Peter Sellers is regarded by many as one of the greatest comedians of all time. But behind the charismatic performer, and his three Oscar nominations (two of which were for acting) is a story of reflection and forgiveness that has been years in the making.
Directed by Peter Medak (“The Ruling Class,” “The Changeling“), “The Ghost of Peter Sellers” finds the filmmaker revisiting one of his early credits, “Ghost In The Noonday Sun,” and the antics of its star, the aforementioned Peter Sellers. The documentary sees Medak traveling to various locations and describing the troubled process of directing Sellers, who many times clashed with his director. It is an emotional journey for Medak, revered in his own craft. One that will insight laughter and tears when it hits theaters.
“The Ghost of Peter Sellers” will be making the festival rounds this fall, including the Raindance Film Festival in the UK later in September.
Here’s the official synopsis and trailer:
The original ‘Ghost’ movie was shot mostly on the Mediterranean sea on real ships which nobody had ever dared to attempt before. Even before shooting began, the Greek Captain delivering the Pirate ship to Kyrenia’s magnificent 7th Century Harbour was so drunk that he crashed the ship into the Quay. The production descended further after Peter Sellers lost confidence in the film and fired the Producers and then the Director of Photography. Structured around the original director Peter Medak and his journey back to the island 42 years later, The Ghost of Peter Sellers is a timeline of events supported by eye-opening and heart-felt interviews with remaining cast members, production staff, Cypriot locals and others from the world of filmmaking. From Los Angeles to New York, from London to Cyprus, Peter recaptures what it was like to work with the genius talents of Sellers and Milligan whilst explaining the saga of the Pirate film and how such a brilliant and funny idea could go so terribly wrong and become a total disaster.