The Mouse That Roared

THE MOUSE THAT ROARED is a color film starring Peter Sellars in three roles. The movie is a comedy, but it is only moderately amusing, and it will not evoke any laughs. The plot is clever, but in the hands of the scriptwriter and director, the movie is slow-moving, obvious, repetitive, and dull. The subject matter was timely and relevant during the 1950s, and it is just as timely and relevant today, when North Korea and Iran repeatedly threaten to blow up other countries with nuclear weapons.The plot of THE MOUSE THAT ROARED involves the following elements. A tiny country in Europe, the Duchy of Grand Fenwick, has an economy that depends on making Pinot Grand Fenwick wine. At the start of the movie, we learn that an American winery has started making, "Pinot Grand Enwick." As a result, Americans switched to buying Grand Enwick wine instead of Grand Fenwick wine. Ordinarily, the best approach would be to file a lawsuit for trademark infringement. However, in this movie, royalty decide to declare war on the United States. In deciding to declare war on the United States, royalty is hoping to lose the war, and is counting on losing, so that they can receive economic assistance from the United States. (It helps if the viewer is aware of the Marshall Plan, used after WWII.) The viewer of the film is treated to scenes where actors, dressed in medieval archery soldier uniforms, take a tugboat across the Atlantic Ocean and invade New York City. The invaders in their medieval archery uniforms captures the Q-bomb, as well as its inventor, Dr. Kokintz and his beautiful daughter.What makes the movie especially tedious and obvious, is that a segment of the movie, lasting on and off for about 15 minutes, copies from the plot of WAR OF THE WORLDS, performed on radio by Orson Welles. The Orson Welles broadcast was October 30, 1938. Again and again, actors in the movie refer to the invaders from Fenwick as men from Mars. But this is a boring running joke. The actors wear medieval armor that, as any viewer can see, does not in any way resemble an imaginary man from Mars. Again and again, the actors in the movie feign alarm about the "men from Mars." But I did not find the actors, dressed in chain mail and helmets, to resemble any "men from Mars." Another boring aspect of THE MOUSE THAT ROARED is a running joke where two men in bare feet are trodding on grapes, making wine.The irony, intended by the scriptwriter, is that royalty in Grand Fenwick picked one of the least capable of the Duchy's citizens, named Tully Bascombe, to lead the attack on the United States, with the hope that his team of archers would lose the invasion, resulting in economic aid from the U.S. But the result, as shown by the acting and the plot, was that the Duchy's invasion succeeded, due to the capture of the Q-bomb by the invading army from the Duchy of Fenwick. To repeat, the irony used in this movie is that a person chosen to perform a task, who was chosen on the basis of his incompetence, actually succeeds in performing the task. This is a clever plot element. But it could have and should have been handled much better by the scriptwrter and actors.I saw THE MOUSE THAT ROARED when it first came out in 1959. I remembered two parts from the movie, namely the part where the U.S. military man demands that he be fed with tin plates, and the other part where the actors toss the Q-bomb to each other in a football game. Thus, upon this second viewing (in the year 2012), I started to watch THE MOUSE THAT ROARED with optimism. Unfortunately, my initial optimism continually shrivelled during the hour. I was doomed to spend the entire hour in boredom.The question that arises is as follows. Why did I like this movie when I first saw it at the age of eight? The answer is as follows. Little children are easily impressed and captivated by shows such as TELETUBBIES or THEODORE THE TUGBOAT or THE BIG COMFY COUCH (from the current era) or by CAPTAIN KANGAROO or ROMPER ROOM (from a previous era). Thus, my advice to potential customers is as follows. If you find yourself captivated by TELETUBBIES, or by similar shows for infants and toddlers, then you will likely enjoy THE MOUSE THAT ROARED. But if you are not captivated by TELETUBBIES, then you will likely find THE MOUSE THAT ROARED to be boring, obvious, and slow-moving.The film that comes closest to the type of comedy that was intended by the writers of THE MOUSE THAT ROARED is TOP SECRET. TOP SECRET is a 1984 comedy film directed by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker. TOP SECRET succeeds marvelously with its many sight-gags. THE MOUSE THAT ROARED also has many clever sight-gags, but they are brought down by the heavy weight of tedium that is provided by all other aspects of THE MOUSE THAT ROARED. Therefore, I suggest the interested customer purchase TOP SECRET instead.

Sellers has multiple roles in this movie, all done differently and perfectly. A new type of bomb is developed, and a country with problems selling its wine finds a way to use it to bring unexpected peace to the world.

One of his best movies. Nowhere near the performances in Dr. Strangelove, of course, but this was meant to be lightweight and fun, with some serious overtones. Those were handled well (better than the book). Sellers excels in multiple roles (again, like Strangelove). This is a delightful movie with a superb supporting case, fine script that walks the line between too cute and too serious, and great sets. Really, how do you handle such immense power? It's a delight to watch, and highly recommended.

This merry, cheerful, clever and hysterically funny movie is one of my all time favorite comedies. Below, more of my impressions with some limited SPOILERS!The Duchy of Grand Fenwick is situated in the Alps between France and Switzerland. Created in 1370 by an English knight, it is the only English speaking country in continental Europe. With a surface of 39 square kilometres and a population of about 6000 it is also amongst the smallest independent countries in the world (in real world, only Vatican City, Monaco, Nauru and Tuvalu are smaller than this fictitious state). When this film begins, Grand Fenwick faces an unprecented crisis, threatening the very economical survival of the nation - but the Prime Minister presents to the Duchess and the Parliament a daring plan which should solve all the problems...What follows is a wonderful comedy, full of gags and brilliant dialogs, with a stellar performance by Peter Sellers, who plays three different roles, including that of the Hereditary Field Marshal and High Constable Tully Bascombe, who is in command of all Grand Fenwick armed forces...))) Jean Seberg supports him valiantly in a secondary but important role. I was not familiar with other actors, but it seems that they were all skilled veterans of British cinema and theatre.I saw this film at least four times in my life and it always cheered me up. This film uses a kind of intelligent, clever and merry humor without vulgarity - which is a rare thing in present day movies. Humor is also less cruel and vicious than in more modern comedies in which villains are sometimes crucified without any mercy - here, even when complete idiots are terribly mocked, it is still made with some humanity and kindness retained. And I always found this a very precious thing.This film is a wonderful, precious thing - to buy, watch and keep. Enjoy!

"The Mouse that Roared," is an early sixties British film. Peter Sellers stars in three different roles in this production. All equally done as only he can. For me, the sixties were an innovative time in film, far more innovative, but not necessarily as risqué as film comedies became in the seventies and eighties. Loved the opening credits, loved the fact that this could be shown to the family, loved Peter Sellers, and even got to see William Hartnell in a pre Dr. Who role. Done on a budget, but not without care.The main focus of Leonard Wibberly's novel is maintained, with the world's smallest country declaring war on the United States due to a Californian wine company infringing upon their trademark product. We don't have that kind of plot line today in current comedies. Most comedies are rom coms, and don't look for some kind of plot or situation to build upon.Slow at times, but good. Wish Hollywood would check out the works of Leonard Wibberly.--jthreeWilliston ND

結合されていますが、ASIN: B0000695JU　EAN： 5035822015630のレビューです。リージョン1となっていますが実物はリージョン2のPAL盤です。「Mouse that roared」、子ネズミ吠える、とか、子ネズミ宣戦布告、突撃みたいな意味でしょうか。コロンビアスタジオのロゴの女神が動き出すアイデアに意表を突かれます。ちょっと柳原良平のイラストや松浦弥太郎の翻訳絵本（サセックの世界の都市絵本）のようなオープニングタイトルと続く導入部がかわいい。アルプスにほど近いという架空のグランド・フェンウィック公国、世界一小さな国家（ほとんど村・・）。ここの女君主と実権を握る伯爵の首相、そして上陸隊長の3役をセラーズが演じるSFテイストも混じった外交風刺の戦争喜劇。ただしドンパチなし、弓矢です。後にキューブリックの「博士の異常な愛情」での1人3役をすでに数年前に挑戦していたんですね（内容としても少しこれを先取りした点もあります）。イーリング・スタジオの傑作「カインド・ハーツ」（KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS, 1949）で1人8役をしたアレック・ギネス（おそらくセラーズが憧れ、嫉妬した）へのささやかな挑戦状のジャブだったのかも知れません。ワインしか産業のないのに米が模造品を大量生産し国家財政は逼迫。なんと米に宣戦布告を決意する。そして敗者をアメリカは救済するという論理の下で、米に上陸し開戦、すぐに白旗降参しようとする。つまり負けに行くのです。20人ぐらい送ればいいだろうとなり、鎖帷子の弓矢隊（中世のいでたち）を、片頭痛もちで偏平足で閉所恐怖症で近眼で高所恐怖症で船酔いもちのタリー・バスコンベ（セラーズ）、森林保安員で弓矢隊の教官の彼にまかせることになります。そして宣戦布告文を郵便局から速達で送るのですが・・。そしてニューヨークに鎖帷子に竹弓を持って蒸気貨物船で入国。折しも東海岸では新型爆弾の実験中で市民は避難中。人っ子一人いないN.Y.のシュールな光景を英国映画で観るとは。そしてその中をやはり中世のいでたちでウロウロするセラーズらご一行さま。農民たちの軍隊がほのぼのして頬が緩みます。こんなペースと含みをもったコメディというのは今ではあまり見られない気がします。強烈なストレート、アッパーカット（モンティパイソンやクルーゾー警部みたいな）はありませんが、ライト級ボクサーが繰り出すジャブの連打です。じわじわ効きます。上陸発覚の後は一言一言が可笑しくて・・。果ては新兵器と開発博士と娘をさらい捕虜として欧州へ・・。そして自然に流布した火星人侵略という噂はペンタゴンまでまきこんでしまいます。このあたりに冷戦下の米のヒステリー状況を皮肉る英国らしい（？）のユーモアが感じられます。セラーズがうまく、他にはジーン・セバーグが気は強いが可愛い博士の娘をストレートに演じます。言語の違いを活かしたやりとりも楽しい。そしてフェンウィック国防軍（20人ぐらい）隊長のウィリアム・ハートネル、奸計を持つ庶民院トップのレオ・マッカーン（一応、庶民院と貴族院らしきものはある（10人ずつぐらい））がうまい。原作「小鼠ニューヨークを侵略」（創元推理文庫）。本サイトでもすごく評価が高く中古が安い。脚色はアレック・ギネス主演のイーリング・コメディ「白衣の男」（THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT, 1951）のロジャー・マクドゥガルと「コレクター」「オーメン2」「かもめの城」のスタンリー・マン。監督は「大アマゾンの半魚人」「縮みゆく人間」などの職人ジャック・アーノルド。まったくシャープでスマート、大胆なジャンプ、かつ含みのある演出が快調すぎて唸る。一杯やりながらニヤニヤ鑑賞するにはもってこい。ただ邦盤ディスクが出ていません。単語さえ辞書で引けば字幕の文法は比較的易しいものでしたがぜひ邦盤発売を祈念したいところ（「ピーター・セラーズのマ☆ウ☆ス」というヒドイ邦題で昔VHSでは出ていたようですが）。原作の続編「月ロケット・ワイン号」(THE MOUSE ON THE MOON ,1963) はテレビ放映のみらしいですがリチャード・レスター監督作。邦盤未ディスク化でセラーズは出ていないが観たいものです。ラスト近くが少し弱い気がしますが、適度なスパイスと呑気さのバランスが楽しい。セラーズ・ファンは観るべき1作と思います。どこか廉価で出して。Mouse that roared, 1959, UK, Columbia Pictures / Columbia PicturesTheatrical aspect ratio 1.85：1 , 83 min, Color, Mono, 35mm-------------------------------------------------------------------------画質はDVDとしては及第点。傷・ゴミ・パラがちらほら。ガタツキはなし。色合いは退色感ありだが滲みはない。諧調は割と出ていてなんとか許容範囲だがストレスはないレベル。リージョン2, PAL映像仕様は16:9LB（Widescreen,ヴィスタ）、画面アスペクト比：1.85: 1片面 1層、80min（PALマスターのためか4％早い）、Color音声：英語、独語、仏語、イタリア語、スペイン語。Mono、Dolby Digital字幕：英語、独語、仏語、イタリア語、スペイン語、オランダ語（英語以外は予告編でも選択可能）on/off可能、日本語字幕はなし。メインメニューあり、チャプターメニューあり。映像特典：〇米か英の予告編（英語字幕なし、4：3LB, 画質はあまり良くない。音声特典：―付属物：―発売：英Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment / 販売：同, 2002関連キーワード： 架空の国、ニューヨーク、ワイン、宣戦布告、鎖帷子、弓矢、新型爆弾、ペンタゴン、船旅、女王、鼠、狐関連作：「月ロケット・ワイン号」(THE MOUSE ON THE MOON ,1963)連想作：「博士の異常な愛情」「魚が出てきた日」画質は下の画像より良いです。

The one thing I really like about the Sellers, Milligan, Seacombe and Bentine era is that they produced great comedy that had political meaning in themWhen mentioning the name Peter Sellers to a Swede recently the 1st thing he said was "Dr Strangelove". Even young Swedes are aware of Sellers and the politics behind the comedy. However, he hasn't seen The Mouse That Roared, yet.I purchased this DVD simply because I was reluctant to buy a digital copy that will rely on me keeping a subscription to watch again or pay for a once only viewing. Having the DVD means I can watch it as often as I wish, with modern technology being very good at upscaling the quality.The Mouse That Roared is a great example of how Sellers seen International relations with the US is, how he seen diplomacy on the world stage and how pathetically stupid some nations can be when a small and weak nation stands up to them. This movie clearly shows how weak the US is and how nothing has changed since this movie was released.It's only a few short years ago when the US threatened to stop all Aid to some 3rd world nations if they vote against Jerusalem being recognised as the Capital of Israel. Instead of supporting the US and voting with them those small and poor nations simply abstained thus not directly opposing the US motion but stealthily supporting their defeat.That scenario is basically very similar to the message Sellers portays in The Mouse That Roared, sometimes even an obscure little alpine nation will stand up to the US and the response can always raise a laugh. The story in this movie is about a tiny nation in the Alps standing up to the US and threatening to beat the US in the space race. The mad politicians of the tiny nation make a silo appear to look like a rocket. The US feel threatened by this and very shortly the diplomatic relations between the two crumble, eventually leading the US into drastic action, including a blockade and sending troops to the border.This is a typical Sellers / Milligan madcap, crazy comedy where Sellers once again shows why he became possibly the best known comedy writer / actor around and even long after his passing he is still remembered through the numerous funny and entertaining comedy movies he starred in.One thing for certain, The Mouse That Roared is highly unlikely to be copied by Hollywood so it won't be ruined, unlike the American remake of the Pink Panther where Steve Martin destroys it. Hollywood will never remake a movie that shows the US to be weak even if it is comedy so this classic will continue to live on it's original content.If you like a good laugh and are politically savvy then I do recommend this movie for you as although it is now a very old film the humour is still as madcap as it was when it was first released.

With Peter Sellers appearing in three different roles this is obviously going to appeal to any fan of the late and great Mr Sellers. He is very good in this. But while he is the undisputed star of the film (I've already forgotten who else appears in it), there is so much more to like here. The story is hilarious and you can't but love the national army comprised of a handful of part time soldiers in medieval attire taking first the local bus, then a passenger steamer across the Atlantic on their way to invade America. But here's the thing: the film hits the nail on the head. The idea of the Fenwickians is exactly what's going on in our present - like every time little rocketman in North Korea plays with his rockets. Of course, here it all goes 'wrong' when America unexpectedly surrenders.If you haven't yet seen it, do yourself a favour and watch it. It's huge fun, it's satire at its best and it can be enjoyed by the entire family. Even though very young viewers may not understand the underlying message, they will have enough to laugh about taking everything at face value. It's a perfect family film for a wet Sunday afternoon. And you do not need to be a fan of Peter Sellers to enjoy it.The DVD I purchased it fine. The picture is very decent and the colours are vibrant, the sound quality is good and subtitles are available for those who may need them.

This merry, cheerful, clever and hysterically funny movie is one of my all time favorite comedies. Below, more of my impressions with some limited SPOILERS!The Duchy of Grand Fenwick is situated in the Alps between France and Switzerland. Created in 1370 by an English knight, it is the only English speaking country in continental Europe. With a surface of 39 square kilometres and a population of about 6000 it is also amongst the smallest independent countries in the world (in real world, only Vatican City, Monaco, Nauru and Tuvalu are smaller than this fictitious state). When this film begins, Grand Fenwick faces an unprecented crisis, threatening the very economical survival of the nation - but the Prime Minister presents to the Duchess and the Parliament a daring plan which should solve all the problems...What follows is a wonderful comedy, full of gags and brilliant dialogs, with a stellar performance by Peter Sellers, who plays three different roles, including that of the Hereditary Field Marshal and High Constable Tully Bascombe, who is in command of all Grand Fenwick armed forces, and serves as local game warden in time of peace...))) Jean Seberg supports him valiantly in a secondary but important role. I was not familiar with other actors, but it seems that they were all skilled veterans of British cinema and theatre.I saw this film at least four times in my life and it always cheered me up. This film uses a kind of intelligent, clever and merry humor without vulgarity - which is a rare thing in present day movies. Humor is also less cruel and vicious than in more modern comedies in which villains are sometimes crucified without any mercy - here, even when complete idiots are terribly mocked, it is still made with some humanity and kindness retained. And I always found this a very precious thing.This film is a wonderful, precious thing - to buy, watch and keep. Enjoy!

This 1950/60s genre British Comedy has classic appeal. The tiny Duchal Duchy dares to assault the United States to solve its financial crisis. Classic Peter Sellers. The books even better.