The Mouse That Roared (1959)

The Mouse That Roared (1959) is mostly remembered as a tour-de-force by a peerless comic actor, Peter Sellers, playing all three of the principal roles. It's worth seeing for that reason alone, but the film is also one of the most memorable satires of nuclear geopolitics produced during the cold war and, along with another Sellers vehicle, Dr. Strangelove, provides an unbeatable illustration of the paranoia and helplessness engendered by that period.

The Mouse That Roared tells the story of the fictional European principality of Grand Fenwick. Finding itself on the wrong end of a trade dispute with the United States, and noting America's generosity in rebuilding the countries it had fought in World War II, Grand Fenwick's rulers hit upon the idea of declaring war on the U.S., losing, and then reaping a Marshall Plan-style handout. The plan, proposed by Grand Fenwick's prime minister (played by Peter Sellers), is approved by the monarch (also played by Peter Sellers), who dispatches an invasion force under the command of Grand Fenwick's hapless Field Marshal (also played by Peter Sellers). Due to a series of happenstances and misunderstandings, however, Grand Fenwick's plan goes terribly wrong... --Andrew Mueller Amazon.com

Comedy-As-Time-Capsule, dated but charming

This is one of those goofy comedies where the lead actor egotistically plays all the parts, a genre minted by Jerry Lewis and which still exists today with people like Eddie Murphy, etc. Personally, it's not my favorite genre, but Sellers at least was a funny and intelligent actor and I'd rather watch him than Mr Murphy any day.

The plot is about the H-Bomb, with Sellers playing both the scientist who invented it and the leader of the opposing army who wants it. (He also plays an old dowager Queen!) It's a time capsule back from an era when we could afford to joke about such things, and for that it's strangely comforting--as to me, most films from from the early to mid sixties are. There was an innocence now long gone, and everything just looked so good--cars, clothes, people, decor, etc. That fifties formality was still very much a part of everything.

Adding to the eye-candy is a young Jean Seberg in her transition period; she had just flopped in Otto Preminger's pretentious "Saint Joan", and then made "Bonjour Tristesse" again for Preminger, to cool reviews. She had not yet made "Breathless" which was about to make her a huge star in France and revive Hollywood's interest in her as a leading lady.

Playing the scientist's daughter/assistant and love interest to the enemy-Commander, Seberg isn't called upon to do much more than be beautiful and act sincere in a film in which everything is ludicrous. But like Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz," her sincerity looks so authentic that it elevates the film from a cartoon to something with a bit of a soul to it. This makes her the perfect foil for someone like Sellers, who is farcical throughout.

If you like Peter Sellers, Jean Seberg, or are just a fan of movies from this era, you will enjoy "The Mouse that Roared". November 2, 2008

good fun

Just plain, down to earth movie. Peterr Sellers does a masterful job in the myriad of characters he portrays July 20, 2008

A classic comedy

Peter Sellers' fans will get great enjoyment in this classic romp of his. Playing only three roles, he is able to attack and defeat the USA by accidentally capturing the "Q bomb." The resulting competition between world powers to gain control of this bomb is hilarious and at the same time rather frightening. July 16, 2008

The Mouse That Roared

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. February 10, 2008

But what if we won ?

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.
November 24, 2007

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