You Must Be Joking

  • 1965
  • NR
  • 95m
movieMx RATING
5.1/109
VERDICT
AVERAGE
Advertisement

Performance & Direction: You Must Be Joking Review

Last updated: February 1, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 1, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is You Must Be Joking (1965) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and You Must Be Joking features a noteworthy lineup led by Michael Callan . Supported by the likes of Lionel Jeffries and Denholm Elliott , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of You Must Be Joking (1965) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.1/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Result: AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, You Must Be Joking stands as a AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: You Must Be Joking

Quick Plot Summary: You Must Be Joking is a Comedy film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: You Must Be Joking

Ending Breakdown: You Must Be Joking attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.

The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of You Must Be Joking reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch You Must Be Joking?

Consider Watching If:

  • You're a completist for Comedy films
  • You're curious despite mixed reviews
  • You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Advertisement

Top Cast: You Must Be Joking

All Cast & Crew →
Michael Callan
Michael CallanLieutenant Tim Morton
Lionel Jeffries
Lionel JeffriesSergeant-Major McGregor
Denholm Elliott
Denholm ElliottCaptain Tabasco
Wilfrid Hyde-White
Wilfrid Hyde-WhiteGeneral Lockwood
Bernard Cribbins
Bernard CribbinsSergeant Clegg
Leslie Phillips
Leslie PhillipsYoung Husband
Terry-Thomas
Terry-ThomasMajor Foskett
Irene Handl
Irene HandlElderly Woman
Lee Montague
Lee MontagueStaff Sergeant Mansfield
Advertisement

You Must Be Joking Parents Guide & Age Rating

1965 Advisory
NR

Official Age Rating

Wondering about You Must Be Joking age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

You Must Be Joking is rated NR.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of You Must Be Joking is 95 minutes (1h 35m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.1/10, and global performance metrics, You Must Be Joking is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1965 cinematic calendar.

AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for You Must Be Joking. Rating: 5.1/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is You Must Be Joking worth watching?

You Must Be Joking is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.1/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find You Must Be Joking parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for You Must Be Joking identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of You Must Be Joking?

The total duration of You Must Be Joking is 95 minutes, which is approximately 1h 35m long.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked You Must Be Joking

How You Must Be Joking Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for You Must Be Joking

No reviews found for this filter.

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

Advertisement
Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 5.1
You Must Be Joking
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/you-must-be-joking-263440" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 5.1</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">You Must Be Joking</div></div></a>

Share this rating on your blog or website. Includes a 100% organic backlink.

More with Michael Callan

View full filmography