After the Fox

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	Vittorio De Sica
Starring:	Peter Sellers, Victor Mature, Britt Ekland, Martin Balsam
Release date:	05 February, 2002
List price:	~~$14.95~~
Our price:	$12.11 that is 19% off!

After the Fox

Average rating: Stars

A Wonderful Slapstick Comedy

There is so much to brag about in this movie it is hard to know where to start.

First, Peter Sellers, probably the most talented film comedian of his generation, gives a bravura performance as a professional crook, Aldo Venucci, trying to make one last big score, The Gold of Cairo. His performance is so nuanced, hysterical (with the Italian accent) and real, that he really IS the movie. I say that not to disparage the rest of the cast, who are all wonderful.

Second, the totally whacky script by Neil Simon is original, and so full of funny lines that come at you so fast, that you are in serious danger of your sides splitting if you don't pause the video in places!!!

Victor Mature, playing an over the hill actor who doesn't think he is, and Marty Balsam, his suspicious and totally exasperated agent, who tries to convince him that he is not as young as he thinks, are a terrific team and have their own comic chemistry.

Seller's wife at the time, Britt Eckland, plays Sellers' sister, a star struck young woman who dreams of being an actress. She is very good in her part.

Akim Tamiroff, whose character stole the Gold of Cairo originally, adds a touch of Middle Eastern flavor and mystery to the movie. (Men ... dig his sister. What a babe!)

There are some nicely placed barbs at the movies of Antonioni,
(there is one scene where they just chase each other, Eckland and Mature). When the agent (Balsam) asks the meaning of the whole thing,the director, Sellers, replies "No matter how fast you run, you can't run away from yourself." The Mature character throws a kiss at him and responds, "Brilliant!" If you've seen some Antonioni movies, you'll understand the satire.

It is impossible to pick out one best scene, but one of my favorites is when Mature, Balsam, and Sellers meet in his hotel room to discuss to proposed movie, and Sellers receives a phone call. "Oh hello Sophia. My darling I told you there is no part in my new picture for you ... Sophia please, you are getting hysterical ..." At this point, he hands the phone to Marty Balsam and asks him to calm her down. He gets on the phone, and the next shot is in a phone booth, where one of Sellers' cohorts is on the phone. When Balsam, comes on he hurriedly hangs up. Well, you have to see it. But the whole scene is hilarious.

If you are a Peter Sellers fan, love great comedy, you must have this film. I've viewed it countless times and it just gets funnier and funnier.

After the Fox - Peter Sellers, Victor Mature and more

Sellers was a comic genius

I am only 22 years old. My father introduced me to Seller's comedies and after his passing away, i have now begun to realize why he loved his movies so much. This movie is simply nothing but one hilarious scene after another (i've seen it more than 5 times), not to mention the music is fabulous and goes along perfectly with every scene. Seller's girlfriend is quite a hottie and I always can remember the first scene when she bears it all for the gold. Quite a body she's got under that Burqa.

Sellers was really one of the best comedians in English cinema. This isn't slapstick like Jerry Lewis folks, but a kind of unique comedy that takes a little time to come into your senses. I have seen most of Seller's movies and i love them all. thank you to such a great star who's no longer with us.

Peter Sellers, Victor Mature and more - After the Fox

Not one of Sellers' best

Sorry to disagree with all those reviewers who loved this movie, but Peter Sellers did many better films than this. "Dr. Strangelove" was the masterpiece. "Being There" is an underrated and understated sendup of how things happen in Washington. "The World of Henry Orient" (AT LAST on DVD!)is priceless but virtually unknown, with delicious performances from Sellers and especially his teenage tormentors. Finally, the "Pink Panther" series is much better slapstick than "After the Fox," which has many famous, talented participants but is mostly silly, unfortunately not as hilariously and frenetically silly as Clouseau & Co. One irritant was the repetition and prolongation of gags and situations, as if we might not notice them otherwise. I agree with other reviewers that Victor Mature does as well as possible with the role he is allotted, and Martin Balsam does okay with his stuff, too. When watching this film, I kept thinking the same thoughts as when attending a mediocre restaurant -- I could have cooked up something better than this myself for a lot less money.