Screw Loose (1999)
A wild Italian-American comedy featuring Mel Brooks as a sanitarium escapee on a chaotic road trip to Milan.
Screw Loose - Movie Information
- Original Title: Svitati
- Release Year: 1999
- Directed by: Ezio Greggio
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 25m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 19, 1999 (United States - R)
- Alternative Titles: Без царя в голове (RU), Mel Brooksin screw loose - Pultti pois (FI), Egy kerékkel több (HU), Com um Parafuso a Menos (BR), Ta 'hei hamena (GR), Pasado de rosca (ES), Без царя в голові (UA)
- Production Companies: Atmosphere Film S.r.l, Thirtieth Century Wolf, Medusa Film
- Production Countries: Italy
Screw Loose - Plot
The owner of an Italian natural food company has a heart attack and asks his son, Bernardo, to find the man who saved his life in World War II and bring him to his deathbed. He does so and finds the man in a sanitarium and must deal with his hijinks all the way back to Milan.
Screw Loose - Trailer
Check out a clip from Screw Loose and get a taste of the comedy chaos:
Watch Screw Loose video on YouTube ↗
Ti faranno ridere...da matti!
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Screw Loose - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ezio Greggio
Main Cast
- Ezio Greggio
- Mel Brooks
- Gianfranco Barra
- Randi Ingerman
- John Karlsen
- Julie Condra
- Niki Lauda
- Enzo Iacchetti
- Dario Ballantini
- Riccardo Miniggio
Writers
- Steve Haberman
- Rudy De Luca
Producers
- Ezio Greggio
- Whitney R. Hunter
Screw Loose - FAQs
What is Screw Loose about?
Screw Loose follows Bernardo Puccini, the son of a dying Italian food magnate, who is sent to track down the WWII soldier who once saved his father's life. The catch? That man, Jake Gordon, is now a patient in a sanitarium — and getting him back to Milan is pure, chaotic comedy.
Is Screw Loose worth watching for Mel Brooks fans?
If you love Mel Brooks in full comedic chaos mode, Screw Loose delivers. He plays Jake Gordon, a lovably unhinged sanitarium resident, and his chemistry with Ezio Greggio keeps the laughs coming. It's a lighthearted, silly romp — not his sharpest work, but genuinely fun for fans of his style.
Where can you watch Screw Loose online?
You can check current streaming availability for Screw Loose on JustWatch, which tracks all rental, purchase, and subscription options in your region. Availability can change, so it's the best place to find the most up-to-date viewing options.
Who plays Jake Gordon in Screw Loose?
Mel Brooks plays Jake Gordon, the eccentric WWII veteran living in an Italian sanitarium. It's a classic Brooks performance — manic, warm, and full of physical comedy. Ezio Greggio, who also directed the film, plays Bernardo Puccini, the long-suffering son tasked with bringing Jake home.
What is the age rating for Screw Loose?
Screw Loose is rated R in the United States. While it's a comedy at heart, the R rating means it's best suited for adult audiences. Parents should keep that in mind before watching with younger viewers.
Did Ezio Greggio direct and star in Screw Loose?
Yes — Ezio Greggio wore two hats on Screw Loose, both directing the film and starring as the lead character Bernardo Puccini. It's a passion project of sorts, pairing the beloved Italian comedian with Hollywood legend Mel Brooks in an Italian-American co-production.
What movies are similar to Screw Loose?
If Screw Loose hit the spot, you might enjoy A Fish Called Wanda, Patch Adams, or Meet the Parents — all comedies with a mix of fish-out-of-water chaos and warm heart. For something with a similar road-trip-with-an-eccentric-companion feel, Once Around and Taking Care of Business are also worth a look.
Where was Screw Loose filmed?
Screw Loose was produced in Italy, with the story set against an Italian backdrop — from a sanitarium to the streets of Milan. The Italian setting is central to the film's humor, playing on cultural clashes as the American patient Jake Gordon navigates his way through the country with his reluctant escort.
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