Sidney Poitier directed (sadly without much distinction) this 1980 comedy teaming Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor as New York knuckleheads who try their luck in California and are accused of robbing a bank. Most of the laughs concern their survival strategies in prison (at one point, Wilder decides to "reach out and talk" to some hulking murderer) and their plans to escape. Both performers are so brilliant in any situation that they give this film plenty of funny moments (one or two of which became instantly classic), but this is not exactly a film for the ages. --Tom Keogh

Stir Crazy is the best of the Gene Wilder/Richard Pryor movies. Having recently re-watched it I had forgotten just how funny it was. There are a number of brilliantly realised scenes, particularly in the prison, which for those who remember it from years ago will bring back very happy memories and for the younger generation will introduce you to the best movie comedy double act of the 1970's and 1980's. The highlight of the film is undoubtably Skip (Wilder) and Harry (Pryor) being led to their cell in the prison. Both are acting tough, cool and way over the top and both are hilarious.

Interestingly the two main stars were poles apart in their approach to comedy. Richard Pryor was (sadly deceased in 2005) primarily a brilliant stand-up comedian, whereas Gene Wilder is a brilliant comic actor. The combination of the two reached its peak with this sparkling comedy. The film is directed by Sidney Poiter, and aside from the scenes after the prison, where the film loses some momentum and the level of humour drops a notch, this is a film you can watch repeatedly because of the two brilliant lead performances.

In reality if you removed the two lead actors there really isn't much of a film left, hence I can't give it five stars, but because of the special chemistry that Pryor and Wilder had it certainly deserves 4 stars.

Not a huge fan of Pryor but the wilder - pryor connection always seems to shine through. Very good, charming comedy which out of all the Pryor with Wilder films I've seen, has to be the best. Some memorable scenes, as a film it doesn't take itself too seriously.

Stir Crazy is a 1980 film directed by sidney poitier which stars the late great richard pryor and the wacky gene wilder as two down on their luck mishaps who are wrongly accused of bank robbery and sent to a whopping 125 years each in a prison.
The film is mad in style and clearly very funny,the on screen chemistry between the two leading actors is again immaculate and they both bring their strengths to the table.

5 star winner! if you don't like this, you don't like comedy! simple as that, Pryor and Wilder at their best together on film :) along with a great cast of characters

This is one of my all time favourites and is one of the biggest reasons I became a fan of Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. They are certainly on top form. The style of humour is timeless and it's really great to sit down and watch this with my kids knowing that it's all good clean fun.