20 young boys join a tontine: their parents each deposited £1,000 into a trust and the last of them alive gets all the money. Several decades have passed and only two are left alive: Masterman and Joseph Finsbury - brothers. Masterman hatches a plan to lure Joseph to his home...and kill him. In this endeavour he is unwittingly aided by his slow, ineffectual grandson Michael. Joseph is watched over by his scheming nephews Morris and John Finsbury whose sole purpose is to ensure Joseph wins the tontine so they can get a share of the money.
This film looks very good on paper. This is due to the incredible cast: Michael Caine, John Mills, Ralph Richardson, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Peter Sellers, Tony Hancock, John Le Mesurier (of Dad's Army fame).
Yet, despite this great array of stars, especially comedy stars, it's quite dull and unfunny. The plot is pretty basic and doesn't work as a drama or a comedy. There's one or two good laughs but the humour is few and far between: it's understated to the point of non-existence. All those great comedic talents - Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Peter Sellers, Tony Hancock - are largely wasted.
Quite disappointing.
This film looks very good on paper. This is due to the incredible cast: Michael Caine, John Mills, Ralph Richardson, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Peter Sellers, Tony Hancock, John Le Mesurier (of Dad's Army fame).
Yet, despite this great array of stars, especially comedy stars, it's quite dull and unfunny. The plot is pretty basic and doesn't work as a drama or a comedy. There's one or two good laughs but the humour is few and far between: it's understated to the point of non-existence. All those great comedic talents - Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Peter Sellers, Tony Hancock - are largely wasted.
Quite disappointing.