Review of The Mouse That Roared (1959) by Daryl . — 08 Oct 2009
The Mouse That Roared was made into a 1959 film starring Peter Sellers . Other cast members included: William Hartnell (as Will Buckley), David Kossoff (as Professor Alfred Kokintz), Leo McKern (as Benter, the Opposition Leader), MacDonald Parke (as General Snippet), and Austin Willis (as the United States Secretary of Defense).
The tiny (3 miles by 5 miles) European Duchy of Grand Fenwick, nestled in the Alps between Switzerland and France, proudly retains a pre-industrial economy, dependent almost entirely on making Pinot Grand Fenwick wine.
The mouse of the title is really Peter Sellers, and what roared was Sellers' uniquely anarchic comic talents: he plays three roles, demonstrating his breathtaking acting range, in this somewhat dated but dead-on political satire.
In the main one, he is the leader of a tiny country called Grand Fenwick that declares war on the United States in order to receive post-war aid that would rescue it from bankruptcy. In 1959, with Europe still nursing its wounds from World War II and envying the United States' prosperity, the topic was a winning one for both British and American audiences.
Based on a novel by Leonard Wibberley, the archly preposterous script supposes that 20 soldiers invade New York clad in chain-mail armor. Sellers is the leader of the invading force as well as the prime minister, but his most hilarious turn involves cross-dressing as the grand duchess.
The Mouse That Roared is indispensible for Sellers fans. A film even hilarious today. Politics haven't changed!!! One of my "little small diamonds" perfect for weekend.
This review of The Mouse That Roared (1959) was written by Daryl . on 08 Oct 2009.
The Mouse That Roared has generally received positive reviews.
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