The Optimists (1973)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Anthony Simmons

Writers:

Anthony Simmons (novel)
Tudor Gates (screenplay)

Release Date:

18 October 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Meet Sam, the wonder man. He's got madness in his closet, everybody in trouble, the police in circles - and the world in his pocket.

Plot:

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. |

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film | Based On Novel

Cast

Peter Sellers	...	Sam
Marjorie Yates	...	Chrissie Ellis
Donna Mullane	...	Liz
John Chaffey	...	Mark
David Daker	...	Bob Ellis
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Pat Ashton	...	Mrs. Bonini
Pat Beckett	...	Laundry Lady
Patricia Brake	...	Dog's Home Secretary
Candyce Jane Brandl	...	Laundry Lady
Keith Chegwin	...	Georgie
Michael Graham Cox	...	Park Keeper
Don Crown	...	Busker
Katyana Kass	...	The Ellis Baby
Daphne Lawson	...	Laundry Lady
Hilary Pritchard	...	Laundry Lady
Bruce Purchase	...	Park Policeman
Bernie Searle	...	Dustman
Tommy Wright	...	Dustman

Also Known As:

The Optimists of Nine Elms

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:G | Argentina:Atp | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Battersea, London, England, UK

Company:

Cheetah

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:

Errors in geography: 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*.

sensitive, sad but very true to life

This is a very sad and sensitive film, beautifully filmed in a very poor area of London just behind Battersea Power Station. If you enjoy Merchant Ivory films, the 'Kidnappers', or 'Whistle Down the Wind' then you will appreciate the delicate undertones of this story.

It is very true to life in the late 60's in London and shows the resilience of the children and the sadness of a once great Music Hall star.