Trial and Error

Peter Sellers - Wilfred Morgenhall
Richard Attenborough - Herbert Fowle
Beryl Reid - Doris Fowle
David Lodge - Frank Bateson
Frank Pettingell - Tuppy Morgan

This offbeat, arty comedy-drama was originally a radio play by John Mortimer who went on to achieve further success in the TV legal field with Rumpole Of The Bailey, and this boldly satirical attempt to present something different is on the whole a fairly successful endeavour. The sharp screenplay by Pierre Rouve is a literate job containing a deft mixture of comedy and pathos. The films multiple roles affords Peter Sellers the opportunity of showing off his many characterisations and much of his work is excellent but it’s Richard Attenborough who comes out of the acting duel on top with his joyous portrayal of the unrepentant murderer.

Aging and unsuccessful barrister Wilfred Morgenhall (Peter Sellers) gets the chance of a lifetime when briefed to defend Herbert Fowle (Richard Attenborough), a mild birdseed merchant who has murdered his wife (Beryl Reid) because he wanted peace and quiet. He is bored with her because of her raucous sense of humour. It is the last straw when she doesn't elope with their equally raucous and boisterous lodger (David Lodge). Morgenhall plans his campaign optimistically and is quite undaunted when Fowle confesses to the crime and shows the flaws in all Morgenhall's defence arguments.