Joseph McGrath's adaptation of Terry Southern's scabrous 1960 novel, about a powerful man out to prove that everyone has his price, was intended to be a countercultural satire of the ills of the establishment that would appeal to hip younger viewers of the time. But even in 1969 the humor seemed smug and the “swinging” style dated; three decades later the picture comes across as very musty indeed. Peter Sellers, in one of his duller performances, plays the fabulously wealthy Guy Grand, who, accompanied by his newly-adopted son (the blank, inexpressive Ringo Starr), plays a series of malicious pranks on unsuspecting people to demonstrate the power of money--from Laurence Harvey stripping while delivering the soliloquy from Hamlet to people jumping into a vat of blood and excrement (which should give you some idea of the level of inspiration). John Cleese, Yul Brynner, Raquel Welch, Christopher Lee and Roman Polanski are among the other guest stars that show up for bits, with distinctly variable results. The Magic Christian is of interest as a cultural artifact, but whatever sharpness it once may have had--apart from the image quality of the excellent transfer on this extra-less full frame only disc--has all but evaporated. Not a necessary purchase. (F. Swietek)[DVD/Blu-ray Review—June 4, 2013—Olive, 92 min., PG, DVD: $24.95, Blu-ray: $29.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1969's The Magic Christian features a solid transfer, but no special features. Bottom line: a minor cult film makes a welcome debut on Blu-ray.]
The Magic Christian
Artisan, 101 min., PG, DVD: $14.98 Volume 18, Issue 3
The Magic Christian
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