The Mouse That Roared (1959)

The Mouse That Roared
Directed by Jack Arnold
Written by Roger MacDougall and Stanley Mann from a novel by Leonard Wibberly
1959/UK
Columbia Pictures Corporation/Highroad Productions
First viewing/Netflix rental

[box] Tulley Bascombe: Well, Your Grace, we’re home. Actually, there’s been a slight change of plan. I know it will come as a surprise, a pleasant one, I hope, but we sort of won.[/box]

Monty Python came from a rich tradition, including this Cold War satire which also features Peter Sellers in a treble role.

The Duchy of Grand Fenwick is the smallest and only English-speaking country in Europe. Practically its sole source of income is exports of Fenwick Pinot to the U.S.  A U.S. winery comes up with a competing Enwick Pinot and the duchy is on the verge of bankruptcy.  Its Prime Minister (Sellers) comes up with the idea of declaring war on the U.S., losing, and benefiting from reconstruction aid.  This is enthusiastically supported by the Grand Duchess (Sellers) and the Loyal Opposition (Leo McKern).

Head Field Marshall and Forester Tully Bascombe (Sellers) puts together a landing force of about 20 men, all garbed in the traditional medieval Fenwickian armor and equipped with long bows.  As fate would have it, New York City is virtually shut down for an air raid drill when the army arrives.  One thing leads to another and Bascombe and company end up capturing the latest in nuclear weapons, the Q bomb, from its inventor and his comely daughter (Jean Seberg).

The Mouse That Roared is not quite as funny as the plot makes it sound but there are definitely laughs to be had here.  Sellers is very good in this lead up to his similar turn in Dr. Strangelove.

Trailer