Peter Sellers is one of the most famous comedic actors of all time. But that doesn’t mean he was the easiest performer to work with, which is evident in the new documentary, “The Ghost of Peter Sellers.”
As seen in the trailer, “The Ghost of Peter Sellers” tells the story of the tumultuous filming of the pirate comedy film, “Ghost in the Noonday Sun.” The film shows just how the contentious production left lasting scars on those involved, including Sellers and the film’s director. The new documentary is directed by Peter Medak, the man behind the fateful production of “Ghost in the Noonday Sun.” He’s also well-known for helming features such as “Zorro, The Gay Blade” and “The Ruling Class.”
We caught the film at the 2018 Venice Film Festival, where our reviewer called it an “A-grade film.” Specifically, the review said, “[The film is] ultimately an emotionally cathartic and absorbing movie about a man who can’t let go, yet wants to be free. A world champion at nursing a grudge, Peter Medak eventually reveals himself to be a sensitive artist with a deep scar, who caught a bad break and just wishes the tides of fate would have been kinder.”
“The Ghost of Peter Sellers” arrives on VOD on June 23.
Here’s the synopsis:
Staking his claim in a rich screen history that no filmmaker ever sets out to be a part of — nonfiction features about movies that went wildly awry — acclaimed director Medak (The Ruling Class) digs deep into his own psyche while unearthing long-buried archival materials. He seeks closure on how his Columbia Pictures 17th-century-set pirate comedy Ghost in the Noonday Sun sank almost without a trace in 1973 despite — and/or because of — its mercurial-genius star Peter Sellers, personally exchanging candid and cathartic accounts of the shoot with key participants. Four decades on, Medak retraces his steps in sun-baked Cyprus, where Sellers acted out and up again and again; the latter’s best mate Spike Milligan added to the creative ferment and chaos; and shooting on the water swamped logistics. Haunting the director still is his deep compassion for the legendary Sellers, who would be gone forever a few years after filming.