Never dare rebels with guns on their own soil to open fire while you're standing there holding the enemy flag. That's just one hysterical bit in this irreverent British comedy that dares to make fun of classic British pompousness during their days as an empire around the world, and a culture with more literary figures than any other country. The film's main story focuses on the government's decision to create a nationally run brothel, and the details that goes on while plans for its creation are being processed.
A huge cast of great British stars seems to be enjoying the idea of bringing its opinion of itself down a notch (and making me wish that other powerful countries would follow suit), so you've got David Hemmings in an energetic dual role, stiff upper lipped George Sanders ending up a stiff, Joanna Pettet as a free spirited woman leading others to emancipation, and Dany Robin showing what it's like to be French. Cameos by prim Martita Hunt, music hall legend Tessie O'Shea and Maurice Denham as a powerful journalist are memorable, with unknown actors cast as popular writers of the time. A little girl's song ends up one of the biggest guilt filled laughs ever on film. This may not be a classic, but it's a nice escape from the usual pomposity of today, showing how ridiculous it all is.
A huge cast of great British stars seems to be enjoying the idea of bringing its opinion of itself down a notch (and making me wish that other powerful countries would follow suit), so you've got David Hemmings in an energetic dual role, stiff upper lipped George Sanders ending up a stiff, Joanna Pettet as a free spirited woman leading others to emancipation, and Dany Robin showing what it's like to be French. Cameos by prim Martita Hunt, music hall legend Tessie O'Shea and Maurice Denham as a powerful journalist are memorable, with unknown actors cast as popular writers of the time. A little girl's song ends up one of the biggest guilt filled laughs ever on film. This may not be a classic, but it's a nice escape from the usual pomposity of today, showing how ridiculous it all is.