To Be or Not to Be

Legendary director Ernst Lubitsch—whose comedies of manners such as Ninotchka and Heaven Can Wait—masterfully combine sophisticated satire with elegant sexual tension—turned toward an unusual subject in 1942's To Be or Not to Be. With much of the world suffering under or fighting against Nazism, Lubitsch made a film that underscored the power of people resisting the spread of tyranny—not through a story about obvious heroes, but rather with lovably flawed and funny characters who rise above such messy personal business as infidelity, thwarted ambition, and bruised egos. Jack Benny is superb as hammy Polish actor Joseph Tura, head of a theater troupe that includes his beautiful wife, Maria (Carole Lombard). With the threat of a German invasion hanging over Poland, Tura proceeds with a production of Hamlet but soon discovers that handsome fighter pilot and smitten fan Sobinski (Robert Stack) is taking the Prince of Denmark's famous soliloquy as a cue to visit Maria backstage. Before the outraged Joseph can put an end to their affair, the Nazis occupy the city, forcing both the ensemble and Sobinski to collaborate on a vital mission to stop a German spy (Stanley Ridges) from reporting to a Nazi commander (Sig Ruman). The resulting chicanery involving disguises and subterfuge is both hilarious and ennobling. Presented with a new digital transfer on DVD and Blu-ray, extras include audio commentary by film historian David Kalat, Lubitsch's 1916 German silent short “Pinkus's Shoe Palace,” the 2010 French documentary “Lubitsch le Patron” on the director, and a booklet. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (T. Keogh)