The Mouse on the Moon
| The Mouse on the Moon | |
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Original film poster
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| Directed by | Richard Lester |
| Produced by | Walter Shenson |
| Written by | Michael Pertwee |
| Starring |
Margaret Rutherford Bernard Cribbins Terry-Thomas |
| Music by | Ron Grainer |
| Cinematography | Wilkie Cooper |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
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Release date
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Running time
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100 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Mouse on the Moon is a 1963 British comedy film, the sequel to The Mouse That Roared. It is an adaptation of the novel The Mouse on the Moon by Irish author Leonard Wibberley, and was directed by Richard Lester. In it, the people of the Duchy of Grand Fenwick, a microstate in Europe, attempt space flight using wine as a propellant. It satirises the space race, Cold War and politics.
Peter Sellers, who had played three roles in the first film, did not return for this sequel and was replaced by Margaret Rutherford, Ron Moody and Bernard Cribbins. Likewise Leo McKern did not replay his role of Benter; this part was played by Roddy McMillan. The film also featured June Ritchie and Terry-Thomas, with David Kossoff reprising his role as Professor Kokintz.
Financial disaster looms for Grand Fenwick when the current vintage of its only export, wine, starts exploding in would-be consumers' faces. Prime Minister Mountjoy (Ron Moody) decides to ask the United States for a loan, ostensibly to fund its entry in the race to the Moon, but actually to save the duchy (and install modern plumbing so he can have a hot bath). The devious politician knows that the Americans will not believe him, but will consider the half million dollars he is asking for to be cheap propaganda supporting their hollow call for international co-operation in space. He is delighted when they send him double the amount as an outright gift. The Soviets, not wishing to be one-upped by their Cold War rivals, deliver an obsolete rocket. Mountjoy asks resident scientist Professor Kokintz (David Kosoff) to arrange a small explosion during the "launch" of their lunar rocket to make it look like they have actually spent the money as intended.
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Wikipedia