Laughs out loud throughout the script, a great cast and beautifully shot. I was intrigued that with so many fantastic comedic actors I had never heard of this film. There's really nothing novel about the plot or the characterizations but this movie just clicks and goes right to the top of the list for the madcap/caper/farce genre. Peacock steals every scene he's in. Really enjoyable film.

Not funny. I didn't even smile. Have tastes changed so much since 1966 or am I so out of touch that I hated every moment of this broad unfunny farce? On the plus side, As my husband said, "Well, it gave some people work." I don't think I can think of 10 lines to say any more succinctly than my headline that this movie has nothing to recommend it, except, perhaps, the amusement of looking for the appearance of each well-known actor as they appear on screen. Frankly having to write ten lines to say what could as easily be said in two is a waste of my time and the time of the potential reader. Some of the more helpful reviews on Amazon are short and sweet: Failed after one use, not as described or poorly made. I will repeat my initial review of this failed comedy: Not funny. I didn't even smile.

If one had no idea what to expect going into this movie, the opening credits should make it clear. After the usual cast list and production credits, an extra music credit appears. "Certain funeral and military airs played by Her Majesty Queen Victoria's Temperance Seven (who actually number eight)." Besides this funny allusion to a sequence with a temperance group and band, the end of the film has another hilarious scene of a band concert on the green. After I watched "The Wrong Box" a second time, it struck me that some viewers might not enjoy this movie to the fullest. A few reviews seem to attest to that. This is a bit of a mixed comedy – part thinking man (or woman), part witty and clever dialog, part chicanery and sight gags – and all with much parody, farce and spoofing. Others have summarized the plot, praised the acting, and heaped accolades on the production – set, filming, costumes, etc. All are on target, to my thinking. This is a wonderful satire and spoofing of many aspects of society and institutions in Victorian England. The temperance movement gets a few funny hits. The funeral industry gets a nice going over. The law – especially police investigation, is portrayed with little respect. The state of medical practitioners is questioned nicely. The military, the missions, the railroads, schools and more get some humorous and friendly raking over the coals. The film pokes fun at innocent, naïve love; and at philandering and eschewing of love. It equally lampoons integrity and dishonesty. It has subtle morality in its hilarious renditions of the travails of greed versus the simplicity and peace of living without envy and coveting. Again, I'm not sure all viewers would enjoy this gem of a movie to the fullest. It has taken me a couple of viewings just to catch all of the humor. And, then, I'm not sure I caught it all. So, I'll soon have to make some more popcorn. Every one of the cast excels in his or her role. And what a marvelous cast it is. The plot moves along nicely and is broken up at intervals with hilarious sequences. These include some very funny sight gags. The end of the film has a very funny chase scene. It's probably the only one that has involved funeral carriages. The very premise of the story I think is farce in itself. A tontine is nothing more than a deathbed lottery – as the school headmaster says in the opening scene. After all, how many of us wouldn't want to be in a lottery to win a million dollars in our last days on earth? Ridiculous, indeed! But here, it serves nicely as the basis on which to build a great comedy. The idea came from a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson and his stepson, Lloyd Osbourne.To whet the appetite for those who hasn't yet watched this film, here are a few funny lines from the script. Michael Caine plays Michael Finsbury, and Wilfrid Lawson plays Peacock, the butler. Peacock, "How's your grandfather this morning?" Michael, "He says he's dying, Peacock." Peacock, "Oh, he always says that." "Michael, "But Peacock, he wants to see his brother Joseph." … Peacock, "He must be dying."Michael, "It's from Lady Pitman. She's sending back the statue we sent her. Says it's a fraud… Was it a fraud, Peacock?" Peacock, "Life is a fraud, Master Michael."Nanette Newman plays Julia. Julia, "So, that's where you go every morning. I see you often, through the window." Michael, "Oh, what an extraordinary coincidence. I look at you through the window." Michael, "I never knew my parents. They were killed in a balloon ascension." Julia, "Well, I only knew mine vaguely. My father was a missionary. He was eaten by his Bible class." Michael, "Your mother?" Julia, "She too. They never eat one without the other."Peter Sellers is Dr. Pratt and Peter Cook plays Morris Finsbury. Morris, "Dr. Pratt? Are you Dr. Pratt?" Pratt, "Are you from the police?" Morris, "No!" Pratt, "Well, I am Dr. Pratt." A few lines later: Pratt, "Now then, take off your clothes and cough." Morris, "Doctor, it's not me." Pratt, "It's certainly not me, sir. It's probably one of my cats." A couple lines later: Morris, "I collect eggs, doctor." Pratt, "Yes, I enjoy an egg myself. They don't make good pets though. You can never get them in at night. They're too quiet."Morris, "Dr. Pratt. Rouse yourself, Dr. Pratt." Pratt, "What .. I tell you, the lady was already dead when I arrived, constable." Morris, "Dr. Pratt." Pratt, "Come in!" Morris, "I was here earlier. You asked me to return." Pratt, "Oh, yes, yes. I've got what you want. Here … black currant jelly. It contains 12 grains of arsenic. Just spread it on your mother's bread and butter." Morris, "Doctor, I wanted a death certificate." Pratt, "Oh, you've done her in already, have you?"Julia, "Oh, you haven't any furniture. … How sad. I always knew you were poor, but I never imagined anything like this." Michael, "Oh really?" Julia, "Would you mind if I looked around?" Michael, "Would you like to look around the hallway?" Julia, "I've always wanted an empty room of my own. Ours are so cluttered." Michael, "Oh, we have lots of empty rooms. Would you like to see another one?"

I saw The Wrong Box for the cast, who were undoubtedly some of the best actors of that time, and apart from the ending which was a little too rushed for my tastes I enjoyed every minute of this film. It is filmed beautifully, flowing well from one scene to the next, and the settings and costumes are luscious to look at. John Barry's score is as exciting and memorable as anything else this late great composer ever did, while the story was paced just right for me and very interesting and the writing and situations are unforced and always hilarious(with too many to list). Bryan Forbes I felt directed quite assuredly in alternative to slack, and the cast are simply to die for. Wilfrid Lawson and Peter Sellers especially are comedy gold, though Tony Hancock is also very funny, Michael Caine more than holds his own, John Mills and Ralph Richardson appeal even if their characters aren't as easy initially to warm to and Peter Cook and Dudley Moore are in their prime and seeing them together is worth the viewing alone. All in all, a real joy, can't recommend it enough. 9/10 Bethany Cox