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The Optimists (1973) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   142 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Anthony Simmons (novel)
Tudor Gates (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Optimists on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 October 1973 (USA) more
Genre:
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. more
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. | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Reviews:
A simple tale of childhood, growing and tough city life more (8 total)

Cast

  (Credited 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
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Optimists of Nine Elms
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Runtime:
110 min
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Colour (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Company:

Fun Stuff

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. more
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). more
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*.
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FAQ

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2 out of 2 people found the following review useful.
A simple tale of childhood, growing and tough city life, 6 June 2005
10/10
Author: rjandtacarroll from New Zealand

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.

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