The Battle of the Sexes

Peter Sellers could do just about anything and this film helped to prove that fact. With some white hair, a moustache, and spectacles, you thoroughly believe his transformation into Mr. Martin, a character at least twenty-five years older than the actor was at the time.

Although the title sounds like a sex romp, that's not the right description of this clever comedy with a somewhat dark theme. But BATTLE OF THE SEXES is about a power struggle between a man and woman. Martin is the faithful manager at the House of MacPherson, a Scottish firm that's been turning out tweed the same way for decades. When the new heir (Robert Morley) takes over, he brings in a domineering efficiency expert (Constance Cummings), an American no less, whose ideas threaten to ruin the company.

Martin is forced to act. While he seems like a quiet and unassuming sort, he actually has a lot of guile and cunning beneath his mild-mannered exterior. First he tries to get her fired, but when that doesn't work he decides that more drastic measures are called for - like murder. Martin comes up with what he believes is the perfect plan, and all he has to do is carry it out.

Do yourself a favor and watch it all unfold. Entertaining from start to finish, hilarious in several places, with a good supporting cast, and a plot that has a couple of surprises in store. Sellers proves yet again that he's a true comic genius. Three cheers for that, and four stars out of five for the film.

This well-cast adaptation of a classic James Thurber story relocates the action to Edinburgh and offers Peter Sellers one of his best roles as a timid bureaucrat who turns into a man of action when the crusty family firm he works for is threatened by an "efficiency expert" (and a female one at that!). His bumbling attempts to resolve the situation at the climax are a delight whilst co-star Robert Morley is perfect in the sort of role that he was born to play.

There's some fine location work, beautifully shot in black-and-white by Oscar-winning cinematographer Freddie Francis and a late screen appearance by "Doctor Praetorius" himself, the sepulchral Ernest Thesiger.

A delicious mix of dry comments, cultural clashes and devious expressions. Sellers is excellent as the mouse-like Mr Martin shocked to the core by the brash Miss Barrows and driven by his devotion to the family to protect tradition at all costs ! The bumbling uncertainty of the head of the Tweed empire could only be achieved by Morley whose portly figure towers over his frail employees as they await his next disastrous decision. Great examples of new not always being better (or not allowed to be !) form the key of the battle until the final hilarious showdown between the American and Scottish way of thinking. Every second is a film treat - should be on everyone's shelves !

When this story inspired by a Thurber story begins, the elderly owner of a Tweed manufacturing company in Edinburgh is on death's door. And, after he passes, his foolish son, Robert Macpherson (Robert Morley) takes over the practically destroys the company. This is because he's met an obnoxious know-it-all woman (Constance Cummings) and she is intent on shaking things up at the company...even though things seem to be working just fine. But Robert is blind to how destructive and costly the changes are....as well as he plans to fire most of the employees and mechanize. But his trusted employee, Mr. Martin (Peter Sellers), clearly sees the damage this woman is doing....and he plans to take care of her himself...for the good of the company.

I had a laugh watching this film, as I can see what many Brits see when they see Americans playing Brits....clumsy accents and overdoing it a bit when it came to British actors pretending to be Americans (in particular, Ms. Cummings and Donald Pleasence). This doesn't really harm the film...but it is funny seeing how Americans are portrayed. I am not sure if some 21st century viewers will laugh at Cummings' character, however, as she could be interpreted (possibly) as an anti-feminist character....a lady who wants to take over the male-dominated industry. I didn't take it this way...more that this particular woman was obnoxious and awful!

Overall, this is a cute little comedy and one of Peter Sellers' most forgotten roles. He's lovely as the 60-something employee and plays him with great subtlety (he is no Dr. Strangelove!). Cute and enjoyable...and well worth seeing.

This one is a lot of fun, wryly funny, not over-produced and, of course, impeccably cast. Sellers was often sabotaged once Hollywood purloined him but here he's in fine form and gives one of his cleverest performances. Robert Morley lends just the right level of support and Constance Cummings makes a formidable opponent to Sellers's mild-mannered Scot. She's extremely funny without being allowed to go too "over the top." Looks like this one is not available on video so catching it on TV will reward those who keep a sharp eye on the broadcast listings.