If you were born in the last 25 years or so, and with no great interest in classic British cinema, the chances are that you might not have heard of Peter Sellers, or if you have your sum knowledge might be that he played Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther films in the 70s and 80s.
In celebration of one of Britian’s comic greats, Sellers would have been 100 on the 8th September 2025, Studiocanal have released two new vintage classic Blu-Ray films, showcasing the actors early film career in Britain.
Review (Two-Way Stretch)
Two-Way Stretch (1960), directed by Robert Day and co-starring British comedy greats Bernard Cribbins (The Railway Children) and Lionel Jeffries (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), sees "Dodger" Lane (Sellers), "Jelly" Knight (David Lodge) and "Lennie the Dip" (Cribbins) living the easy life in prison.
After being visited by conman "Soapy" Stevens (Wilfrid Hyde-White), disguised as a vicar, the trio are coerced into stealing diamonds from a Sultan who is visiting Britain. The only downside to their plan is that, whilst being in prison gives them the perfect alibi, they must break out in order to commit their crime.
Thinking it’s an easy job, their plans take a turn for the worst when the lackadaisical head of security is replaced by the tyrannical new Chief Prison Officer "Sour" Crout (Jeffries).
Studiocanal Blu-Ray is a thing of beauty with hardly a blemish. The picture probably looks as good, if not better, than when it was first projected in cinemas back in 1960. The film comes with a terrific stereo soundtrack, with deep base, great separation, and clear voices, it’s a splendid accompaniment to the terrific picture.
The extras, the highlight being New -Two Way Stretch: Sellers on the Inside featuring interview footage with Roy Boulting, Beryl Reid, Bryan Forbes, Sidney Gilliat and Mai Zetterling, are all short but help to add to what is probably the best presentation, on disc, there’s been of this British classic.
Two-Way Stretch, with its wonderful cast of British character actors and a terrific performance from Peter Sellers, is a highly enjoyable piece of escapist entertainment and comes highly recommended.
Picture and Sound 5/5
Film 4/5
Review (Heavens Above!)
The second release from Studiocanal, Heavens Above! (1963) sees Sellers play John Smallwood, a naive but caring prison chaplain, who, due to a clerical error, is mistakenly appointed to the English country town of Orbiston Parva.
The only notable thing about Orbiston Parva, is its large medical factory which is run by the Despard family. The family practically run the town and take a keen interest in the church.
Only days into his new appointment Smallwood causes upheaval in the town, a town he sees as losing touch with God, when he creates waves by appointing a black dustman as his churchwarden. He then takes in a family after being evicted from their illegal encampment by the Despard family. After upsetting the towns middle class, he then talks local landowner Lady Despard, who he convinces that the way to heaven is to spread her wealth, into providing food for the church to distribute free to the people of the town.
Coming at the time when the Cold war with Russia was at its height, director John and Roy Boulting’s film (they worked with Sellers on a number of occasions) is a satirical look at the downside of communism and socialism. Smallwood’s efforts to have everyone equal in the eyes of God soon begins to unravel when his free market starts to have a negative effect on the town’s local businesses. By the end it’s obvious that the Boultings’ brother message is that everyone has their place with some being more equal than others.
Like the aforementioned Two-Way Stretch Studiocanal have again come up trumps, in terms of the picture and sound quality, with a wonderful restoration. Extras are similar to the Two-Way Stretch disc.
Heavens Above! might not have aged as well, in terms of its story, as Two-Way Stretch but it’s still makes for fascinating viewing watching Peter Sellers at the peak of his powers.
Picture and Sound 5/5
Film 3/5
In celebration of beloved comic actor Peter Sellers, on what would have been his 100th Birthday on 8 September, STUDIOCANAL announces new Vintage Classics Blu-Ray releases of two of his best comedies from his early film career in Britain. Two Way Stretch (1960) is the witty and inventive crime caper directed by Robert Day and co-starring comedy greats Bernard Cribbins (CROOKS IN CLOISTERS) and Lionel Jeffries (CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG), and Heavens Above!(1963), the sharp social satire about an honest priest whose kindness disrupts an upmarket English village, from directors John & Roy Boulting and co-starring Cecil Parker (THE LADYKILLERS), Brock Peters (TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD), Eric Sykes (THE PLANK) and Irene Handl (I’M ALL RIGHT JACK). Both films will be available on Blu-Ray from 4th August, or via pre-order, and include a selection of exciting new bonus content.
A chameleon of the silver screen, Peter Sellers was one of the most versatile and unique comic actors of his generation. A master in mimicry and improvisation, he is best known for his expertly choreographed and exaggerated portrayal of the clumsy yet absurdly self-confident French Inspector Jacques Clouseau in THE PINK PANTHER series (1963-1978). His slapstick genius was likened to that of Charlie Chaplin who he openly acknowledged as a major influence and source of inspiration. After an early start in radio, Sellers career in film catapulted in the 1950s, notably appearing alongside Sir Alec Guinness in the Ealing Studios black comedy THE LADYKILLERS (1955), directed by Alexander Mackendrick, and in John Boulting’s I’M ALL RIGHT JACK (1959), which earned him a BAFTA Award for Best British Actor.
One of Sellers’ most celebrated comic performances came in Stanley Kubrick’s dark political satire DR. STRANGELOVE (1964), for which his multiple role delivery earned him an Academy Award® nomination for Best Actor, alongside wide critical acclaim. In 1979 however, he proved himself to be equally capable as a dramatic actor, picking up another Academy Award® nomination for his subtle portrayal of simple-minded gardener Chance in Hal Ashby’s BEING THERE. Sellers’ reputation off screen was somewhat troubled but despite this, and numerous health struggles, he left behind a legacy as one of the most inventive performers in history and is still considered as one of the greatest comedy icons of all time
Starring the finest comic actor of his generation Peter Sellers(The Pink Panther), TWO WAY STRETCH is one of the funniestcomedy crime capers of 1960s British cinema. Also starring a
supporting cast of comedy legends including Lionel Jeffries(Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and Bernard Cribbins (Crooks In Cloisters).
Constantly taking advantage of the prison governor’s liberalmethods towards authority, convict, and criminal mastermindDodger Lane (Sellers) decides to commit the ultimate crimewith the ultimate alibi. Along with a misfit crew of fellowinmates he plans to escape from prison, steal a priceless cache of diamonds and then return to his cell before anyone notices.Who said genius was easy?
Extras:
• NEW - Peter Sellers: Criminally Good – A look at the production of Two Way Stretch featuring interviews with Peter Lydon, director of BBC Arena’s The Peter Sellers Story and the BFI’s Vic Pratt, co-author of The Bodies Beneath: The Flipside of British Film and Television
• NEW - Two Way Stretch: Sellers on the Inside – Featuring interview footage with Roy Boulting, Beryl Reid, Bryan Forbes, Sidney Gilliat and Mai Zetterling originally shot for Seller’s Best (1992, dir Paul Joyce) a 60-minute documentary on the early film career of Peter Sellers, broadcast on Channel Four
• Audio Commentary by Authors and Comedy Historians Gemma Ross and Robert Ross
• Behind the Scenes stills gallery
• Trailer
Feature Running Time: 87 mins approx. • Feature Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 • Region B
Black and White • HD Standard 1080p • LPCM 2.0 Mono • English • SDH Subtitles
The inimitable Peter Sellers stars as John Smallwood,an idealistic Reverend appointed to the parish ofan upper-class village by mistake. With a bad habitof telling the truth at all times, Smallwood makesseveral clerical decisions that shock his wealthy,landed-gentry parishioners. Inspired by an idea byBritish satirist Malcolm Muggeridge, the Boultingbrothers’ HEAVENS ABOVE! was considered abit too sacrilegious for general consumption onits 1963 release. Way ahead of its time, the film,featuring Sellers at his most iconoclastic, has sinceaccrued a loyal and vocal following. Superbsupporting cast includes Eric Sykes, Irene Handl,William Hartnell and Joan Hickson.
Extras:
•NEW - Sellers Takes Off in Heavens Above! – A look at the production of Heavens Above! featuring interviews with Peter Lydon, director of BBC Arena’s The Peter Sellers Story and the BFI’s Vic Pratt, co-author of The Bodies Beneath: The Flipside of British Film and Television
• NEW - Heavens Above! A Q&A with Daily Mash’s Tom Whitley, Eva Griffith and Benedict Morrison – filmed at the LOCO London Comedy Film Festival in 2025
• NEW - Heavens Above! The Mask Behind the Mask– Featuring interview footage with Roy Boulting, Ian Carmichael and Sidney Gilliat originally shot for Seller’s Best (1992, dir Paul Joyce) a 60-minute documentary on the early film career of Peter Sellers, broadcast on Channel Four
• Audio Commentary by Authors and Comedy Historians Gemma Ross and Robert Ross
• Lobby Cards Gallery
Feature Running Time: 118 mins approx. • Feature Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 • Region B
Black and White • HD Standard 1080p • LPCM 2.0 Mono • English • SDH Subtitles
Two Way Stretch & Heavens Above! come to Blu-Ray on 4 August. In Character: The Films of Peter Sellers runs from 2-30 August at the BFI Southbank. A Box Set of Peter Sellers films will be available in November.