New on the Mises film page:
The Mouse That Roared (1959)
Peter Sellers stars in 3 different roles in this light comedy about foreign aid, the Cold War and nuclear brinkmanship. The tiniest country in the world has fallen on hard economic times and decides on a novel way of getting out of their fix. The Prime Minister’s proposal: “There isn’t a more profitable undertaking for any country than to declare war on the United States and to be defeated. No sooner is the enemy defeated than the Americans pour in food, machinery, clothing, technical aid and lots and lots of money for the relief of its former enemies… I move we declare war on the United States of America.” The leader of the loyal opposition responds, “As leader of the Party of the Common Man, I say war is reprehensible, barbaric, unforgivable and unthinkable! And I second the motion.” Unfortunately for their brilliant plan, they accidentally win the war. A fun film that lampoons the state while also showing its insanely destructive nature.
{ 3 comments }
The film is good, but the book is even better. And don’t overlook ‘The Mouse on the Moon’, the sequel. Movie is also available, but again, the book is far superior.
cheers,
Shirley Knott
I confess I once played the lead, Tully Bascom, in a youth organization’s production of “The Mouse that Roared.” I explored sides of the character that never occurred to Peter Sellers.
I agree with Shirley, the book is better than the film. While the movie is decent, and I am normally a big Peter Sellers fan, having him play multiple characters is a distraction from the story’s subtlety and takes some of the edge off the satire.
Comments on this entry are closed.