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Safety Last!
Safety Last!
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Safety Last!

Safety Last!

1923
Comedy, Suspense/Thriller
1h 14m
When a store clerk organizes a contest to climb the outside of a tall building, circumstances force him to make the perilous climb himself. (imdb)

Directed by:

Fred C. Newmeyer, Sam Taylor

Screenwriter:

Sam Taylor, Hal Roach

Starring:

Harold Lloyd, Richard Daniels, Mildred Davis, Bill Strother, Noah Young, Westcott Clarke

Genres:

Comedy, Suspense/Thriller, Action

Country:

USA

Language:

English
imdb IMDb
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Safety Last!

1923
Comedy, Suspense/Thriller
1h 14m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 71.93% from 1070 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 13 Dec 2017
81
83rd
A definite uneaven classic. The story is not very engaging and there are stretches of boring but the rightfully famous action set-pieces are staggeringly great even today (perhaps especially today). Individual gags and sequences are very well constructed but as a whole the structure is kinda crude and can easily lose your interest momentarily. Lloyd is clearly a great action man but does lacks the acting chops, physical grace and creative vision of someone like Keaton or Chaplin.
Rated 13 Dec 2017
barthalenBarthalen
Rated 16 Jan 2011
81
84th
Even though there are only two set-pieces and the building-climbing is a bit repetitive, the film as a whole is amusing and at times impressive. As I'm a pussy who's afraid of heights, I noticed I was holding my breath a few times when Lloyd comes close to falling down. Not bad for a movie that's almost 90 years old! Great stunts, Lloyd is pretty fun to watch, and the opening sight-gag is absolutely hilarious.
Rated 16 Jan 2011
paxtonPaxton
Rated 18 Feb 2017
89
88th
Acrophobia porn
Rated 18 Feb 2017
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 13 May 2022
80
72nd
This is a movie pretty much entirely designed to get us to the last 20 minutes, and what a 20 minutes it is. The first portion of the movie is enjoyable enough, but the last 20 minutes, the famous building climb set piece that leads to the clock hanging moment that is one of cinema's most enduring images, is an amazing mix of action and comedy that measures up to any era's standards. Even if you think you don't like silent movies, I think you'll like at least the last 20 minutes of this.
Rated 13 May 2022
doyler29doyler29
Rated 18 Dec 2021
80
68th
It would almost be a fairly average silent comedy if not for it's incredible final sequence where Lloyd scales a 5 or 6 story building. Intellectually I know that there's a bit of trickery a foot. Some forced perspective is making it look higher, there's a mat hanging out of camera range and sometimes it's a stunt man. I also know that there's damn little trickery compared to today, and sometimes, Lloyd put his life at risk to deliver this bravura sequence.
Rated 18 Dec 2021
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 22 Jul 2018
80
79th
Enjoyable early comedy that really seems to have two parts: the first is an everyman-story of Lloyd trying to pull in a decent income for him and his fiancee, but bumbling all the way. The final twenty minutes is the famous climb to the clock, which seems more stuntwork than comedy. If you've only ever seen Chaplin and Keaton, Lloyd tends to merge the best of both.
Rated 22 Jul 2018
yiannosYiannos
Rated 22 Jul 2014
85
97th
Lloyd's most iconic film may lack the pathos and insight into human behaviour displayed by other silent era greats, and the plot is entirely frivolous, but it never pretends not to be, and that's one of its greatest virtues. It is a charming film that moves at a brisk pace, and Lloyd is so intensely likeable that we identify with his plight from the outset. It culminates in one of the greatest set pieces in silent film history: a death defying climb that is daring, tense and humorous.
Rated 22 Jul 2014
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 07 Jun 2014
80
77th
The building climb is boring as hell but what came before makes up for it. "One more floor" OKAY one more floor. Guess what, climb up another floor. Oh shit there's 20 minutes left I wonder what the rest of this will be.
Rated 07 Jun 2014
chadisdangerchadisdanger
Rated 29 May 2011
87
91st
Ah, what a blast. Harold Lloyd is such a charming and talented guy. His persona is the ambitious young go-getter maneuvering his way through the cutthroat world of retail store capitalism, and it's great fun just to watch him survive in that environment. The building climb at the end is justly famous. It's at the same time a comic highlight, a thrilling setpiece and a great visual metaphor for the ever-futile striving for upwards mobility.
Rated 29 May 2011
eveeluneveelun
Rated 09 Jan 2009
75
59th
The build-up in the first 45 minutes or so is only so-so. Lloyd doesn't have the same charisma or draw that Keaton and Chaplin have, but it's not that bad. The last half hour is pretty incredible, with Lloyd doing some amazing stunt work.
Rated 09 Jan 2009
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 06 Jun 2022
76
63rd
While it's comedically more uneven, especially earlier on, than the more famous works of Chaplin and Keaton, the entire building-climbing sequence is both hilarious and completely unnerving. Lloyd's charisma carries this.
Rated 06 Jun 2022
lonewolf2003Lonewolf2003
Rated 21 Sep 2021
80
80th
The first part with various shenanigans as a shop clerk are fun, but the movie of course really gets going in the more famous second half in which Lloyd climbs the building. Resulting in multiple moments that still left me gasping nowadays.
Rated 21 Sep 2021
antidood1antidood1
Rated 06 Aug 2017
80
84th
The last movie to give me clammy hands was probably Gravity. The final thirty minutes of Safety Last accomplished the same thing, even though I knew fully well that nothing bad was going to happen. It's almost 100 years old, but it looks more impressive, more convincing, more aesthetically pleasing even, than a lot of modern movies. It's also charming and consistently funny, what more do you want?
Rated 06 Aug 2017
oskarhuoskarhu
Rated 28 Feb 2017
79
69th
The ending is impressive but in general Lloyd doesn't have enough comic value to make this film great.
Rated 28 Feb 2017
sheldrakeSheldrake
Rated 30 Oct 2013
90
97th
Rewatch. Unlike Chaplin, who I must suffer through every so often, or Keaton, who requires a break between appreciations, I could probably watch Lloyd every day and never stop enjoying it. The dude's got charisma out the wazoo. The film's climax is legendary for good reason. I've seen this in the theater twice (with live orchestra once as well) and would do so again at the drop of a hat.
Rated 30 Oct 2013
troothTrooth
Rated 15 Aug 2013
75
70th
Great Spider-Man movie
Rated 15 Aug 2013
guvolefouguvolefou
Rated 31 Mar 2013
84
88th
32. İstanbul Film Festivali - Beyoğlu Sineması: Gördüğüm en iyi slapstick komedisi olabilir; buna zaman içinde karar vereceğim. Yer yer gerçek anlamda kahkaha attım. Perdede görmüş olmaktan fazlasıyla mutluyum. Üstelik içi de dolu tematik anlamda.
Rated 31 Mar 2013
kowryKowry
Rated 30 Aug 2012
30
62nd
Pretty fun and creative, even if only the last third is truly captivating. Some of the gags have been overused to death since this film's release, but here they still manage to be funny - for the most part, at least.
Rated 30 Aug 2012
bojanglesBojangles
Rated 09 Nov 2011
65
69th
While Keaton was the silent era's stuntman and Chaplin the sentimentalist, Harold Lloyd appears to be the consummate craftsman (at least in the arena of comedy.) His movies tell a clear story, are funny, romantic, and a refutation of the idea that silents are boring. Indeed, the downfall of his movies seems to be that the second act is guilty of trying to do too much (i.e., an over saturation of sight gags.)
Rated 09 Nov 2011
syntheseizurSyntheseizur
Rated 31 Oct 2011
81
65th
Lloyd's humor, in comparison to contemporaries Keaton and Chaplin, feels more mature and--at times--dry. His jokes and gags are more spaced, which gives the film a slower pace but can unfortunately kill some of the comedy. The centerpiece of the film features Lloyd scaling a sky-scraper, and it is certainly spectacular, but it's more notable for the thrills rather than the laughs. It's a fine film but it leaves one hoping it were a bit funnier.
Rated 31 Oct 2011
seanberndorffSeanBerndorff
Rated 15 Dec 2010
75
64th
Fine movie with a lot of fun little gems. Lloyd is funny but I'd still prefer Buster Keaton anytime though.
Rated 15 Dec 2010
johnnyzombieJohnnyZombie
Rated 28 Jan 2010
90
83rd
The building climb is simply amazing.
Rated 28 Jan 2010
paradigmaParadigma
Rated 22 Dec 2008
80
89th
Very entertaining and realistic.
Rated 22 Dec 2008
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 14 Dec 2008
8
82nd
Combines the heart of Chaplin with the physical amazingness of Buster Keaton. Really cool movie.
Rated 14 Dec 2008
tonydaltonydal
Rated 29 Dec 2007
75
57th
Containing (as I recall) one immortal sight gag: the deal where him and his roommate "climb into" their coats to escape a clamoring landlord.
Rated 29 Dec 2007
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 07 Feb 2007
82
73rd
I don't think Harold Lloyd has quite the charisma of Buster Keaton, but this is undoubtedly a supremely entertaining and inventive work.
Rated 07 Feb 2007
rotaciravrotacirav
Rated 23 Sep 2024
52
56th
The impostor comedy is quite funny, and the skyscraper climb thrilling (though itʼs blatantly not the same building throughout). Itʼs always useful to get acquainted with the standard of successful mediocrity from which famous artists stood out: Keaton does the same thing much better, while Chaplin does another thing entirely.
Rated 23 Sep 2024
chadarnookchadarnook
Rated 09 Sep 2024
80
58th
Some pretty cool footage of Los Angeles in its street car era, with impressive physicality and easy charisma from Lloyd, as well as a few laugh-out-loud gags.
Rated 09 Sep 2024
pdm82PDM.82
Rated 11 Apr 2024
92
76th
The iconic shot of Harold Lloyd hanging from a clock and dangling from a skyscraper Is an image for the ages. Lloyd's climb to success with "Safety Last!" made him a major figure in the early silent era of movies. A fun film with a combination of clever gags, visual storytelling and skillfully done trick camerawork. Lloyd is a great silent comedian of slapstick comedy and succeeds by sheer will, courage and experimentation. Lloyd's most famous film is filled with laughs and full of thrills!
Rated 11 Apr 2024
brrrpbrrrp
Rated 19 Feb 2024
25
8th
Not a very intelligent movie. There is some nice cinematographic work, but I found this rather dull overall.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
bookhouseboybookhouseboy
Rated 12 Feb 2024
65
86th
#24#, rw2, ratings, "Project 100-80-60-40-20"-1923#2
Rated 12 Feb 2024
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 09 Jul 2023
75
49th
What starts as an amiable but fairly run-of-the-mill silent comedy, with Keaton-Chaplin overtones, is kicked up a notch by the justly famous final act, which doesn’t quite top Keaton or Chaplin, but is an impressive bit of heart-in-the-mouth stuntwork. Otherwise, Lloyd just doesn’t have the charisma or presence of his competitors and the film overall lacks the oomph and momentum required to be truly memorable.
Rated 09 Jul 2023
twincinematwincinema
Rated 14 Aug 2022
80
75th
Imagine explaining to someone in the U.S. in 1923 that not only do people make more than $15 a week, but there's a huge push for the minimum wage to be $15 an hour now. Their first question would probably be, "what's a minimum wage?"
Rated 14 Aug 2022
redflagredflag
Rated 31 Jan 2022
97
89th
Charming :)
Rated 31 Jan 2022
hadleyreisHadleyreis
Rated 29 Nov 2020
81
79th
Clockhugger
Rated 29 Nov 2020
julesfmbjulesfmb
Rated 11 Feb 2020
65
64th
The climbing scene is nice, but everything before that is pretty dull and pedestrian.
Rated 11 Feb 2020
hotsakehotsake
Rated 10 Aug 2019
82
95th
This was a really fun and exciting film with the building climb being the highlight but there are lots of other fun things to enjoy along the way.
Rated 10 Aug 2019
ottott
Rated 01 Nov 2018
55
31st
when something provokes my fear of hights i don't feel thrilled, i feel agitated
Rated 01 Nov 2018
kfolkfol
Rated 22 Apr 2018
86
92nd
My introduction to the wonderful world of silent comedy. A still from this film hangs on my bedroom wall as a reminder of the power of cinema.
Rated 22 Apr 2018
petrostserPetrosTser
Rated 05 Jan 2017
70
70th
monisitMonisit
Rated 19 Nov 2016
93
89th
Sure it's built around one stunt - but that one stunt is worth it. What comes before that is fantastic as well, with a character that seems grounded but still entertaining.
Rated 19 Nov 2016
pmcinernpmcinern
Rated 01 Jun 2016
90
87th
holy shit
Rated 01 Jun 2016
darrenDarren
Rated 30 Apr 2016
70
54th
Wish I found this funnier/more interesting but it's good for what it is. Will wait until I see more Lloyd flicks to fully pass judgement on him as a performer.
Rated 30 Apr 2016
seethruskinSeethruskin
Rated 26 Apr 2016
4
51st
Not even close to the greatness of Keaton, or even Chaplin. Could've just been a short about him climbing the clock.
Rated 26 Apr 2016
ribcageribcage
Rated 03 Sep 2015
60
38th
Not my brand of comedy. The building climb is certainly worth watching but the rest of the movie had only a few bright spots for me.
Rated 03 Sep 2015
heliophageHeliophage
Rated 15 May 2015
94
99th
A fresh and well-made comedy, culminating in the famously thrilling climbing sequence.
Rated 15 May 2015
tonykbTonyKB
Rated 01 Apr 2015
90
84th
En av de beste stumfilmkomediene jeg har sett, ene og alene på grunn av de siste tyve minuttene. Noen av stuntene Lloyd gjør i det han klatrer oppover bygningen er utrolig nervepirrende, og jeg satt hele tiden med en skrekkblandet fryd selv om jeg jo visste at det ville ende bra. Alt opp mot avslutningen fungerer også godt med opptil flere morsomme, men enklere gags.
Rated 01 Apr 2015
lisa_iilisa-
Rated 02 Aug 2014
4
52nd
it's fine for what it is. but what it is is not really my thing. slapstick doesn't do an awful lot for me apparently, and i probably should have watched this with other people.
Rated 02 Aug 2014
the_pirateThe Pirate
Rated 24 Jan 2014
88
88th
Some parts of this movie are really frustrating, but overall it's a stupendous accomplishment in film!
Rated 24 Jan 2014
hulothulot
Rated 15 Oct 2013
80
82nd
watched: 2013, 2020
Rated 15 Oct 2013
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 03 Aug 2013
90
80th
Even though I know how it was made and exactly what amount of danger Harold Lloyd was in, the sequence where he attempts to scale a twelve story building still makes me a bit nervous as he hilariously fumbles around on those precarious heights. That's what movies are about.
Rated 03 Aug 2013
caimancaiman
Rated 17 Jul 2013
87
85th
I'm not going to do the obvious thing of comparing Harold Lloyd to Chaplin or Keaton... who am I kidding, yes I am: Lloyd isn't quite up to the level of charisma and charm as those two greats, but he's damn close. I find his character very likable and fun. The gags in this movie are hit and miss, but I was smiling the entire time. And the last third, with its impressive stunt work and nail biting intensity, was as thrilling as anything I've seen from Keaton.
Rated 17 Jul 2013
funkyastroFunkyAstro
Rated 31 Dec 2012
80
80th
One of the first great comedies of early film. Great stunt work and directing. Awesome shots and edits. Very impressive.
Rated 31 Dec 2012
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 25 May 2012
85
71st
Not quite as groundbreaking as some of the other comedies coming out at the time, but technically deft, and jovial throughout.
Rated 25 May 2012
iyisinekiyisinek
Rated 29 Feb 2012
78
79th
tezgahtar, magaza, kumasci, köyden kente calismaya gelmek, duvara tirmanmak, binaya tirmanmak, kendini oldugundan farkli göstermek. 7 Mart 2021 Pazar Çocuklarımla tekrar izledim beğendiler. +2 puan ekledik.
Rated 29 Feb 2012
sebbysebby
Rated 05 Feb 2012
65
59th
I know Bill Murray absolutely thinks this movie is the bee's tits, and I will flog myself with a frozen leek later for saying this, but not everything Bill Murray says is scripture. It ain't bad, but it also ain't Chaplin or Keaton.
Rated 05 Feb 2012
damildamil
Rated 19 Jan 2012
80
90th
While he wasn't as famous as Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd was very prolific in his own right. Though he's not quite as oddball as the other two. It includes the very famous sequence where he climbs a building. I found the whole thing pretty stressful to watch, to be honest. I liked the film. It had a very simple story and many great gags.
Rated 19 Jan 2012
kadrianKadrian
Rated 30 Dec 2011
60
72nd
I remember seeing a TV show about Harold Lloyd years ago. According to it, Lloyd did his own stunts without benefit of safety harnesses or nets. This guy was one serious high-wire act.
Rated 30 Dec 2011
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 02 Dec 2011
53
6th
#937
Rated 02 Dec 2011
killerbobbKillerBobb
Rated 05 Oct 2011
66
47th
Harold Lloyd rightly deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Buster Keaton & Charlie Chaplin, his charm in being the all-American boy-next-door is a very appealing one. 'Safety Last!' has some gob-smacking stunts & real warmth throughout, a pleasure to watch.
Rated 05 Oct 2011
sirrobbieSirRobbie
Rated 09 Nov 2010
80
81st
The bit with the jackets and the whole scene in the haberdashery were in fact more hillarious than the legendary building-climbing sequence.
Rated 09 Nov 2010
durnettDurnett
Rated 20 Aug 2009
80
66th
One of Harold Lloyd's classics!
Rated 20 Aug 2009
lphovercraftLPhovercraft
Rated 15 Mar 2009
71
63rd
Outstanding silent comedy is hilarious and exciting; Lloyd knows exactly how far to push the skyscraper derring do before whisking his hero to safety.
Rated 15 Mar 2009
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 08 Feb 2008
72
32nd
I'm not really a fan of comedy predicated on misunderstandings and dangerous situations, which unfortunately make up two thirds of this movie. Still, if that's your thing you'll enjoy it. There's certainly some decent comedy throughout, and the famous clock scene is very well done.
Rated 08 Feb 2008
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 13 Jan 2008
90
87th
O homem mosca estreava há 100 anos na Suécia. Nem sempre gosto do Lloyd, mas esse aqui é sua obra-prima e talvez tenha a melhor sequência de ação da história do cinema. E sim, Lloyd fez a maior parte dos stunts, mas também usou dublê. Box OP Harold Lloyd.
Rated 13 Jan 2008
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 22 Oct 2007
3
38th
Not as cinematically inspired as Chaplin or Keaton's work, but undeniably funny and creative. What it (comparatively) lacks in cinematic flair, it makes up for in Lloyd's charisma and likability, and great physical gags from start to finish. The extended centerpiece of the film - the scaling of a department store as a publicity stunt - manages never to lose its steam over its half an hour or so of duration. And all the while through, you're rooting for Lloyd's vulnerable but charming character.
Rated 22 Oct 2007
aarona1caarona1c
Rated 24 Aug 2007
100
97th
I just watch the clock-scene over and over.
Rated 24 Aug 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
73rd
Harold Lloyd doing his stuff in this classic silent film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007

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