Apparently the ending is what makes the film so dreadful; it has Lewis' clown character coercing children into a gas chamber. Harry Shearer (of Spinal Tap and The Simpsons fame) has seen a rough cut of it and he said “This movie is so drastically wrong, its pathos and its comedy are so wildly misplaced, that you could not, in your fantasy of what it might be like, improve on what it really is. ‘Oh My God!’ - that’s all you can say.”
I read the script and its seems like it was intended to be a serious drama, I've heard that when Lewis signed on he reworked parts of the script, Sadly I think it was likely his doing that certain scenes happened to have forced comedy elements for some reason. For example, there is one scene where a Nazi is trying to force feed the main character( Jerry Lewis) and it reads like its suppose to be this degrading humiliating scene showing the helplessness of Jerry's character and the power and fear that the Nazi's are enforcing but at the end of the scene an extra note in brackets specifies the scene is supposed to be played for comedy? I think this was Lewis's addition to adding more comedic elements to the film.
I've never read the script at all but from what you have said about it, I don't think I even want to! All being said though, I'd love to see a film about the same film; a dramatisation of the whole making and none-release. I think that could be a fascinating insight (albeit semi-fictional) into the whole story.
i'm pretty sure the point of it is that he stays in with them, so that they won't be afraid. it's a complex mix of horror, sadness, and confusion. but the nobility of his sacrifice in the end is redemptive even of the most opportunistic coward, even in the very darkest situation we can conceive.
I've read the script and believe that some cuts might make it less offensive. The fact that the film has been suppressed for so many years makes people even more curious about it.
Reportedly, the late Jerry Lewis gave his copy of the film to the Library of Congress before his passing, with the stipulation that it now be shown until 2025. So hopefully two years from now we can all finally see it. Thanks for uploading this fascinating footage from that Flemish documentary.
When was it uploaded? And is it really as bad as some people say it is? I've read the plot and I honestly don't get why it's thought to be so disturbing. Of course I'm talking about the movie, not the Holocaust itself. As someone has already pointed out, the premise is somewhat similar to that of Life Is Beautiful, which is considered by many to be a cinematic masterpiece.
It's A Beautiful Life (not the old Xmas movie) :but the movie that won that French comedy actor his well deserved Oscar for best film around 15 years ago /: was [basically] this: Concept. Though not a clown, he was the archetypal Jewish fool in the Nazi ghetto. It was breathtakingly funny and original. I feel this is probably the sort of pathos that JL was talking about attempting to achieve. I fear however, JLs ego as Producer Director Star probably meant the project became way too self indulgent an exercise for him and he lost his objectivity.
Jerry had to be a genius. He was too much of an asshole off screen not to be. and I am one that believes he was a genius , if any filmmaker was a genius. pretty tragic story. Celebrated everywhere he went. Until he went home. They knew better.
They must release this film! A masterpiece I’m sure!
Apparently the ending is what makes the film so dreadful; it has Lewis' clown character coercing children into a gas chamber. Harry Shearer (of Spinal Tap and The Simpsons fame) has seen a rough cut of it and he said “This movie is so drastically wrong, its pathos and its comedy are so wildly misplaced, that you could not, in your fantasy of what it might be like, improve on what it really is. ‘Oh My God!’ - that’s all you can say.”
I read the script and its seems like it was intended to be a serious drama, I've heard that when Lewis signed on he reworked parts of the script, Sadly I think it was likely his doing that certain scenes happened to have forced comedy elements for some reason. For example, there is one scene where a Nazi is trying to force feed the main character( Jerry Lewis) and it reads like its suppose to be this degrading humiliating scene showing the helplessness of Jerry's character and the power and fear that the Nazi's are enforcing but at the end of the scene an extra note in brackets specifies the scene is supposed to be played for comedy? I think this was Lewis's addition to adding more comedic elements to the film.
I've never read the script at all but from what you have said about it, I don't think I even want to! All being said though, I'd love to see a film about the same film; a dramatisation of the whole making and none-release. I think that could be a fascinating insight (albeit semi-fictional) into the whole story.
i'm pretty sure the point of it is that he stays in with them, so that they won't be afraid. it's a complex mix of horror, sadness, and confusion. but the nobility of his sacrifice in the end is redemptive even of the most opportunistic coward, even in the very darkest situation we can conceive.
@@JD-Media he probably couldn't stomach the subject matter so he wanted to make it less tragic. He was hesitant to even take the role apparently.
So like a shit pied piper
I've read the script and believe that some cuts might make it less offensive. The fact that the film has been suppressed for so many years makes people even more curious about it.
So very true. It's the mystery factor that I'm sure causes the most interest in this film (seen by only a handful of people).
Reportedly, the late Jerry Lewis gave his copy of the film to the Library of Congress before his passing, with the stipulation that it now be shown until 2025. So hopefully two years from now we can all finally see it. Thanks for uploading this fascinating footage from that Flemish documentary.
When the movie is released in 2025, I urge people to show their support for Jerry Lewis by attending the movie dressed as clowns.
i'm pissed I didn't download the film wheni t was uploaded to youtube. now its' lost forever, unless someone else has the balls to reupload it.
When was it uploaded?
And is it really as bad as some people say it is? I've read the plot and I honestly don't get why it's thought to be so disturbing. Of course I'm talking about the movie, not the Holocaust itself. As someone has already pointed out, the premise is somewhat similar to that of Life Is Beautiful, which is considered by many to be a cinematic masterpiece.
@@timidkitten1709 nevermind i found it uploaded on another site, and it was only about 30 min worth of footage.
@@timidkitten1709 never saw Life is Beautiful, but the ending for this clown movie is awful and dark
@@haroldallaberg6359 Oh I see. I guess it's one of those films one has to see to understand. Thanks for the info.
@@timidkitten1709 bro you can probably find it online too, go check it out
RIP Jerry Lewis.
Daring precursor to Life Is Beautiful.
Funny you say it's a mirror, because he is called the Mirror Clown.
I'm still waiting for a sequel to CINDERFELLA
It's A Beautiful Life (not the old Xmas movie) :but the movie that won that French comedy actor his well deserved Oscar for best film around 15 years ago /: was [basically] this: Concept. Though not a clown, he was the archetypal Jewish fool in the Nazi ghetto. It was breathtakingly funny and original. I feel this is probably the sort of pathos that JL was talking about attempting to achieve. I fear however, JLs ego as Producer Director Star probably meant the project became way too self indulgent an exercise for him and he lost his objectivity.
The day the clown cried
So this is actually from the film? Does anyone know where you could possibly find it?
How come there aren't any English subtitles?
Cuz
Because it’s a German movie
@@0skullgutz The subtitles are Dutch, however.
@@0skullgutz Jerry Lewis was born in New Jersey lol
Jerry had to be a genius.
He was too much of an asshole off screen not to be.
and I am one that believes he was a genius , if any filmmaker was a genius.
pretty tragic story. Celebrated everywhere he went. Until he went home.
They knew better.
What is the name of this documentary?
LewisDavies2007 der clown
The day the clown cried
Das ist lustig