The Mouse That Roared
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Movie Reviews of The Mouse That Roared
Movie Review: " But what if we win?...."
Summary: 5 Stars
A fellow graduate school student and I saw this film in New Haven when it was first released and had no idea what to expect, except that it starred Peter Sellers whose work we both admired very much in earlier films such as The Ladykillers (1955), Tom Thumb (1958), and I'm All Right Jack (1959). So we settled back in our seats and were immediately enchanted by Grand Fenwick and its monarch, Grand Duchess Gloriana (Sellers). The best way to enjoy this film now is to see it as a whimsical fantasy rather than as a serious satire of the Cold War and the widespread concern then about thermonuclear weapons. Its greatest strength remains the same as it was 45 years ago: The talents of Peter Sellers. He plays three quite different characters, the aforementioned Grand Duchess as well as "Field Marshal" Tully Bascombe (who leads a 20-soldier invasion of the United States) and Count Mountjoy, the devious prime minister. The plot (such as it is) consists of a series of humorous incidents prior to, during, and then following the invasion. As directed by Jack Arnold, the film focuses on the implications of a basic conceit: Declare war on the United States (as did Japan and then Germany), lose the war, and then have your economy restored to greater health than ever before (e.g. Japan and Germany). Count Mountjoy's strategy fails for reasons best revealed in the film. One of the several brilliant elements is Arnold's use of Professor Kokintz (David Kossoff) who has invented the "Q Bomb," a weapon whose nuclear power (he claims) is "approximately" equal to 100 hydrogen bombs. Better yet, it has the size and shape of an American football and thus can easily be tucked under an arm until activated. Presumably the straight-faced silliness throughout this film made a favorable impression on members of the Monty Python Flying Circus.
Regrettably, the DVD version I have offers no special features other than clearer image and sound. Those who enjoy this film are urged to check out Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) in which Alec Guinness plays eight different roles.
Movie Review: A delightful Cold War satire
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Mouse That Roared," directed by Jack Arnold, is an entertaining satire about the fictional Duchy of Grand Fenwick, a tiny European monarchy which may remind viewers of such real countries as Liechtenstein or Monaco. With his country facing bankruptcy, the prime minister of Grand Fenwick announces his clever plan to declare war on the United States of America; his intent is to lose the absurdly uneven contest and reap the benefits of post-war American aid. But things don't go quite as expected.
"Mouse" opens with a whimsical animated title sequence that effectively sets the tone for the rest of the picture. This is followed by a funny faux-documentary sequence about the fictional duchy, and then by the actual story. The film is a splendid showcase for the great Peter Sellers, who plays three characters, all citizens of Grand Fenwick: the scheming prime minister, the venerable duchess, and the mild-mannered commander of the duchy's pitiable army. Sellers is absolutely brilliant; he creates three wonderfully distinct characters, and it's especially fun to see the scenes where these characters interact with each other. His performance(s) alone make the film a classic in my reckoning.
I found "Mouse" to be an enchanting and enjoyable film, full of absurd images and amusing lines. The marvelous sets, costumes, and props are full of wonderful details that make the film a delight for the eye from start to finish. And despite its comic tone, the film touches on some very serious issues that remain timely. I think of "Mouse" as a gentler cousin to the classic "Dr. Strangelove," another military satire that stars Peter Sellers in three different roles; together I think the films would make a great double feature.
Movie Review: The Mouse That Roared
Summary: 5 Stars
ESSENTIAL MOVIE!!! Peter Sellers stars in this British made comedy. In this one he has three roles, one of them being a female role portrayal. The movie centers on the Duchy of Fenwick, a VERY small country somewhere in Europe. They are going broke as a country because their only export, a fine wine, has been imitated, not to mention the name minus one letter has also been stolen. The United States is the main consumer of this wine but the imitator has taken most of this market. So, the powers of the Duchy of Fenwick decide to invade the U.S.A., lose the war, then receive an influx of monetary supply in order to survive.
Of course, it doesn't work out this way. Fenwick invades the U.S.A. with an army of twenty suited out in medieval armor & weapons. Upon entering the States they are supposed to surrender but they stumble upon the professor who has invented the "Q Bomb" & has it in his possession. The Fenwick army takes the professor, the bomb & his daughter back to Fenwick which causes a huge furor in the world's foremost powers. Never has a small country had so much power.
The quality of the DVD is excellent but there aren't any bonus features.
Movie Review: But what if we won ?
Summary: 5 Stars
We already know, that the brilliant decade and a half in U.K., since 1946 to 1961, the bunch of clever films produced in this country as well in drama as comedy has been a true phenomena, a real creative outburst in all the sense of the word. Kind hearts and cornets, Hobson's Choice, The lady killers, The lavender hill mob, The man in the white suit and The mouse that roared are films seem to confirm the prominent leadership in this genre all over the world.
The screenwriters who elaborated this clever film, carried out from head to tail one of the most unforgettable and fabulous comedies ever made. An infinitesimal country of just 4o Km2 ideates a weird plan in order to rearrange some bulky financial deficit, declaring war to United states and so to get some reparations due the imminent defeat, but something unexpected will happen making turn all the theatrical plans.
Brilliant and genial comedy that must figure without any hesitation among the greatest films of comedy in the story if cinema.
Movie Review: Still funny 50 years later
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie has always been at the top of the list for "micronationalists," or people interested in small countries. The movie takes Grand Fenwick, a seemingly insignificant country, and propels it to the world stage by having the nation possess the "Q" Bomb. The result provides hours of laughter and entertainment for the viewer. The main character plays the role of Tully, the Prime Minister, and even the Grand Duchess Gloriana! The film is a display of true acting and talent, and the "tongue-in-cheek" humor of the film will entertain even the casual reviewer.