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6/10A charming mockumentary about a fictional 1920s personality filmed as if cobbled together from old black-and-white footage.
Reviewed on February 26, 2014
Zelig(1983)
You wanted more when it was all over!
7.4(935)1h 19m1983-07-15
Comedy
Zelig Synopsis
Fictional documentary about the life of human chameleon Leonard Zelig, a man who becomes a celebrity in the 1920s due to his ability to look and act like whoever is around him. Clever editing places Zelig in real newsreel footage of Woodrow Wilson, Babe Ruth, and others.
Zelig (1983) is a comedy film directed by Woody Allen, released on July 15, 1983 with a runtime of 1h 19m. It stars Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Patrick Horgan and John Buckwalter. Viewers rate it 7.4 out of 10 across 935 ratings.
- Director:
- Woody Allen
- Writers:
- Woody Allen
- Producers:
- Robert Greenhut
- Cinematographer:
- Gordon Willis
- Composer:
- Dick Hyman
- Production:
- Orion Pictures, Jack Rollins & Charles H. Joffe Productions
- Budget:
- $13,500,000
- Revenue:
- $11,798,616
- Status:
- Released
Zelig (1983) Trailer
Watch the official trailer for Zelig before you stream it.
Zelig Cast & Crew
Main cast
Woody Allen
as Leonard Zelig
Mia Farrow
as Dr. Eudora Nesbitt Fletcher
- Patrick Horgan
Patrick Horgan
as The Narrator (voice)
John Buckwalter
as Dr. Sindell
- Marvin Chatinover
Marvin Chatinover
as Glandular Diagnosis Doctor
- Stanley Swerdlow
Stanley Swerdlow
as Mexican Food Doctor
- Paul Nevens
Paul Nevens
as Dr. Birsky
Howard Erskine
as Hypodermic Doctor
- Richard Whiting
Richard Whiting
as Other Doctor
- Ralph Bell
Ralph Bell
as Other Doctor
- Will Hussung
Will Hussung
as Other Doctor
Gale Hansen
as Freshman #1
Key crew
Directed by Woody Allen, written by Woody Allen, produced by Robert Greenhut.
Explore more Comedy titles
Zelig Reviews & Ratings
Average viewer score of 7.4/10 from 935 ratings.
tmdb28039023
6/10Leonard Zelig is a "human chameleon," but Zelig the film doesn't stop at mimicry. Indeed, this fictional documentary written, directed, and starring Woody Allen differentiates between imitation and parody the same way Hitchcock differentiated between action and suspense. For example, the protagonist's parents used to punish him by locking him in a dark closet. If that were it, the film would simply be copying an…
Reviewed on September 3, 2022
CinemaSerf
6/10I suppose nowadays we would call this a “mockumentary” about a chap who can be all things to all men except, perhaps, himself. It’s told using interviews, news reports and other actuality to regale us with the life and times of this man who somehow managed to infiltrate just about every scenario, strata of society and political grouping whilst altering his appearance to attain a consistent prominence even though…
Reviewed on June 21, 2025
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Zelig – Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Zelig online?
+
Zelig (1983) does not have a confirmed streaming, rental or digital purchase option listed for your region yet. Availability is refreshed regularly, so check back for updates.
Who stars in Zelig?
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The main cast of Zelig (1983) includes Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Patrick Horgan, John Buckwalter and Marvin Chatinover. The film was directed by Woody Allen. You can see the full cast and crew list, with character names, further up this page.
When was Zelig released?
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Zelig was released on July 15, 1983 and runs for 1h 19m.
Is Zelig worth watching?
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Zelig (1983) holds an average rating of 7.4 out of 10 from 935 viewer votes, and is a good pick if you enjoy comedy films. Read the viewer reviews on this page to decide for yourself.
Is there a trailer for Zelig?
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Yes. The official Zelig trailer is embedded in the trailer section of this page and plays instantly, no download or sign-up required.