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One Of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing
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One of the funniest films ever
Review date: 2008-11-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
Yes, there's slapstick, but it's the best - see the fight between museum guards and Chinese criminals, using stuffed animals as weapons, or the rematch pitting the Chinese against British nannies armed only with umbrellas and a determination not to take any more nonsense from you, young man! But a lot of the comedy comes from character and script, and perfect playing from all concerned. Ustinov, Hayes and Nimmo stand out, but Roy Kinnear and Geoffrey Pearson are in there somewhere, along with a long string of British character actors. The maid at Lord Castleberry's home has one brilliant wordless moment "Florence will look after you!" (Florence humphs silently). OK, so these days, we wouldn't have Europeans disguising themselves as Asiatics with blue eye makeup . (Can you spot Hugh Laurie and Joan (Marple) Hickson?)
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Reviews
One of our dinosaurs is missing
Review date: 2007-11-27 Rating: 10 out of 10
One of the funniest films I have ever seen
I was thrilled to see you can get it on DVD I want to share this with my 3 daughters great film lovers with great senses of humours.
Derek Nimo was brilliant in this film, when I saw this originally many years ago, he was in a british sit com called 'O Brother' he always made/makes me laugh!
Still funny 20 years on!
Review date: 2007-03-24 Rating: 10 out of 10
I first saw this film when I was about 5 ~ I'm now 25 and still find it wonderful. It is definately suitable for adults as well as children.
The previous reviewer has given a great overview of the plot, so I will just add this:
It is set in 1920's London. Lord Southmere has escaped China with a microfilm containing the secret of 'Lotus X', but must prevent the Chinese from stealing it back.
After falling from one of the dinosaur skeletons in the Natural History Museum {"But was it the diplodocus or the brontesaurus?"}, and being held prisoner by Hnup Wan, he confides all in 'Nanny' {Hettie}. But he keeps protesting that he is not a spy, just "An ordinary businessman."
Hettie enlists the help of a couple of fellow Nannies, including young Susan who is something of a tomboy! But despite her best efforts, not only can Hettie not find the microfilm, she fails to keep their suspicious activities from her young charges ~ Lord Castleberry and Truscott. These two befriend Hnup Wan {who Hettie recognises as the son of the Chinese ambasador, and procedes to intimidate him!}, seeing a way to make some money.
But, all comes well in the end {I won't spoil it by telling you!}.
Peter Ustinov and Helen Hayes play off each other wonderfully. Derek Nimmo is a credible 'Lord', and the cast also features Bernard Breslaw, Joan Sims, Max Wall, Joss Ackland, Roy Kinnear, joan Hickson, John Laurie, Amanda Barrie, and Jon Pertwee, among others.
The actual use of the Natural History Museum for some scenes adds to the suspension of disbelief.
All in all, well worth watching for children and adults alike!
Terrifying British nannies foil cunning Oriental plan
Review date: 2005-04-21 Rating: 8 out of 10
An English gentleman, Lord Southmere (Derek Nimmo) left China by novel means carrying a precious secret. A most fiendishly clever Chinese agent, Hnup Wan (Peter Ustinov) and his crack(ed) team of martial arts specialists, were under strict instructions to get the stolen treasure back. All would have been lost for Lord Southmere, had he not run into his old nanny, Hettie (Helen Hayes) when Hnup Wan and his boys tracked him to the dinosaur section of the British Museum of Natural History. He managed to tell nanny where he had hidden the coveted item just before passing out. Hettie and her gang of fearless nannies were forced to appropriate one of the dinosaurs to stop the Chinese chaps from finding the hiding place of the mysterious stolen secret.
I'm assured this is a film for children and adults will not appreciate it. However, some adults have a childish sense of humour and I'm one of those. This film has kept me happily gurgling with mirth for most of its 90 minute running time. The myth of British eccentricity is exploited shamelessly and the well-spring of English wackiness is shown to be the British nanny - the formidable women with the power to shape tender young toffs. It may be a lot of slap-stick nonsense, but it's fun. I recommend it to all who are young at heart, including children.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Derek Nimmo
Peter Ustinov
Clive Revill
Joan Sims
Helen Hayes
Creators:
Peter Ustinov (Primary Contributor)
Helen Hayes (Primary Contributor)
Paul Beeson (Cinematographer)
Peter Boita (Editor)
Bill Walsh (Producer)
Bill Walsh (Writer)
Hugh Attwooll (Producer)
David Forrest (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm
EAN: 5017188810654
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2004-05-03
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1975-07-09
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Finnish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)