Set in the 1920s, this British/French/Italian co-production was a follow-up to Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965) and had the same director (Ken Annakin), writers (Jack Davies and Annakin), composer (Ron Goodwin), and five actors: Terry-Thomas, Eric Sykes, Gert Fröbe, William Rushton and Michael Trubshawe.
Various competitors from 15 different countries start off at five different checkpoints to compete in the Monte Carlo rally. The drivers that make it to the pre-arranged checkpoint at Chamberry in the French Alps will then complete the final leg to Monte Carlo.
Chester Schofield (Tony Curtis) is a hip American car manufacture who owns half a car manufacturing plant that he won in a card game. The other half is owned by Sir Cuthbert Ware-Armitage (Terry-Thomas) the son of Sir Percy Ware-Armitage (also Terry-Thomas) – the villain in Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
Sir Cuthbert doesn’t want Yank innovation spoiling British ingenuity and uses the Monte Carlo Rally as a chance to place a bet with Chester where the winner takes all of the car plant. Sir Cuthbert then plots dastardly plans to make sure Chester doesn’t win the race. Perkins (Eric Sykes) is Cuthbert’s put-upon sidekick who is blackmailed into aiding in the nasty schemes.
Chester’s racing companion is Betty (Susan Hampshire).
Other racers include British inventor Major Digby Dawlish (Peter Cook) and his loyal batman orderly Lt. Kit Barrington (Dudley More); Willy (Gert Frobe), a getaway driver sprung from prison to smuggle stolen Jewels for a bunch of German crooks; his companion Count Levinovitch (Jack Hawkins); and a trio of french female drivers – Marie-Claude (Mireille Darc), Pascale (Marie Dubois) and Dominique (Nicoletta Macchiavelli)
Released in some markets as Monte Carlo or Bust! the film has great scenery, a wonderful cast and visually splendid stunts.
Monsieur Dupont
Bourvil Marcello
Lando Buzzanca Angelo
Walter Chiari Major Digby Dawlish
Peter Cook Chester Schofield
Tony Curtis Marie-Claude
Mireille Darc Pascale
Marie Dubois Willi Schickel / Horst Müller
Gert Fröbe Betty
Susan Hampshire Count Levinovitch
Jack Hawkins (dubbed by Robert Rietty) Dominique
Nicoletta Machiavelli Lt. Kit Barrington
Dudley Moore Otto
Peer Schmidt Perkins
Eric Sykes Sir Cuthbert Ware-Armitage
Terry-Thomas Lady Journalist
Hattie Jacques Waleska
Derren Nesbitt Golf Club Secretary
Richard Wattis
Director
Ken Annakin
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Chester Schofield (Tony Curtis) is a hip American car manufacture who owns half a car manufacturing plant that he won in a card game. The other half is owned by Sir Cuthbert Ware-Armitage (Terry-Thomas) the son of Sir Percy Ware-Armitage (also Terry-Thomas) – the villain in Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
