The Party
C**S
Timeless classic
My dog won’t eat his food unless I say “Birdy num nums”. You either love this movie or don’t. I do.
A**R
Peter Sellers was an awesome comedian
Slapstick at its best.
T**N
Sellers would have been a silent movie star
THE PARTY is a movie whose title gives away the plot. Ooops! Should I have said "spoiler warning" before I wrote that?The fact is, this movie is a showcase for Peter Seller's comedic talents. Just as in the PINK PANTHER movies, he plays a fish out of water (here an Indian rather than a Frenchman). There's a bit of a dramatic arc to the movie, which is why this isn't just sketch comedy, but the real point is to see how funny improvised pantomime can be. Yes, a few minutes could have been edited out of the ending where the slapstick level rises dramatically, but that was the style back then.Reasons to watch this film:a) To see a 3-wheeled Morgan.b) To see how Sellers be amazing funny without pulling faces (a la Jim Carrey) or even dialogue. Seller's character is a real person and not an over-the-top characterization. This is the type of film that Charlie Chaplin could have made 50 years prior to it's release.c) To see a stylized version of 60's fashion. Blake would shoot another extended party sequence 10 years later in SOB (1981) and it's interesting to compare the passage of time via fashion and social behavior.d) To learn comedic timing from one of the masters: Peter Sellers. This movie would simply not be possible without him in it. Watch and see how much humor he can derive from such simple actions as retrieving a shoe, flushing a toilet, or finding a men's room. This is the reason why you can have surprisingly long takes (and in master shots no less!): Sellers knowns how to pace the timing and doesn't need the film editors to do so.e) To see Gavin MacLeod before he became a TV star on Mary Tyler Moore and the Love Boat. (And he plays a nasty guy here!)f) To remind yourself that sometimes very subtle gestures can be the most funny.This movie plays like an old-time silent film and you might be inspired to look at the works of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, or Harold Lloyd if you like this movie.
C**8
"Birdie Num Num"
This is one heck of a funny movie. I have seen it a few times and it always cracks me up. Peter Sellers plays an character by the name of Hrundi V. Bakshi, an Indian actor, who accidentally gets invited to a posh, exclusive, Hollywood party and proceeds to inadvertantly make a shambles of the entire affair. There are so many gags in this movie, you really have to watch it more than once to appreciate it. One interesting fact about this movie I recently read..."The Party" was improvised from a 40-page outline. Each scene was shot in sequence, and built upon the previous scene. To aid in this experiment, the film's producers had a video-camera tube attached to the Panavision camera and connected to an Ampex studio videotape machine - allowing the actors and crew to review what they had just filmed. Thus, "The Party" was the first movie ever shot with the now-standard "video assist" system.If you enjoy the Pink Panther movies, then you will most likely enjoy this. Instead of a bumbling French detective, Sellers portrays a bumbling Indian actor, and look for a great performance by Steve Franken as Levinson, a waiter at the party who likes the drink a bit too much. Also, I though Denny Miller was great as 'Wyoming Bill' Kelso. This was directed by Blake Edwards, and is the only non Pink Panther movie he and Peter Sellers made together. Original music by the Great Henry Mancini. Just a whole lot of fun!
A**L
Comedy madness
An uninvited clumsy guest that causes riotous ,hilarious chaos. One of Peter Sellers best. And of course..."Birdy Nom Nom"...
D**T
Need some laughs? Look here!
My very favorite among many Peter Sellers greats. This movie, though very much a product of '60s culture and style, has stood the test of time well. Peter Sellers is flawlessly funny as Indian actor Hrundi V. Bakshi, who emigrates to Hollywood in hopes of making it big on the silver screen. Mr. Bakshi, however, is a colossal screwup, and manages to destroy every scene in which he participates. The clincher, however, is when he inadvertently blows up an expensive movie prop, scheduled to be destroyed on film minutes later; while tying his shoe. This immense goof gets him blacklisted by a powerful Hollywood producer, but due to a clerical foulup by the producer's secretary, Mr. Bakshi instead ends up on a different list.... party guests at the producer's home!Peter Sellers excelled at playing awkward, fish-out-of-water characters. He nails it once again here, and is surrounded by a cast that supports his antics perfectly. Especially hilarious is his interaction with movie character "Wyoming Bill Kelso", and a naïve, sweet starlet played by Claudine Longet. His trademark physical comedy is woven in and out of the story line, to hilarious effect. The feeling of the movie overall is gut-busting funny, but also for the most part; very good-natured. An exception is Gavin McLeod playing a cliche' Hollywood predator.I recommend "The Party" most highly for any Peter Sellers fan; and any lover of absurd comedy.
S**E
Crazy, Blake Edwards Could Have Been The Inspiration For Borat Films
Peter Sellers has gone unmatched in the acting world in my opinion. But this was not the best vehicle for his crazy, laugh-until-you-wet-your-pants humor. He gets away with not murder, but the social bumbles we all makec especially the party scene. I liked Claudine Longet's performance. She looked like she was having a great time in this role. This movie could have been shorter. There were sections that were a bit slow. Overall, I'm glad that I viewed this film because for its time, it was a , physical comedy, and Sellers is always entertaining.
P**E
Before the Pink Panther fame. Remember when people actually had parties
Before the Pink Panther fame. Remember when people actually had parties
K**R
Birdie num num
A great Peter Seller’s film, a must own film for all you PS fans
C**1
Wish I was at that party
It's been many years since I saw this film. I'd forgotten how funny it was. Peter Sellers at his best as a comedy character actor. Despite most of this film had very little script, which is a brave thing to do, it still manages to gel well and you'll enjoy his character's journey.
C**L
As funny as I remembered
Not as well known as Pink Panther however this is truly hilarious. Overlook that Peter is playing a middle eastern man and enjoy his character's sweet smile, patience and bumbling in many relatable situations.
D**.
Classic 'silly humour' this so be prepared!
This film is a fine example of Peter Sellers extraordinary ability to play convincingly any character. Whatever you think of the 'politics' of a white actor portraying a man from the Indian sub-continent, Sellers performance is thoughtful, moving and of course very funny (Mr Bean, way before Rowan Atkinson).A slow burn movie with the most lavish, stylish, colourful utterly 60's interiors ang great supporting actors.Old fashioned humour.
C**N
belle copie?
j'ai visionné ce dvd ,ce film est culte pour moi rien à dire, bonne qualité ,mais un bemol , je n'ai pas trouvé les bonus, quand je démarre le film il n'y a pas d'introduction comme dans d'autres dvd (exemple langues ,chapitres etc.. j'ai bien vérifié,donc il me semble que ce soit une belle copie! alors je le racheterai chez un autre vendeur..
Trustpilot
1 day ago
1 month ago