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Amazon.co.uk Review
Hal Ashby's much-praised Being There stars Peter Sellers in what was perhaps his finest comic performance. Chance the gardener has spent his entire life in an old man's house and has no idea of the world outside except for what television has given him. Sellers manages to make his innocence touching and oddly impressive rather than an offensive exploitation of disability. Jerzy Kozinski's screenplay neither entirely endorses nor discounts the twin possibilities that Chance's simplicity and closeness to the natural world give him access to real wisdom, or that he is simply a blank on whom people project what they want to see and hear. What is clear is that he gives his dying friend Ben (Jack Warden) peace of mind and consoles Ben's wife (Shirley Maclaine). Whether he's being groomed for the Presidency or appearing to walk on water, he always does something right, and the same is true for Sellers' minimalist performance.
On the DVD: Being There is presented in a widescreen visual aspect of 1.85:1 and has 1.0 Dolby Digital mono sound; it comes with the original theatrical trailer, information about the stars and director and a list of the film's awards. --Roz Kaveny
Special Features
Trailer
1.0 Dolby Digital Mono
1.85:1 widescreen
Languages: English, French, Spanish
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Romanian, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Croatian, Czech, Greek, Polish, Turkish, Hungarian
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
There's no 'probably' about this film. This is the best piece of acting ever by Peter Sellers. Best known for his roles in The Goons and Pink Panther series, Sellers outshines them all in this film. It wasn't very well publicised when new, and remains unknown to many. If you like slapstick - forget it. If you want funny voices - forget it. But if you want to see (possibly) the best British actor ever, in a starring role in a film that gives credit to the true professional that he was, then Buy, buy, buy...
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I first saw the film when it came out, and it stuck in my memory. Not your typical Sellars (i.e. neither the slapstick of the Pink Panther nor the so-tedious-it-was-funny of The Party), the film is a comedy of manners more than anything else.
In brief, the story revolves around a certain Chauncy "Gardner" (Sellers) who, upon his employer's death, finds himself thrust out into the rude world. A simple man, with no skills to recommend him but gardening, his life outside the estate in which he has lived since his birth starts with a car accident (involving Maclaine) and progresses gently to the point where he is being discussed as a Presidential candidate.
Many fine scenes, some unforgettable lines ("I like to watch.") and an interesting final walk.
Heartily recommended.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Peter Sellers was nominated for an Academy Award for this, his penultimate film.
As it turned out, The Terrible Revenge of Fu Manchu, was his final film. Really, this should have been his last film -- a beautiful testament to an extraordinary career.
The film is a snapshot of the life of Mr Chancey, played by Sellers.
Chancey is clearly backward and yet manages to convince the other characters that he is some sort of genius and prophet.
Seller's portrayal of Chancey is understated and quite brilliant, the end sequence is startling and revelatory.
This is the greatest film you've never seen.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Sellers at his very best
An amazing piece of film making and Sellers is at his charismatic best. How he shows up the chattering, ruling classes for what they really - posturing fools. Read more
Published 6 months ago by P. STACE
Great purchase, thanks
I was very happy with the service and the dvd. All went very smoothly, would buy from you again. thanks.
Published 7 months ago by sylviak
Brilliant and unique
A wonderful, funny, odd, surreal, and sometimes very sad satirical fable.
Sellers plays an American who is a complete blank, seemingly mentally handicapped, having spent... Read more
Sellers plays an American who is a complete blank, seemingly mentally handicapped, having spent... Read more
Published 12 months ago by K. Gordon
Present
Bought this for a friend who had requested it and then invited me to watch it. Not my cup of tea I'm afraid but then I am not a Peter Sellers fan. Read more
Published 14 months ago by spoons
strange parallel universe
I had never seen this film, but hearing a friend talk about it I decided to buy it and have just watched it. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. James West
A film like no other...
This is a remarkable film. The whole premise of the story is that you believe in chance..Watch the film and you will understand. Read more
Published 15 months ago by BigMac
excellent film, the blur ray tranfer is ok
The bluray quality is so-so in my opinion (although far better than the dvd of course) The main reason for buying the film is the extraordinary central performance by Peter... Read more
Published 16 months ago by D. Schulten
Magically simplistic
A friend had given me a bad vhs version of this film about 20 years ago and since then I have been trying to find this film on sale. At last! Read more
Published 16 months ago by Douglas Hallam
It must be me.
I just do not understand this film - within seconds of meeting such a character, I would accept him for what he is - a simpleton with a TV fried brain. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. Charles R. Day
Interesting film
Arrived in good time in excellent condition. Have now watched and a most unusual and interesting film. Peter Sellers is very clever to keep in character.
Published 20 months ago by Mr. Stephen Drake
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