In celebration of what would have been Peter Sellers’ 100th Birthday this year, STUDIOCANAL announces the release of another two of his classic films, the much loved British satires ‘Only Two Can Play' (1962) from director Sidney Gilliat (writer: ‘The Green Man', ‘The Belles of St. Trinian's') and ‘Carlton-Browne of the F.O.' (1959) from master duo Roy Boulting (‘The Family Way', ‘Heavens Above!') & Jeffrey Dell (“Don't Take It To Heart”), lovingly restored in 4K and on brand new Blu-Ray & DVD Vintage Classics editions from 26th January 2026.
Homegrown comedy legend Peter Sellers (‘The Pink Panther', ‘The Ladykillers', “I'm All Right Jack”) continues to demonstrate his remarkable talent and versatility in these celebrated post-war gems of the silver screen. Romantic satire ‘Only Two Can Play' follows Sellers as frustrated librarian John Lewis who embarks on a flirtatious and chaotic affair as escape from his dull family life, also starring Mai Zetterling (‘Frieda'), Virginia Maskell (‘The Risk') and the brilliant Richard Attenborough (‘Brighton Rock') and based on the novel That Uncertain Feeling by Kingsley Amis, who was known for his witty depictions of post-war British life. Political farce ‘Carlton-Browne of the F.O.' sees Sellers take on a supporting role as the scheming prime minister of a tiny British colony to Terry-Thomas’s (‘School For Scoundrels') lead as bumbling Foreign Official Carlton Browne, who is tasked with handling diplomatic relations with the island. This hilarious parody of British colonial attitudes and government bureaucracy sees these two acting stalwarts at their best.
These new editions join part of an expanding collection of 4K restorations of Peter Sellers films reissued in recognition of his centenary and include a thrilling selection of new bonus material. They will also form part of a fantastic new box-set of eight Peter Sellers films which will be available later in 2026. Recently released and also forming part of the box-set are comedy classics from the same period ‘Two Way Stretch' and ‘Heavens Above!'. More information on the box-set will be announced soon.
‘Only Two Can Play' follows John Lewis, the small-town Welsh librarian who is offered an escape from his mundane life and henpecked-husband routine when councillor's wife Liz takes a shine to him. Alas, none of their carefully calculated schemes for a romantic tryst come to fruition thanks to a series of comic complications.
‘Carlton-Browne of the F.O.' follows the story of a long-forgotten British colony suddenly becoming geopolitically hot property due to its rare mineral deposits, with the Foreign Office scrambling to reassert influence. Enter Carlton-Browne (a charmingly clueless diplomat whose only qualification is his father's legacy and a knack for accidental diplomacy). Dispatched to the island of Gaillardia, Carlton must navigate a tangled web of Cold War tensions, royal intrigue, and Morris dancing mishaps. As rival factions vie for control and foreign powers circle like vultures, Carlton stumbles through espionage, romance, and revolution – proving that sometimes, the most unlikely man can make the biggest mess… and still come out ahead.
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To celebrate the releases, we have 1 bundle featuring both films on Blu-ray to give away. Enter below for a chance to win…
