This film is definitely a product of its times and I seriously doubt that you'd have seen a film like this at any other point in history. Because of this, it probably played pretty well at the time but now, almost forty years later, it is practically unwatchable and...well...stupid. Sure, there are flashes of brilliance here and there, but in general, the film is a terribly unfunny stream of consciousness piece that meanders and looks like it needed a re-write and an infusion of humor.
Also, while the film had several writers (including Monty Pythoners John Cleese and Graham Chapman--who also appeared in the movie as well), it was NOT a Python film per se--regardless of what the DVD cover said. Many films that were made by one or two of the Python alumni have been deliberately mismarketed this way to try to dupe loyal fans (JABBERWOCKY is a prime example). Now the movie DOES have some similarity to Python sketches and the flow of the show in general, however, the chemistry is severely lacking--being brilliant on occasion (such as during the art auction or rowing competition) but often just dragged and dragged as if there was no script and Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr were just told to "wing it". Unfortunately, for Ringo, this meant to just stand there and say practically nothing throughout the film or things like "that sounds like a good idea". And for Sellers, a brilliant performer, he turned in an amazingly lifeless and uncomedic performance. In fact, through his film career, Sellers alternated from great film portrayals (DR. STRANGELOVE and THE MOUSE THAT ROARED) to horrid and awful and flat ones (SUCH AS WALTZ OF THE TOREADORS and THE FIENDISH PLOT OF FU MANCHU and THE PRISONER OF ZENDA). This is one of his flattest.
The bottom line is this movie was meant to tweak the nose of society (especially the rich) but ended up instead just being muddled and dull. If they had stuck with the original plot idea of having rich Sellers and Starr just wondering from scene to scene doing obnoxious things just because they are rich and can get away with it, THEN it would have been a brilliant and perceptive film. These portions of the film were great and very subversive. But with all the irrelevance and tedium, this aspect is all but forgotten. With a little discipline and a re-write, this could have been a great film.
Also, while the film had several writers (including Monty Pythoners John Cleese and Graham Chapman--who also appeared in the movie as well), it was NOT a Python film per se--regardless of what the DVD cover said. Many films that were made by one or two of the Python alumni have been deliberately mismarketed this way to try to dupe loyal fans (JABBERWOCKY is a prime example). Now the movie DOES have some similarity to Python sketches and the flow of the show in general, however, the chemistry is severely lacking--being brilliant on occasion (such as during the art auction or rowing competition) but often just dragged and dragged as if there was no script and Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr were just told to "wing it". Unfortunately, for Ringo, this meant to just stand there and say practically nothing throughout the film or things like "that sounds like a good idea". And for Sellers, a brilliant performer, he turned in an amazingly lifeless and uncomedic performance. In fact, through his film career, Sellers alternated from great film portrayals (DR. STRANGELOVE and THE MOUSE THAT ROARED) to horrid and awful and flat ones (SUCH AS WALTZ OF THE TOREADORS and THE FIENDISH PLOT OF FU MANCHU and THE PRISONER OF ZENDA). This is one of his flattest.
The bottom line is this movie was meant to tweak the nose of society (especially the rich) but ended up instead just being muddled and dull. If they had stuck with the original plot idea of having rich Sellers and Starr just wondering from scene to scene doing obnoxious things just because they are rich and can get away with it, THEN it would have been a brilliant and perceptive film. These portions of the film were great and very subversive. But with all the irrelevance and tedium, this aspect is all but forgotten. With a little discipline and a re-write, this could have been a great film.