The Party

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The Party

1968

1h 39m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

While trying to tie his shoe, bumbling extra Hrundi V. Bakshi (Peter Sellers) unwittingly triggers explosives that destroy the set of an epic war film. The furious director tells executive Fred Clutterbuck (J. Edward McKinley) to fire him. Because of a misunderstanding, Bakshi instead mistakenly receives an invitation to an exclusive party at Clutterbuck's Hollywood mansion, where he proceeds to wreak havoc on partygoers as he stumbles through what will become the wildest night he's ever seen.

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Sam Adams

The Dissolve

The film makes a strong argument for the liberating joys of disorder.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 22, 2014

Full Review

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

Plays like leftovers from the Panther films.

Rated: C

May 4, 2005

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Edwards directs with economy for most of the way, but when the living room fills up with soapsuds and the elephant, he can't help lingering over the expensive scene he's produced.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Designed as both a homage to silent comedy as well as an exercise in improvisation.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 11, 2023

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

An ode to the classic cinema of Keaton and Chaplin, Edwards' title is a light trifle, The Party a fun exercise for fans of Peter Sellers and Blake Edwards in their only non-Pink Panther union.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 3, 2020

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A few sight gags go over well and the satire sometimes hits the mark, but much of the film stalls with too many repetition accidents.

Rated: B-

Apr 20, 2019

Full Review

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Mark F.

Birdie Num-Nums! Peter Sellers is pure comedic genius.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/14/25

Full Review

Christine V

I thought it was just dumb slapstick. Peter Sellers was so much better than this.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/30/25

Full Review

Ed .

Sending my regrets. I don't get it. I did not find this film funny at all, and it has nothing to do with the brownface. I think Peter Sellers is one of the funniest actors ever to appear in film, and think Blake Edwards is one of the most accomplished directors. I find the Pink Panther films to be hysterical, and am a fan of that kind of comedy. Yet I found Sellers' antics in The Party to be annoying and boorish. I also don't get why the character being a native of India was a required or essential characteristic. While a foreigner may be less aware of American customs, only the most primitive caveman might lack basic manners but would still have natural intelligence. I am withholding a rating while I assume it is I who lack an understanding and appreciation of this classic film.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/25

Full Review

Annie L

I think Peter Sellers is great, and I can overlook him playing an Indian man, but this movie is so SLOW! And I don’t mind slow, art films. There is just so little happening and the same physical comedy jokes repeated many times. I only made it through the first 40 minutes.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/04/25

Full Review

Schulzbot S

Despite the sometimes questionable innuendo and stereotypes you'll discover whilst watching this slow motion train wreck, I hope you'll find as much sheer joy in the slapstick foolishness and perfect timing as I did. It's almost like an old school silent movie with some words thrown in. Performance art with a loving message, cloaked in comedic chaos. The Butterfly Effect you may have learned about in Physics class, made real. Nothing happens yet everything possible happens! Yes. I'm a fan.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

Full Review

Rare T

Funny and immersive, The Party is a never-ending spiral of extravaganza, which while mostly farcical is still somehow resonant at some extent.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/14/25

Full Review

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Blake Edwards

Director

Peter Sellers

Hrundi V. Bakshi

Claudine Longet

Michele Monet

Marge Champion

Rosalind Dunphy

Gavin MacLeod

Charlie S. Divot

Sharron Kimberly

Princess Helena

The Party: Official Clip - Toilet Trouble

3:39

The Party: Official Clip - Injun Grip

1:44

The Party: Official Clip - Wyoming Bill

2:03

The Party: Official Clip - Telephone Call

1:55

The Party: Official Clip - A Good Laugh

2:04

The Party: Official Clip - The Intercom

1:30

The Party: Official Clip - The Bugler Who Wouldn't Die

2:35

The Party: Official Clip - If the Shoe Floats

4:00

The Party: Official Clip - Awkward Dance

2:07

The Party: Official Clip - A Small Seat at the Table

1:08

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Synopsis

While trying to tie his shoe, bumbling extra Hrundi V. Bakshi (Peter Sellers) unwittingly triggers explosives that destroy the set of an epic war film. The furious director tells executive Fred Clutterbuck (J. Edward McKinley) to fire him. Because of a misunderstanding, Bakshi instead mistakenly receives an invitation to an exclusive party at Clutterbuck's Hollywood mansion, where he proceeds to wreak havoc on partygoers as he stumbles through what will become the wildest night he's ever seen.

Director: Blake Edwards
Producer: Blake Edwards
Screenwriter: Blake Edwards, Tom Waldman, Frank Waldman
Production Co: Mirisch Corporation
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 4, 1968, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 1h 39m

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