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Amazon.co.uk Review
Though this film is a relatively minor one in the massive canon of Peter Sellers, it has moments of absolute hilarity. Written and directed by Blake Edwards, one of Sellers' most fertile collaborators, the film stars Sellers as a would-be actor from India (let them try to get away with that today) who is a walking disaster area. After ruining a day's shooting as an extra on a film, he finds himself unintentionally invited to a big Hollywood party. That's pretty much it as far as plot goes, but Edwards and Sellers know how to milk a simple idea for an unending string of slapstick gags. The result is a film that is episodic and sketchy but also frequently loony in an inspired way. --Marshall Fine
From the Back Cover
Languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish. Subtitles: English and German for the Hard of Hearing; French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Danish, Portuguese, Polish, Greek, Turkish.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
73 of 75 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I've read some reviews of The Party in which Peter Sellers plays the Indian actor Hurundi V Bakshi, and these reviews make out it's a racist and offensive film.....and if you think so, you're probably not an Indian. Speaking as an Indian, I don't know any Indian who hasn't fallen in love with this film.
Sellers is in Hollywood, playing the part of a really bad actor. After causing disaster on the set, he is fired, and through an unfortunate incident, accidently invited to the film producer's house for an A list Hollywood party. At the party, he causes havoc and mayhem, and his lovable character is a fish out of water, showing up the Hollywood celebs for the grandiose, pompous self-indulgent people that they are.
Hurundi will make you laugh so much, you will hurt from getting stitches. As an Indian, we all have relatives living in Europe and the USA who just do one or two things which seem strange to anyone who isn't an Indian (I only found this out after marrying a Scot), however, Hurundi does all of these things. He is a painful reminder to Indians how ridiculous we can all be, and he is an even more painful reminder to non-Indians of how ridiculous the rest of the world can be.
If you love Goodness Gracious Me, watch it, you'll love it! I guarantee it!
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
'The Party' is something of an archetypal Blake Edwards film in that it was dismissed by both critics and audiences on its first release, but over the years has subsequently become something of a cult favourite. In this case, the film is not only considered (rightly) to be a classic Edwards-Sellers collaboration, but also something of a milestone in comedy cinematic history with its largely improvised style hanging off a very thin, almost non-existent plot.
What makes it all the more a remarkable achievement is that it was made at a time when both director and star were in the middle of something of a career rut - neither having had a solid hit since 'A Shot in the Dark' 4 years previously, Sellers was to appear in the hideously overdone 'Casino Royale' before sliding into virtual obscurity, appearing in a series of minor and largely forgettable films (two of which where considered so poor by the distributors that they were never released!), while Edwards was to go on to make the hugely expensive flop 'Darling Lili' and fared no better with his big screen version of 'Gunn' and his John Ford-esque western 'Wild Rovers', both performed badly at the box-office and nearly made Edwards give up moviemaking and retire to Europe! Only with 'The Return of the Pink Panther' in 1974 did both their careers finally get back on track.
As mentioned before, 'The Party' was largely improvised, with a slender script of just 60 pages being used as a basic outline for scenes. This is perhaps why the film is so well loved as it gives both star and director a chance to work on their greatest strengths: Edwards for setting up farcical slapstick comedy situations, and Sellers the chance to give a glorious character-based interpretation. As for accusations of political incorrectnness, the main character of Hirundi V Bakshi is very much the hero of the story, with the audience sympathising with him every step of the way. His inpetness makes him endearing and there is none of the "funny foreigner" antics that make other comedies like 'Mind Your Language' and 'It Aint Half Hot Mum' embarassing to watch today. Sellers was a great admirer of Indian culture and his mannerisms displayed here are not played for laughs or to stereotype but are part of the characters reactions to the mayhem around him. The villains of the piece are the snobbish Hollywood moguls and moneymen who make up Tinsletowns ruling elite (Edwards was to treat them much harsher in his later satire 'S.O.B.').
The DVD presentation is excellent, with a beautifully sharp anamorphic picture and remastered digital 5.1 stereo sound. The extras include a making of documentray and a rather technical feature about the early use of videotape to replay scenes just shot (a standrad practice in all moviemaking nowadays).
A highly reccomended comedy classic to cherish, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
What makes it all the more a remarkable achievement is that it was made at a time when both director and star were in the middle of something of a career rut - neither having had a solid hit since 'A Shot in the Dark' 4 years previously, Sellers was to appear in the hideously overdone 'Casino Royale' before sliding into virtual obscurity, appearing in a series of minor and largely forgettable films (two of which where considered so poor by the distributors that they were never released!), while Edwards was to go on to make the hugely expensive flop 'Darling Lili' and fared no better with his big screen version of 'Gunn' and his John Ford-esque western 'Wild Rovers', both performed badly at the box-office and nearly made Edwards give up moviemaking and retire to Europe! Only with 'The Return of the Pink Panther' in 1974 did both their careers finally get back on track.
As mentioned before, 'The Party' was largely improvised, with a slender script of just 60 pages being used as a basic outline for scenes. This is perhaps why the film is so well loved as it gives both star and director a chance to work on their greatest strengths: Edwards for setting up farcical slapstick comedy situations, and Sellers the chance to give a glorious character-based interpretation. As for accusations of political incorrectnness, the main character of Hirundi V Bakshi is very much the hero of the story, with the audience sympathising with him every step of the way. His inpetness makes him endearing and there is none of the "funny foreigner" antics that make other comedies like 'Mind Your Language' and 'It Aint Half Hot Mum' embarassing to watch today. Sellers was a great admirer of Indian culture and his mannerisms displayed here are not played for laughs or to stereotype but are part of the characters reactions to the mayhem around him. The villains of the piece are the snobbish Hollywood moguls and moneymen who make up Tinsletowns ruling elite (Edwards was to treat them much harsher in his later satire 'S.O.B.').
The DVD presentation is excellent, with a beautifully sharp anamorphic picture and remastered digital 5.1 stereo sound. The extras include a making of documentray and a rather technical feature about the early use of videotape to replay scenes just shot (a standrad practice in all moviemaking nowadays).
A highly reccomended comedy classic to cherish, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
43 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Some may find his portrayal of an Indian offensive. Some may say it's not politically correct.
I am an Indian (UK born though). Speaking from an Indians point of view , and having shared viewing of this movie with family and people of other ethnic backgrounds I can honestly say this has to be the best amalgamation of typical Indian traits I have ever had the pleasure of watching.
I have met so many people with parts of the quirks and ingrained politeness that Sellers so accurately put together. I watch the movie and at least one person watching with me can say that is so like someone they know. It really is genius!
Watch this movie. If you're Indian I would recommend it even more. Take it as it's meant - fun!
Fave bits: the scene when he is too polite to excuse himself to go to the bathroom while a pretty lady sings for the crowd.
The bird cage bit and how he manages to bungle things up and still manages to....well that would be telling now!
Enjoy
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Sellers on Top Form!!
I love Peter Sellers, especially when he's on top form and here, he is most definitely. So much so, feeling a little poorly I stuck the DVD in the player as soon as it arrived. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tim Kidner
funny film - especially at the start
On the one hand this is something of an old fashioned movie - on the other the start of the film always makes me laugh. Sellar's at his best was a great clown.
Published 5 months ago by MR
How all good parties should be!
The notion of an actor "browning up" for a role seems pretty odd in modern times but, for me, The Party does not suffer for it at all. Read more
Published 7 months ago by canon snapper
Funny
This film is a classic, so funny. Peter Sellers at his best.
Such a great price for this 2 DVD package, second DVD is the making of the film, which is also very... Read more
Such a great price for this 2 DVD package, second DVD is the making of the film, which is also very... Read more
Published 9 months ago by neil latham
Unmistakable Sellers
The plot may be a bit slow but the performance more than makes up for it. Plus the three-wheel Morgan which we may see soon again on the road.
Published 16 months ago by Mat
Hilarious Old School Comedy Proving that Old Really is Gold!
This reminds me so much of my childhood where my and my dad would watch this together. My very inexpressive and serious father would then laugh till he cried. Lol. Read more
Published 17 months ago by S. Agha
All time movie
Very nice movie. English version is the best. It loose a lot in other languages. This special edition is very nice. Highly Recommended!!!
Published 19 months ago by Italy
Great movie!
This is one of my favorite movies! Old fashion and simple but great fun!! Love Peter Sellers!!!
Published 20 months ago by Ms. M. E. Vaccari
"In India, we don't think who we are. We know who we are."
Peter Sellers plays a bumbling Indian actor who after inadvertantly ruining the most expensive scene in a film shoot is accidentally invited to a high class party of film-types and... Read more
Published 20 months ago by GeekZilla
Great Fun
The most funniest film I have ever watched. Great fun. Peter Seller's talent was amazing.
Published 23 months ago by Only moon
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