Befehl ist Befehl: An old-fashioned headache or a charming relic?

Is this actually worth the time?

Look, if you have a soft spot for 1930s German comedy and people screaming at each other for an hour, sure. Dive in. If you prefer your humor to have even a hint of subtlety, steer clear. This is for people who think a man losing his trousers is the height of wit.

It’s the classic story of a guy who can't turn off his drill sergeant brain. Everywhere he goes, he treats the grocery clerk like an infantry private. It’s loud. It’s very, very loud.

The rhythm is... something else.

The pacing here feels like a clock that occasionally skips a beat. You get three minutes of frantic running around a living room, and then suddenly, everyone just stops to talk. The silence is weirdly jarring.

There’s a specific scene where the sergeant tries to order breakfast. He treats the toast like it’s a direct insubordination. I’m pretty sure the actor just wanted to go home, judging by the way he keeps looking at the door. I don't blame him.

It’s all a bit familiar, isn’t it?

If you've ever seen Pop and Son, you know the type of broad comedy we're dealing with here. It’s not trying to be Dinner at Eight, that’s for sure. It’s just trying to fill the seats and get a few guffaws.

The supporting cast is mostly there to look shocked. Every time the lead yells, someone drops a tray or walks into a door. It’s a formula, and it works if you’re half-asleep on a rainy Tuesday.

• The mustache maintenance on display is truly impressive.
• The hallway scenes are just people running in circles.
• I think one extra in the background is definitely reading a newspaper.
• The ending comes so fast I almost missed it.

Honestly? The movie gets better once you stop expecting it to make any sense. Just let the shouting wash over you. It's not great, but it’s certainly not boring in the traditional sense. It’s just... intense. Very intense. 🙄