing, and comedy are well done and stand the test of time in 2024. Director Lubitsch was German-born and resistant to the Nazi movement, which inspired his political take here. The thing that makes satire funny is that it reflects on the truth of the insanity behind the Nazi movement and fascism to ridicule it. The mockery of Hitler was especially hilarious. Hitler famously raged at Charlie Chaplin, who did excellent in his satire ‘The Great Dictator’, but I don’t know his take concerning this film. I didn’t know the cast outside of the star Carole Lombard, but they were amazing together. Speaking of Carole Lombard, she died in a plane crash at 33 in her acting prime while raising bond money for the war effort. The film was still in post-production. By the late 1930s and early 1940s, the public considered her a brilliant actress and loved her for her talent, grace, and beautiful looks. Who knows what she could have become through what many consider the Golden Age of Hollywood? After her death, star actor Clark Gable, who was her husband at the time, enlisted with the US Air Force.

Would I recommend this? Yes, but not a must-watch. As far as satires go, this has to be up there as one of the funnier movies to come out of Hollywood. It never feels over-the-top, and the pacing keeps you interested.