John Guillermin's previous film featuring Peter Sellers, Never Let Go, in which he was cast as Meadows, a smooth but viciously evil criminal, enabled Sellers to prove that his talent went beyond depicting "comic" petty crooks. His role as the bibulous, womanising General Fitzjohn in this film, built upon the character of lovable rogue Major Denis Bloodnok, who Sellers played in the Goon Show, enabled him to expand his range further. Fitzjohn's interaction with his invalid wife is movingly realised. The moment when he exclaims "My God, I hate you!" is chilling. There is a moment of cinematic genius when Guillermin dissolves from a close-up of the General's (then) young and beautiful wife watching unhappily as her husband flirts with another woman to her present day ruined face filled with unhappiness. I recall that when the film was released Guillermin complained bitterly that the producers had spoilt his film by cutting in extra comic sequences, but I can't find reports of this interview on line. Can anyone help?