The Wrong Arm of the Law

Die Banditen verlieren die letzten Sicherheiten und ihre Welt bricht zusammen, wenn es so aussieht, dass „auch die Bullen Gauner sind“ :) Eine gelungene Komödie. Ich war angenehm überrascht, dass sie sich nicht nur auf Peter Sellers, sondern gleichermaßen auch auf den ausgezeichneten Lionel Jeffries verlässt. Michael Caine habe ich gar nicht bemerkt – angeblich spielt er eine kleine Rolle eines Polizisten im Hintergrund auf der Polizeistation. Ich wäre aber froh, wenn mir das Internet diese Information bestätigen würde. (01.05.2023)

A typical British comedy of the 60s, combining elements of classical slapstick and a conversational studio comedy, relying on the acting and charisma of Peter Sellers. This time, he is not the clumsy bumbler in the style of his most famous character from The Pink Panther, but rather his exact opposite. His character Pearly Gates is a smooth con artist who runs a small criminal empire with irresistible charm. However, his path is crossed by a nuisance in the form of a cheeky Australian gang, and so he must join forces with his archenemies from the British police to deal with this danger. Some gags no longer work today and there is a certain helplessness felt in a few scenes, e.g., when we don't know what to do, let's just have everyone fight. However, many dialogues and humorous situations are fully functional even today, such as the meeting of the criminal syndicate, which parodies political party meetings (unanimously approved - what were we actually voting on?). Alongside Sellers, Lionel Jeffries shines in the role of the incompetent police commissioner. Overall impression: 75%. (07.02.2010)