IMDb RATING
5.5/10
4.8K
YOUR RATING
A duke dies and leaves the title and wealth to his adult son. But who's the real son: the found baby raised in USA or the abandoned baby raised by a Hindi family in London? Comedy follows.A duke dies and leaves the title and wealth to his adult son. But who's the real son: the found baby raised in USA or the abandoned baby raised by a Hindi family in London? Comedy follows.A duke dies and leaves the title and wealth to his adult son. But who's the real son: the found baby raised in USA or the abandoned baby raised by a Hindi family in London? Comedy follows.
- Awards
- 1 nomination total
Catherine Zeta-Jones
- Kitty
- (as Catherine Zeta Jones)
Charu Bala Chokshi
- Mrs. Patel
- (as Charubala Chokshi)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Eric Idle does his typical zany stuff as an heir to a castle trying to unseat a loopy American (Rick Moranis), who has taken the position. Some of the scenes in the movie really make you think "JESUS H. Christ!!!!!! I'M REALLY WATCHING THIS!!!!!!!" Probably the aspect that catches peoples' eyes the most nowadays is the presence of a very young Catherine Zeta-Jones; when we first saw the movie, we didn't know who she was. But whether or not that's the aspect of "Splitting Heirs" that most catches your eyes shouldn't be the point. The point is that it's a really funny movie. Whether it's Rick Moranis on the roller skates, Eric Idle getting caught with more than his pants down, or something else, you won't find this movie boring. Also starring Barbara Hershey and John Cleese.
This movie starring former Pythons Idle and Cleese, as well as Rick Moranis and Catherine Zeta-Jones is an interesting little comedy about a baby English duke (Idle) who disappeared at birth and lost his inheritance to an American (Moranis). He doesn't learn about the mistake until he's 35, living with his adoptive Pakistani family, and working as a stockbroker for a large firm. Zeta-Jones is Moranis' pretty, golddigging fiance and Barbara Hershey plays the hysterical, widowed nymphomaniac "Duchess Mummy". John Cleese is a mad lawyer and it's clearly not his best work, but fans will like to see his face. Idle is not at his greatest either, but the plot is kinda neat and moves fairly quickly. This was before Zeta-Jones became the "Chicago" superstar she is today, but everyone will note her talent and latina-like beauty. I remember Rick Moranis best as the fabulous "Dark Helmet" in "Space Balls", but I enjoyed him as the nerdy, rollerblading, 10-year-old in a man's body in this one. You may be disappointed at seeing the comedy gods Idle and Cleese fall kind of flat, but give it at least a peek, for there are some quality scenes.
Gosh, I seem to be one of the few people who enjoyed this movie. It certainly wasn't up to the standards of Eric Idle's and John Cleese's other movies, but it still far surpassed many other comedies available (IMHO anyways).
Some parts of this movie had me in stitches. John Cleese right at the end standing on the car for instance.
I'd say this movie isn't the best in the world, but It's still good. 7 out of 10.
Some parts of this movie had me in stitches. John Cleese right at the end standing on the car for instance.
I'd say this movie isn't the best in the world, but It's still good. 7 out of 10.
I saw this film a few nights ago as a late night Channel 4 film. Eric Idle and John Cleese are in classic Monty Python form, with a few in-jokes thrown in too. Rick Moranis is an interesting addition, not brilliantly funny, but he adds the American humour element. I was absolutely sure the film was a late 70's film, from the title sequence, visuals, jokes, the fact that it said "and introducing John Cleese" in the opening credits, and Eric Idle looks very young. I was very surprised to find it was from 1993!
Great comedy, I'd love to see more like this.
Great comedy, I'd love to see more like this.
I had never heard of this film, but saw it on offer and snapped it up because of the cast - 2 Pythons and Catherine Zeta Jones!
Moreover, Barbara Hershey attacks her role with relish, Sadie Frost shines in a love-hate relationship with Idle and Rick Moranis manages not to be irritating, and there are cameos from some classic TV stars: Stratford Johns (Z-Cars and Inspector Barlow), Eric Sykes (Carry-On and his own comedy show) and Brenda Bruce (theatrical works). And yet, somehow, it doesn't quite come together to provide the level of entertainment I expected.
Nevertheless, it is worth a watch on a rainy afternoon when one is in the mood for silliness.
Did you know
- TriviaEric Idle is five years older than Barbara Hershey, who plays his alleged mother--and 10 years older than Rick Moranis although their characters are implied to be about the same age.
- GoofsDuring the Hindu dream sequence, the appliance that holds/guides the arrow in Henry Bullock's ear is visible--and it has no arrowhead on it as it "enters" the ear.
- Crazy creditsand *introducing* John Cleese
- SoundtracksI Put a Spell on You
Written by Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Published by EMI United Partnership Limited
Performed by Nina Simone
Recording Courtesy of Phonogram Limited
- How long is Splitting Heirs?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $3,246,063
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,738,315
- May 2, 1993
- Gross worldwide
- $3,246,063
- Runtime1 hour 27 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was Grandeur et descendance (1993) officially released in India in English?
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