Review of Monte Carlo or Bust! (1969) by Stuart K — 30 Jul 2009
After the success of Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965), director Ken Annakin decided to do a sort-off sequel, this time doing it around a car race. He assembled an all star cast, as he'd done before, and had it on just as epic a scope.
It's fun while it lasts, and it's probabily one of the last of these all star comedies before they went out of fashion. Set during an international car rally in Europe, where the contestants start from various points, (John O'Groats, Sweden, Portugal, Sicily and Athens), it's an ensemble piece which follows the different kinds of drivers that take part.
From posh rotter Sir Cuthbert Ware-Armitage (Terry-Thomas) and Percy Perkins (Eric Sykes), the co-driver he's blackmailing. American mechanic Chester Schofield (Tony Curtis) and the posh girl Betty (Susan Hampshire).
There's also military inventors Major Digby Dawlish (Peter Cook) and Lt. Kit Barrington (Dudley Moore) racing through Sweden and Denmark against jewel smuggler Willi Schickel (Gert Fröbe). It's a live action very of the Wacky Races essentially, but it's good silly family fun, the kind of film they just don't make anymore.
It's well made, (although there is alot of rear-projection), and the romantic subplot is half-baked. But, it holds hope. It was released in America under the title of Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies.
This review of Monte Carlo or Bust! (1969) was written by Stuart K on 30 Jul 2009.
Monte Carlo or Bust! has generally received positive reviews.
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