The Mouse on the Moon (1963) (SiRiUs sHaRe) torrent

The Mouse on the Moon (1963)

Sequel to The Mouse that Roared; The Tiny Country of Grand Fenwick has a hot water problem in the castle. To get the money necessary to put in a new set of plumbing, they request foreign aid from the U.S. for Space Research. The Russians then send aid as well to show that they too are for the internationalization of space. While the grand Duke is dreaming of hot baths, their one scientist is slapping together a rocket. The U.S. and Soviets get wind of the impending launch and try and beat them to the moon.

Margaret Rutherford ... Grand Duchess Gloriana XIII
Ron Moody ... Prime Minister Rupert Mountjoy
Bernard Cribbins ... Vincent Mountjoy
David Kossoff ... Professor Kokintz
Terry-Thomas ... Maurice Spender (as Terry Thomas)
June Ritchie ... Cynthia
John Le Mesurier ... British Delegate
John Phillips ... Amercian Delegate
Eric Barker ... M.I.5. Man

Director: Richard Lester

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057328/

Codecs: XVid / MP3

It's hard for it not to pale in comparison to its predecessor, "The Mouse That Roared," but "The Mouse on the Moon" is still an amiable enough comedy that it overcomes its own slightness and miniscule budget. The plot -- which concerns the Duchy of Grand Fenwick petitioning the United States for a loan so that it can develop a space program (which is really a cover for the prime minister's insatiable desire for indoor plumbing) -- is amusing and gives director Richard Lester and screenwriter Michael Pertwee plenty of opportunities to draw parallels between the Americans and the Russians as they scramble to beat the tiny country to the moon.

Instead of Peter Sellers in three roles, we have Margaret Rutherford taking over one (as the dotty grand duchess) and Ron Moody taking over another (as the ruthless prime minister). Both are funny enough, but they're no substitute for the real thing. Joining them are a young Bernard Cribbens as Moody's son Vincent, who wants nothing more than to be an astronaut, David Kossoff (one of four actors returning from "The Mouse That Roared") as the ever resourceful Professor Kokintz, and Terry-Thomas as a thoroughly inept British spy. Also watch for John Bluthal in his first of many films for Lester as Von Noldol, the enthusiastic German scientist working for the U.S.

For Richard Lester fans, this is a must-see. After all, this is the film that got him the job directing a certain film starring four lads from Liverpool...

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There could do with some watching of films such as this in high offices in the US or indeed, in many other "world powers".

Pragmatism and a certain amount of humility might be learnt by those watching and a realisation that acts of domination aren't necessarily a good thing nor will they end in their intended way; are the basic premise of this film.

What it lacks in subtle finesse, it makes up for in it's universal humour and it's now poignant reminder that we can all be fools when we think first of ourselves and only later of the consequences for others.

A film made in 1963, more than 40 years old, still has a message for us today, a message that it seems many need reminding of.

Splendid farce and superb comedy moments and a jolly gripping tale to boot.

I'll drink champagne to that!

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# Ron Moody was only four years older than Bernard Cribbins who played his son Vincent.

# David Kossoff, who played Kokintz, was the only principal cast member of The Mouse That Roared (1959) who returned to play the same role in this sequel.

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Richard Lester was one of the most influential directors of the 1960s, and continued his career as not quite an A-list director (he was too much of an auteur for that) into the 1970s and early '80s. He is best remembered for the two films he helmed starring The Beatles: A Hard Day's Night (1964) (1964) and Help! (1965) (1965), the frenetic cutting style of which many attribute as the birth of the music video a generation later.

Lester actually was given an award by MTV attributing him as the father of the music video. He is not appreciative of the honor as an understanding of his oeuvre shows that that type of style, rooted as it was in the films of Buster Keaton and the other great silent comedians, was atypical of his work.

The Mouse that Roared: http://www.mininova.org/tor/824950

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