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The Ghost of Peter Sellers (2020): Cast & Ratings

The Ghost of Peter Sellers (2020) movie poster

The Ghost of Peter Sellers is a 2020 documentary directed by Peter Medak, starring Peter Sellers, Liza Minnelli and Spike Milligan. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
95%
Echo Score
71
Metascore
74
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The Ghost of Peter Sellers (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
Peter Medak
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Ghost of Peter Sellers About?

The premise of The Ghost of Peter Sellers without spoilers.

This documentary explores the troubled production of a pirate comedy and its lasting impact on everyone involved. Director Peter Medak recounts his harrowing experience, detailing the tumultuous making of the film and the significant challenges faced during filming. The film delves into the complex relationship between Medak and the legendary Peter Sellers, revealing the human toll of creative chaos, ego clashes, and the dark legacy left by a comedy icon.

The Ghost of Peter Sellers Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • filmmaker
  • troubled production
  • behind the scenes
  • failed project
  • cyprus
  • film director
  • actor
  • film within a film
  • reading aloud
  • hungarian immigrant
  • told in flashback
  • flashback
+38 more
  • immigrant
  • british actor
  • eccentric man
  • hungarian filmmaker
  • hungarian film director
  • hungarian abroad
  • hungarian in cyprus
  • briton abroad
  • briton in cyprus
  • failed expectation
  • name in title
  • male name in title
  • voice over narration
  • talking to the camera
  • breaking the fourth wall
  • old man
  • older person
  • reunion
  • black and white scene
  • underwater scene
  • ship
  • boat
  • year 1972
  • screenwriter
  • london england
  • hungarian in london
  • photograph
  • reference to michael caine
  • reference to roger moore
  • reference to mick jagger
  • year 1973
  • hungarian in united kingdom
  • talent agent
  • photo album
  • old woman
  • f word
  • reference to variety magazine
  • reference to john croydon
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Cast & crew

The Ghost of Peter Sellers Cast

Peter Sellers leads the cast, with Liza Minnelli and Spike Milligan. Directed by Peter Medak; 16 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Peter Medak

More films directed by Peter Medak, best-rated first: The Changeling, The Krays, Zorro: The Gay Blade and Romeo Is Bleeding.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Ghost of Peter Sellers Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Ghost of Peter Sellers 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in sensory experience (60).

71 /100

The Ghost of Peter Sellers Echo Score Breakdown

The Ghost of Peter Sellers delivers a generally engaging documentary that combines insightful industry commentary with uneven aesthetic execution. It offers intimate reflections on Peter Sellers’ creative impact and the chaotic production of a failed film, yielding moments of both humor and pathos. While the narrative is absorbing, intermittent pacing lags and modest visual style temper its momentum. Overall, the documentary presents a compelling portrait of artistic excess that resonates despite occasional stylistic shortcomings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, the documentary exhibits mixed visual cohesion and a restrained stylistic palette. Archival footage is integrated with measured editing, yet the overall aesthetic feels flat at times and lacks strong production flourishes. Direction remains serviceable but seldom ventures beyond conventional documentary techniques. As a result, the film’s craft foundations are solid but fail to achieve striking visual distinction.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, the film excels in portraying Peter Sellers’ complex personality. The documentary captures both his creative brilliance and personal turmoil through candid interviews and reflective narration. Emotional arcs unfold with clarity, offering nuanced insight into the toll of celebrity indulgence. In sum, the character-driven focus delivers a powerful and affecting portrait of its subject.

  • Story & Flow 68

    In terms of story and flow, the documentary balances historical context with narrative coherence but yields an uneven pacing. Early segments take time to establish the ill-fated production, leading to a slower buildup. Once in motion, the film remains engaging through instructive anecdotes and focused thematic progression. Despite occasional lulls, the storyline sustains interest and concludes with a clear depiction of creative collapse and personal reckoning.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Regarding sensory experience, the film employs a modest musical score and straightforward sound design that serve the narrative without drawing attention. Visual style remains consistent but minimal, relying heavily on existing production footage rather than original cinematography. Soundscapes support interviews effectively but offer limited dynamic range. Consequently, the sensory elements are functional yet unremarkable, contributing to a subdued audiovisual atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    As for rewatch factor, the documentary offers moderate replay value for viewers interested in film history and celebrity psychology. Emotional depth and industry revelations encourage return viewings, providing fresh insights into Sellers’ complex legacy. However, the uneven pacing and restrained stylistic choices may lessen enthusiasm for repeated watches. Overall, the film retains enough analytical richness to warrant occasional revisit by dedicated audiences.

Videos

The Ghost of Peter Sellers Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Ghost of Peter Sellers.

THE GHOST OF PETER SELLERS - Official Festival Trailer
Cars

Cars in The Ghost of Peter Sellers

3 cars on screen, including the 2012 Nissan Versa and the 1994 Chevrolet Blazer.

  • 2012 Nissan Versa in The Ghost of Peter Sellers 2012 Nissan Versa Minor role
  • 1994 Chevrolet Blazer in The Ghost of Peter Sellers 1994 Chevrolet Blazer Background role
  • 2001 Dodge Stratus in The Ghost of Peter Sellers 2001 Dodge Stratus Background role

Seen The Ghost of Peter Sellers?

FAQ

The Ghost of Peter Sellers FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Ghost of Peter Sellers, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Ghost of Peter Sellers?

The Ghost of Peter Sellers runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was The Ghost of Peter Sellers released?

The Ghost of Peter Sellers was released on May 22, 2020.

Who directed The Ghost of Peter Sellers?

The Ghost of Peter Sellers was directed by Peter Medak.

More films by Peter Medak

Who is in the cast of The Ghost of Peter Sellers?

The Ghost of Peter Sellers stars Peter Sellers, Liza Minnelli and Spike Milligan, among 16 credited actors.

How is The Ghost of Peter Sellers rated?

The Ghost of Peter Sellers has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Does The Ghost of Peter Sellers have a post-credit scene?

No. The Ghost of Peter Sellers has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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