Ghost in the Noonday Sun

I have been a Sellers fan for most of my life. Growing up in the late 60's and 70's his name was a household word because his comedic power brought laughter to millions. His diversity is simply astounding compared to, say, Jim Carrey or Jeniffer Aniston. Maybe this is a movie for the true Peter Sellers fan. A bit off the beaten path. The plot is secondary. Watching Sellers in character is a pure joy. You will never see a more cowardly pathetic weasel on film anywhere. Sellers performance in Ghost in the Noonday Sun is much more entertaining than Magic Christian or Casino Royale. Lighten up and enjoy the simple buffoonery and hilarious character brilliantly played by the great Peter Sellers. Skelingtons and canyon balls to you.

I'm a big fan of Peter Sellers. I watched this one because I just didn't want to die before seeing all of his movies. The only reason why we are on this page right now is because Peter Sellers is in it. This movie wouldn't have been finished if he wasn't a big name. I've lost 92 minutes of my life, but at least I am not curious anymore. If you are not a big fan, don't bother and save yourself - it isn't even grotesque. It is bad. Really bad.

This film is mainly a curiosity for fans of Peter Sellers. The question has been asked why he would appear in this film. Two reasons: He was at a low point in his career when he could find almost no work and was reduced to making commercials for TWA, and because his old pal and fellow Goon Spike Milligan was co-writer of the screenplay.

A pirate treasure 'comedy' featuring Peter Sellers as a cook who kills his captain after learning where his treasure is buried and then has to rely on the ghost of the man he's just killed as his memory is fading. He assumes captaincy of the ship and sails to Ireland by mistake and thereafter to other places having such larks and finally he picks up Spike Milligan and they get to the treasure island.

This film never got a theatrical release and the reason is simple, it's awful. All documentation around the making of this and director Medak's later documentary 'The Ghost of Peter Sellers' makes it pretty clear that this is down to Sellers. A legend and some time comic genius, it should not be forgotten that along with his many towering performances he was perfectly capable of making utter rot and this is one of those films. Standing around in daft costumes and mumbling in stupid, often illegible voices does not great comedy make. Sellers knew this and threw tantrums throughout and frequently just didn't turn up - full of self doubt then and totally unprofessional.

I'll be honest, I did chuckle at a few one liners and the cast including James Villiers and Clive Revill are fun, but ultimately 99% if this is just dreadful. Avoid.

I just saw the Ghost of Peter Sellers, a documentary about this ill fated film. Its the best documentary I've seen about a movie going wrong. As a filmmaker, I think every director should watch it. Its even better than Lost in la Mancha, because it was directed by the same director who shot the dreadful movie, Peter Medak.