Me and the Colonel (1958) in Color — Starring Danny Kaye & Curd Jürgens

Me and the Colonel (1958) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the brilliant wartime comedy-drama Me and the Colonel (1958) Colorized, directed by Peter Glenville, starring Danny Kaye in a rare dramatic role as S. L. Jacobowsky, a resourceful and eternally optimistic Polish-Jewish refugee who is forced to team up with a pompous, anti-Semitic Polish colonel to flee Paris ahead of the advancing German army in 1940, a wonderfully witty and deeply moving odd-couple story that uses humor and humanity to address themes of prejudice, survival, and the unlikely bonds forged in desperate times, based on the acclaimed play by Franz Werfel, now available for purchase in stunning color for just €15.00. This digitally enhanced version brings this gem of wartime comedy to vivid new life. Own this DRM-free digital download today.

Plot Summary

Paris, June 1940. The German army is advancing rapidly and the city is about to fall. Among the millions of desperate refugees fleeing south is S. L. Jacobowsky, a Polish Jew who has already been forced to flee his homeland twice — first from the Nazis in Poland, then from continuing persecution. Despite everything, Jacobowsky remains irrepressibly optimistic, resourceful, and determined to survive through wit rather than force.

At the last moment, Jacobowsky manages to acquire the only available automobile in Paris, giving him the means to escape. But fate throws him together with Colonel Tadeusz Boleslav Dobrzenski Dobrzynski Dobranski, an aristocratic Polish military officer who is the complete opposite of Jacobowsky in every way — proud, rigid, traditionally anti-Semitic, and utterly incapable of practical problem-solving. The Colonel is carrying secret documents of vital importance to the Allied cause and must reach the coast to rendezvous with a British submarine.

The Colonel needs Jacobowsky’s car. Jacobowsky needs the Colonel’s military connections. And so begins one of the great odd-couple journeys in cinema, as the two men are forced to travel together through war-torn France, accompanied by the Colonel’s loyal batman Szabuniewicz and his beautiful French girlfriend Suzanne, whose presence adds romantic complication to an already explosive mixture.

As they dodge German patrols, navigate roadblocks, and survive one crisis after another, the relationship between Jacobowsky and the Colonel undergoes a profound transformation. Jacobowsky’s cleverness, warmth, and indomitable spirit gradually break through the Colonel’s prejudices, while the Colonel’s courage and sense of honor earn Jacobowsky’s grudging respect. By the time they reach the coast, both men have been changed forever, and their unlikely friendship has become a powerful testament to the human capacity for growth and understanding.

Cast & Crew

Director: Peter Glenville

Stars: Danny Kaye as S. L. Jacobowsky, Curt Jürgens as Colonel Dobrzenski, Nicole Maurey as Suzanne, Françoise Rosay as Madame Bouffier, Akim Tamiroff as Szabuniewicz, Martita Hunt as Lady Dobrzenski

Danny Kaye delivers perhaps the finest dramatic performance of his career, proving that the beloved comedian was also an actor of remarkable depth and sensitivity. Curt Jürgens matches him perfectly as the proud, difficult Colonel whose prejudices crumble under the weight of shared humanity. Their chemistry is extraordinary — funny, touching, and ultimately deeply moving.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The colorization of Me and the Colonel brings gorgeous visual richness to this wartime journey — the grey-blue of Paris under threat, the warm golden stone of French country buildings, the deep green of French countryside through which the fugitives travel, the dusty brown of country roads choked with refugees, the feldgrau of German military vehicles glimpsed at checkpoints, the warm amber of village café interiors, the bright blue of a Mediterranean sky as they approach the coast, the red and blue of French flags, the elegant dark suits of Jacobowsky contrasting with the Colonel’s military bearing, Nicole Maurey’s luminous French beauty, and the silver-grey of the waiting British submarine. Now also available in colour. Buy Me and the Colonel (1958) Colorized today for €15.00 and own this brilliant classic in a DRM-free format you can enjoy forever.

Historical Significance

Me and the Colonel is based on Franz Werfel’s acclaimed play Jacobowsky and the Colonel, itself inspired by the real-life experiences of a Polish-Jewish businessman who fled the Nazis. The play was a Broadway success and the film preserves its wit and moral seriousness while opening up the story cinematically. Danny Kaye’s performance represents a deliberate departure from his usual comedic persona and is widely regarded as among his finest work. The film addresses anti-Semitism with unusual directness and nuance for its era, showing the transformation of prejudice through shared experience. Director Peter Glenville was a noted theatrical director who brought his skill with actors to the screen. Through colorization, this witty and deeply humane wartime comedy-drama is preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes, professional AI-assisted colorization
• Audio: Original English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: Approximately 110 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this a Danny Kaye comedy?
A: While Me and the Colonel has many genuinely funny moments, it is primarily a dramatic film with comedy elements. Danny Kaye gives a nuanced, moving performance that showcases his range far beyond the slapstick comedy for which he was best known.

Q: Does the film address anti-Semitism?
A: Yes, the relationship between the Jewish Jacobowsky and the anti-Semitic Colonel is central to the film’s themes. The Colonel’s prejudices are confronted honestly and his gradual transformation is one of the most satisfying character arcs in 1950s cinema.

Q: Is this based on a play?
A: Yes, the film is adapted from Franz Werfel’s play Jacobowsky and the Colonel, which was itself inspired by real events during the fall of France in 1940.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file in HD 720p resolution, compatible with virtually all modern devices and media players.

Q: Is the download DRM-free?
A: Yes, your purchase is completely DRM-free. You own the file outright and can watch it on any device without restrictions or recurring fees.

Q: How quickly will I receive the download?
A: Your download link is available immediately after payment is confirmed. You can begin watching Me and the Colonel (1958) Colorized within minutes of your purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• The Great Dictator (1940)
• To Be or Not to Be (1942)
• Casablanca (1942) Full Movie in Color —
• The Prisoner (1955)
• London After Midnight (1927) Minoru Production