The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob

THE WILD... THE HILARIOUS... THE SCREWBALL... THE RIOTOUS

1973 • 100 min • Comedy

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Synopsis

In this riot of frantic disguises and mistaken identities, Victor Pivert, a blustering, bigoted French factory owner, finds himself taken hostage by Slimane, an Arab rebel leader. The two dress up as rabbis as they try to elude not only assasins from Slimane's country, but also the police, who think Pivert is a murderer. Pivert ends up posing as Rabbi Jacob, a beloved figure who's returned to France for his first visit after 30 years in the United States. Adding to the confusion are Pivert's dentist-wife, who thinks her husband is leaving her for another woman, their daughter, who's about to get married, and a Parisian neighborhood filled with people eager to celebrate the return of Rabbi Jacob.

Our family guide

Best from age 7

Movie Knight Score

1076 reviews

74 Audience · 1076 · 100%

Victor Pivert, a bigoted factory owner, is taken hostage by an Arab rebel leader. They disguise themselves as rabbis to evade assassins and the police, leading to hilarious mistaken identities, including Pivert posing as the beloved Rabbi Jacob. A fast-paced comedy with chases and misunderstandings ensues.

Violence & peril: 3/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 1/10
Romance & sensuality: 0/10
Scary moments: 2/10

Heads up

Some slapstick chase sequences with minor peril.
Mild comedic portrayal of a bigoted character.
Brief moments of characters being held against their will.

What it models well

Overcoming prejudice
Acceptance of others
Unlikely friendships

Talk about it after

How misunderstandings can lead to unexpected situations.
The importance of looking beyond appearances.
The humor found in different cultures interacting.

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.