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From Amazon.co.uk
A genius he may have been, but Peter Sellers' film work often demonstrated appalling lapses of taste, as with the weak wartime farce Soft Beds, Hard Battles. Little more than a vehicle for a range of Sellers racial stereotypes and an excuse to feature a succession of scantily clad young women, the film centres on a Parisian brothel during the Second World War and its various clients from all the countries involved. Thus Sellers is given reign to trot out his comedy Frenchman, Englishman, German and Chinaman-—none of which come across as anything other than hugely dated. The plot is weak and the hopelessly erotic air gives a feel of Confessions of a Window Cleaner in uniform or "'Allo 'Allo: The Movie". With so many better examples of Sellers' work available, this must surely be close to the bottom of anyone's list.
On the DVD: Soft Beds, Hard Battles's picture and sound are bright and bawdy, with some degree of digital remastering obviously having taken place. There is a 10-minute selection of material deleted from the original cinematic print but these are merely odds and sods that cannot save Soft Beds, Hard Battles from being little more than a woefully outdated curio. --Phil Udell
Product Description
Peter Sellers plays six roles in this World War II romp (including Hitler) centring on a Parisian brothel. The establishment is run by Madame Grenier (Lila Kedrova) who, having lost her original clients to the war, has told her girls to be as attentive to the German troops now in Paris. This is also the perfect front for her Allied war effort, as she is in the ideal position to exterminate those in power - members of the Gestapo - in the bedroom.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
first the negative points; "soft beds,hard battles" is simply dreadful. not even peter sellers can save that one. "waltz of the toreadors" is a rather tame, tedious yarn.
but the other two films here, certainly brighten me up; "wrong arm of the law" is a riot. lionel jefferies is brilliant as the bumbling police inspector. plenty of familiar faces here; bernard cribbins, dennis price, graham stark, bill kerr, john le Mesurier etc.
"never let go" proves that sellers was more than capable of straight acting. his performance as the brutal, dodgy car salesman is a highlight of his career in my opinion.
a mixed bag of sellers films, but a couple of them should hold your attention throughout.
but the other two films here, certainly brighten me up; "wrong arm of the law" is a riot. lionel jefferies is brilliant as the bumbling police inspector. plenty of familiar faces here; bernard cribbins, dennis price, graham stark, bill kerr, john le Mesurier etc.
"never let go" proves that sellers was more than capable of straight acting. his performance as the brutal, dodgy car salesman is a highlight of his career in my opinion.
a mixed bag of sellers films, but a couple of them should hold your attention throughout.
15 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
This is one of the most hilarious movies starring Peter Sellers at his utmost side splitting funniest. Not in any movie have I seen someone deliver such an epic performance that it leaves your cheeks sore from laughter and sides aching. Peter Sellers set the standard by acting as several characters, hence Mike Myers in Austin Powers sagas. In Soft Beds, Hard Battles, he dwells into the minds of various races, german, english etc. and pulls each and every one of them off with such hilarity that you will put this DVD back in again and again to catch every moment, in particular is the "if they knew what we knew" scene - this is one of the best scenes ever. Sellers was a genius and thank God that they have decided to reprint this movie onto DVD - thank you thank you thank you. For the small price for this movie, it is well worth every penny and more. Enjoy history and hilarity
By Tim Kidner
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
As we saw in Dr Strangelove, Peter Sellers is extremely adept and talented at playing many roles. However, in this lame and unfunny comedy, he literally falls flat on his (many) face(s).
It might be due to the winds of time and the changing tastes in comedy, but as someone who would have very young at this film's release, I didn't laugh once, neither at the jokes nor the visual slapstick.
Sure, this send-up of everything second world war (Sellers plays all the world leaders, it seems) could have provided many comedy highlights but at times it's just painfully embarrassing. The dodgy accents either grate or annoy. I found the 'story' impossible to follow, assuming there actually was one and within half an hour had lost interest and only followed it to the end for reviewing purposes.
The oft nude working girls of the 1940's Paris-set brothel made this an X-certificate novelty back 40 years ago and today, the toplessness a mere '12' certificate. These are pleasant distractions for the average male viewer of course but the novelty soon wears off and soon we are amidst the awful masks that Sellers wears to turn himself 'Japanese'. Even though the film runs for 90 minutes, it seems far longer.
There's also a young-ish Timothy West as a Cardinal and Curt Jurgens as an SS Officer. I bought it the with the set of three, along with the excellent The Wrong Arm of the Law and Never Let Go. Watch those, forget this.
It might be due to the winds of time and the changing tastes in comedy, but as someone who would have very young at this film's release, I didn't laugh once, neither at the jokes nor the visual slapstick.
Sure, this send-up of everything second world war (Sellers plays all the world leaders, it seems) could have provided many comedy highlights but at times it's just painfully embarrassing. The dodgy accents either grate or annoy. I found the 'story' impossible to follow, assuming there actually was one and within half an hour had lost interest and only followed it to the end for reviewing purposes.
The oft nude working girls of the 1940's Paris-set brothel made this an X-certificate novelty back 40 years ago and today, the toplessness a mere '12' certificate. These are pleasant distractions for the average male viewer of course but the novelty soon wears off and soon we are amidst the awful masks that Sellers wears to turn himself 'Japanese'. Even though the film runs for 90 minutes, it seems far longer.
There's also a young-ish Timothy West as a Cardinal and Curt Jurgens as an SS Officer. I bought it the with the set of three, along with the excellent The Wrong Arm of the Law and Never Let Go. Watch those, forget this.
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3.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Soft Beds Hard Battles
Soft Beds Hard Battles
No, you certainly should NOT take a prudish angle on this one: if you do, you are bound to flop. Read more
No, you certainly should NOT take a prudish angle on this one: if you do, you are bound to flop. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Wilberfalse
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clever, funny, enjoyable
Peter Sellers takes on several leads, in this extremely tongue-in-cheek look at the occupation of France during WWII, from the eyes of the girls and patrons of a French brothel ("A... Read more
Published on 4 April 2011 by Filmbuff
5.0 out of 5 stars
Peter Sellers oldie
I had been trying to find this DVD for a few years and was extremely pleased to find it in
the UK.
the UK.
Published on 28 April 2010 by Dave Stuff
4.0 out of 5 stars
A gentle comedy
I first came across this film almost 20 years ago and found it very enjoyable. No, it isn't side splitting and yes, Peter Sellers is his usual funny self in his many roles - the... Read more
Published on 30 July 2009 by Mr. Nigel Rawlings
1.0 out of 5 stars
What a waste of film and talent
Well, it`s a shame how many poor films Peter Sellers played in. It is also a well known fact how many poor films Peter Sellers played in. (Especially in the years 1968-1974. Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2008 by Alexander Adrian
2.0 out of 5 stars
One good movie
Out of the entire box set I would only recommend one movie, The Wrong Arm of the Law. You should buy this movie seprately. Read more
Published on 10 May 2004 by "stardvds"
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