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Les Optimistes

Original title: The Optimists of Nine Elms
  • 1973
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
605
YOUR RATING
Les Optimistes (1973)
Drama

A retired entertainer makes his living as a street musician on the streets of London. Two young children befriend the old musician, brightening his otherwise colorless life.A retired entertainer makes his living as a street musician on the streets of London. Two young children befriend the old musician, brightening his otherwise colorless life.A retired entertainer makes his living as a street musician on the streets of London. Two young children befriend the old musician, brightening his otherwise colorless life.

  • Director
    • Anthony Simmons
  • Writers
    • Anthony Simmons
    • Tudor Gates
  • Stars
    • Peter Sellers
    • Donna Mullane
    • John Chaffey
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    605
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Anthony Simmons
    • Writers
      • Anthony Simmons
      • Tudor Gates
    • Stars
      • Peter Sellers
      • Donna Mullane
      • John Chaffey
    • 16User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos19

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    Top cast21

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    Peter Sellers
    Peter Sellers
    • Sam
    Donna Mullane
    • Liz
    John Chaffey
    • Mark
    David Daker
    David Daker
    • Bob Ellis
    Marjorie Yates
    • Chrissie Ellis
    Katyana Kass
    • Baby Ellis
    Patricia Brake
    Patricia Brake
    • Dog's Home Secretary
    Don Crown
    • Busker
    Bruce Purchase
    Bruce Purchase
    • Policeman
    Michael Graham Cox
    Michael Graham Cox
    • Park Keeper
    Bernie Searle
    • Dustman
    Tommy Wright
    • Dustman
    Pat Beckett
    • Laundry Lady
    Daphne Lawson
    • Laundry Lady
    Candyce Jane Brandl
    • Laundry Lady
    Hilary Crane
    Hilary Crane
    • Schoolteacher
    Pat Ashton
    Pat Ashton
    • Woman at Nursery
    Keith Chegwin
    Keith Chegwin
    • Georgie
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Anthony Simmons
    • Writers
      • Anthony Simmons
      • Tudor Gates
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews16

    6.6605
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    Featured reviews

    Wizard-8

    A lovely film

    "The Optimists" was a box office disaster when it was released to theaters in 1973, and has all but been forgotten since despite the presence of Peter Sellers. It's a real shame, because it is an absolutely charming movie. Sellers gives an excellent lead performance, making you believe this a man who is well travelled and a little tired and frustrated, but still goes on despite the circumstances. But the child performers who play the kids that befriend Sellers' character also deserve kudos - they are absolutely convincing and their performances don't feel the least bit forced. Director Anthony Simmons (who also co-wrote the screenplay based on his book) avoids a polished look and feel, and really captures the poor side of London and its various residents in a way that makes it feel absolutely real. The story is somewhat meandering, but has so much charm that you will follow it all the way to the end. And the Lionel Bart songs, including the wonderful "Sometimes" are the icing on the cake. If I have a complaint, it's that the British accents are sometimes very hard to make out, though fortunately that's only an occasional problem.
    7sotheran57

    good all round film

    I have seen this film a couple of times over the years and even though it is a little maudlin (most films with dogs and kids are) and, possibly, naive, it is very entertaining. Sellers does what I consider to be one of his best performances - up there with his rogue friend Terry Thomas in Tom Thumb. But being a Keaton fan it would have been wonderful to see him in the role with all his years of vaudeville and film experience. Can you believe young kids wandering the streets and befriending an old man? I wonder if PC would allow this kind of thing to be produced today... It has no pretensions, just good story telling. Well worth a watch without deep analysis.
    10rjandtacarroll

    A simple tale of childhood, growing and tough city life

    It's been several years since I saw The Optimists and then only the once. But the movie stands out in my memory as one of the very best I've seen and remembered. I like Peter Sellers in any movie and this is one of his best works. The story is so typical of the era and it presents the gritty real life of the time, much like my own childhood. The tale is very much in the vein of Kes, another real life drama of equal merit, which was made around the same time and reflects the same childhood era. I'd like to see it again and own a copy of the film myself. If there is anyone with a copy or knows where I may obtain a copy, it would be very much appreciated.
    7barbara1926

    We had the book!

    I remember the scene with the budgerigar act - Don Crown & His Busking Budgies! I would have seen the film as a child in the early seventies and in hindsight I think Sellers was also paying homage to his dad's time as a music hall performer. My mother was conscious of Sellers wearing a prosthetic nose as Sam, but it was a hell of a lot better than the one he had for the sailor guise (as Clouseau) in one of the Pink Panther films! My sister had the book that inspired the film and the depiction of the death of Sam's dog Bella was quite upsetting.

    A shame the DVD version's sound is poor and subtitles aren't available. I can recall a documentary being on TV about it and this could have done to be on the DVD.
    9simonton-4

    Charming film; butchered sound on the DVD

    The old VHS tape had dismal picture quality, but the sound was quite good enough to understand the dialog. The DVD is the reverse: the picture quality is relatively excellent, but the dialog is nearly unintelligible. The idiot who re-recorded the sound for the DVD must be the same one that destroyed the sound for The Importance of Being Earnest and Waltz of the Toreadors. I wish I could synchronize the DVD with the VHS to get the best of each.

    This is such a wonderful film, a favorite. How sad that friends and family can't share my enthusiasm because of the struggle to understand what's being said. Nevertheless, I recommend it and insist it's worth the trouble. The film transports me to the time and place, and gives my emotions some healthy exercise. Try taking the journey from sadness and frustration to hopefulness and joy, with a fascinating view of the London of 40 years ago and a sensitive portrayal by Peter Sellers, one of his best.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Buster Keaton was originally considered for the lead, but the backers of the film refused to support the project with him as the star. John Mills was then cast but suffered a broken leg and the project was postponed until many years later in 1973.
    • Goofs
      Sam visits the inside of Chelsea Football Club, but the outside of Fulham Football Club (note the graffiti and the park, which is next to FFC).
    • Quotes

      Sam: Inside your head you can build...

      Mark: A skyscraper

      Sam: Aye... a palace. A what?

      Mark: An apple.

      Sam: An orange.

      Mark: A steamboat.

      Sam: The lot. If you think with your eyeballs and forget all that rot from teachers and fathers and mothers and cops. That is *private*. It's *yours*.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Gravity Artist: Vic Armstrong Remembers 'Green Ice' (2024)
    • Soundtracks
      Mr. Bass Drum Man
      Written by Alan Bernard and Don Crown

      Performed by Don Crown (uncredited)

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    FAQ14

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 23, 1976 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Optimists
    • Filming locations
      • Marble Arch, Mayfair, Westminster, Greater London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Cheetah
      • Sagittarius Productions
      • West One Film Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 50m(110 min)
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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