The Mouse on the Moon (1963)

One of the best films i have seen

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

That noted country The Grand Duchy Of Fenwick manages to overtake both the Americans and the Russians in the space race in a delightful British comedy, The Mouse On The Moon. That only seems right because Grand Fenwick nearly controlled the world in The Mouse That Roared.How did this country do it? Well for starters it got an American loan for research and the Russian loan of one of their rockets. Americans and Russians each looking to outsmart the other in international diplomacy and Fenwickian Prime Minister Ron Moody outsmarting them with of all things, honesty. You have to see the film to see how it plays out.Secondly the Fenwickians have scientist David Kossoff with a trusty assistant Bernard Cribbins who is also Moody's son and Kossoff is shall we say pursuing an entirely different line of research in his efforts to find fuel. As it turns out Grand Fenwick already has the perfect rocket fuel, but it needed a mind like Kossoff's to refine it. Again you have to see the film for what it is and how it works.Margaret Rutherford is back as the Grand Duchess Of Fenwick presiding with regal medieval splendor in this insignificant piece of European real estate. And Terry-Thomas is a splendid British spy whom the Fenwickians help somewhat in his mission.Sad that Peter Sellers couldn't be in the film, the part that Bernard Cribbins plays was clearly written with him in mind. Still this comedy is another fine one from the United Kingdom.

The tiny principality of Grand Fenwick applies for a loan from the US under the pretence of funding for space research. They are pleasantly surprised when the money is granted and the Russians donate an old rocket, but even more so when local scientist Professor Kokintz perfects a new atomic fuel to power a lunar expedition. Can Grand Fenwick be the first nation on the moon ?This good-natured sequel to The Mouse That Roared is a pleasant mixture of satire and slapstick, as everyone seeks to exploit the situation to their advantage. The Americans want to appear generous, the Russians don't want to lose face, the British want to keep in with whoever wins, while the locals really just want indoor plumbing for their castle. Surprisingly, the science fact in the movie is pretty good as well as funny (the rocket fuel comes from an explosive batch of local wine), and there are numerous clever riffs on the frantic activities of the Space Race so prevalent at the time. The cast are all fun, with Kossoff and Cribbins a nice double act as the gentle inventor and astronaut-wannabe, Moody in fine Machiavellian form as Prime Minister Mountjoy, and Rutherford enjoying herself as the dopey ruler, Duchess Gloriana. Frankie Howerd also has a funny walk-on. There's some nice music by Ron Grainer and a typically sixties title sequence designed by Maurice Binder (in pre-James Bond days). Based on the third of the five Mouse books by Leonard Wibberley, a talented and versatile author who also wrote mysteries, travel and sailing guides, auto-racing stories, children's books and an epic biography of Thomas Jefferson. This was the always-interesting Lester's second feature (after It's Trad, Dad!), and whilst not as a good as the Jack Arnold / Peter Sellers classic which preceded it, it's an agreeably goofy comedy and a pleasant way to spend a slow evening.

"The Mouse That Roared" put a comedic spin on the United States' policy of rebuilding those countries it has beaten in war. Here in the sequel, the subject is the space race and the international contest concerning putting a man on the moon. As in the original film, the small duchy of Grand Fenwick is faltering financially and needs the aid of other countries to make ends meet. (It never occurs to anyone to sell off some of the jewels dripping off their ruler, The Grand Duchess!) The Prime Minister (Moody) concocts a scheme to trick the U.S. into providing funds for rocket research which he actually intends to use for installing indoor plumbing at the castle (due to his fondness for long baths which, initially, don't include hot water!) Once the U.S. coughs up some money, the U.S.S.R., not to be outdone, provides Grand Fenwick with a rocket, though neither country believes that any true result will come of their deeds. When Moody's son Cribbins comes back home from school, he decides to actually give space travel a go, with the help of a grandfatherly professor (Kossoff.) Meanwhile, the dotty Duchess (Rutherford) engages in various pageantry and the duchy's youth live as protesting Beatniks (!) led by Richie. Much of this satire will be lost to a newer generation since so much has changed since the time it was made. This was filmed before the Kennedy assassination and the breaking of many social and sexual taboos across the world. If anything, it presents a sort of periodic time capsule of the socio political climate of the day. Director Lester shows signs of the rather subtle slapstick and physical comedy that he would insert into many of his later films. Top-billed Rutherford (right at the height of her popularity in the Miss Marple films) is given almost nothing to do. Always engaging to watch, she nonetheless has very little of interest to work with and is off screen for much of the picture. Moody gives a solid and energetic performance, though his biggest hit would follow in a few years with "Oliver!" Cribbins is only moderately entertaining and lacks the charisma to really grab attention. The ever-exasperated Thomas shows up briefly as a U.K. spy and adds some sparkle to the proceedings. Richie has a thankless, idiotic role and an even more thankless wardrobe. It's worth a look for fans of Moody, Lester and films concerning The Cold War and earlier U.S. mores, but doesn't really succeed as a full-on comedy. Most of the humor is very dry and spotty. Fans of physical comedy may find more to laugh at during the various mishaps of the cast. For many folks, the absence of Peter Sellers (star of the original film in three separate roles) relegates this to a misfire. It's not a bad little film, it's just not a great one.

The Mouse That Roared was an amazingly original and funny movie. This follow-up picture tries to capture the magic of the first but just can't. The ideas that made the original movie so different now just seem silly in this sequel.The biggest problem, for me, is that Peter Sellars who was SO IMPORTANT to the original (playing a multitude of roles) isn't in this movie and so there are NO familiar faces. Margaret Rutherford is now the queen (and Peter Sellars made a much prettier queen), and Ron Moody and so many others take on most of the other roles from the original.My attitude is that if you CAN'T get the original cast, don't bother. This is a fair movie but can't hold a candle to the original.