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Directed by Richard Lester (A HARD DAY'S NIGHT), THE MOUSE ON THE MOON is a sequel to THE MOUSE THAT ROARED, based on the novel by Leonard Wibberley. Making up for the loss of Peter Sellers (who played multiple characters in the first film), Lester creates sharp comedic characters with an excellent British cast. He also makes shrewd political observations of American and Soviet rivalries during the Cold War that give this 1963 film its historical significance. Here, the Prime Minister of the Duchy of Grand Fenwick (Ron Moody), in order to raise funds to fix the castle's failing plumbing system, requests foreign aid from the U.S., claiming the money will be used for space research. The Russians, who are also interested in helping with the space program, send funds as well, leaving the only scientist in the castle with the task of whipping up a rocket as quickly as possible while the duke prepares for a nice hot bath. What results is a space race between the U.S., the Soviet Union, and, of course, Grand Fenwick, to see who can get to the moon first.
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