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Plot synopsis:
The story begins outside Cairo where Okra (Akim Tamiroff), using a bikini-clad accomplice (Maria Grazia Buccella) as a distraction, hijacks $3 million in gold bullion. The thieves need a way to smuggle the two tons of gold bars into Europe. There are only four master criminals considered capable of smuggling the gold, but each is ruled out: an Frenchman is so crippled that he can barely move his wheelchair; an Irishman is so nearsighted that he is arrested after trying to hold up a police station instead of a bank; a German is so fat he can barely get through a door; and an Italian, Aldo Vanucci (Peter Sellers), also known as The Fox, a master criminal with a talent for disguise, is in prison.
Vanucci knows about the smuggling contract but is reluctant to accept it because he does not want to disgrace his mother and young sister, Gina (Britt Ekland). However, when his three sidekicks inform him that Gina has grown up and does not always come home after school, an enraged, over-protective Vanucci vows to escape. He succeeds by impersonating the prison doctor and convincing the guards that Vanucci has tied him up and escaped. The guards capture the real doctor and bring him face to face with Vanucci, who flees with the aid of his gang. Vanucci returns home where his mother tells him that Gina is working on the Via Veneto. Vanucci takes this to mean that Gina is a prostitute. Disguised as a priest, Aldo sees Gina, who is provocatively dressed, flirting and kissing a fat, middle-aged man. Aldo attacks the man, but it turns out that Gina, who aspires to be a movie star, is merely acting in a low-budget film. Aldo’s actions cost her the role, but he realizes that the smuggling job will make his family’s life better. He makes contact with Okra and agrees to smuggle the gold into Italy for half of the take. Meanwhile, two policemen are constantly on Vanucci’s trail, and he uses several disguises and tricks to throw them off. After seeing a crowd mob over-the-hill American matinee idol Tony Powell (Victor Mature), it strikes Vanucci that movie stars and film crews are idolized and have free rein in society. This idea forms the basis of his master plan.
Vanucci poses as an Italian neo-realist director named Federico Fabrizi. He plans to bring the gold ashore in broad daylight as part of a scene in an avant-garde film. To give the picture an air of legitimacy, he cons the vain Tony Powell to star in the film, blatantly titled The Gold of Cairo — a play on The Gold of Naples, a film De Sica directed in 1954. Powell’s agent, Harry (Martin Balsam) is suspicious of Fabrizi, but his client wants to do the film. Fabrizi enlists the starstruck population of Sevalio, a tiny fishing village, to unload the shipment. However, when the boat carrying the gold is delayed, Fabrizi must actually shoot other scenes for his faux film to keep up the ruse. The ship finally arrives and the townspeople unload the gold, but Okra double-crosses Vanucci and, using a movie smoke machine for cover, drives off with all of the gold. A slapstick car chase ensues, ending with Okra, Vanucci and the police crashing into each other. Vanucci, Tony Powell, Gina, Okra, and the villagers are accused of being co-conspirators. As evidence against them, Vanucci’s "film" is shown in court. An Italian film critic leaps to his feet and proclaims the disjointed footage to be a masterpiece. Vanucci suffers a crisis of conscience and confesses his guilt in court, thereby vindicating the villagers, but proclaiming that he will escape from prison once again.
The film's final scene shows Vanucci escaping from prison by impersonating the prison doctor again. This time, however, he ties the doctor up and walks out of the prison in his place. When he attempts to remove the fake beard that is part of his disguise, he discovers that the beard is real, and realizes that the "wrong man" has escaped from prison.

Review: Sellers as thief in prison, as devoted son and stern brother, as American tourist, and especially as a Felliniesque film director--it's just terrific stuff, he is so pricelessly funny, and yet there is somehow a little less of him and more of a script than there is in the Blake Edwards films, which is why I think I like it better.
The sets are fabulous too, and so is the Bacharach music, much of it deliciously cheerfully Italianate but also the wonderfully catchy main title sung by Sellers himself with the Hollies (that would be Graham Nash later of Crosby, Stills and Nash).There are certain things about the film that remind me of The Producers, though the comedy style is not quite the same.
True, the film sags and lags at parts, but between Peter Sellers, Victor Mature (truly awesome here), and the mouth-wateringly hummana-hummana Brit Ekland, the movie has enough going for it that it remains a favorite.
It is hilarious even by Coen brother and Zucker brother standards.Essentially this film is a study in human ego:Aldo Vanucci (Peter Sellers) wants to be seen as the great master thief.His sister (Britt Ekland) wants to be a film actress (pronounced "film akdress")Aldo's mother wants to be the mother of famous children ("my son the director" "My daughter the akdress")The Agent (Martin Balsam) is proud that he can see through everybody--save himself.Tony Powell, famous film star, (Victor Mature) is an aging actor that won't accept that he's an aging actor.
Much like the scheme inspires Vanucci, the disguise inspires Sellers, and his wildly inventive genius kicks into high gear.Equally funny is Victor Mature as aging, past-his-prime movie idol Tony Powell.
It's a well-written part (by Neil Simon), but Mature really brings him to life, and rather than merely making him a buffoon, which would have been easy to do, he gives him a quality of sympathy; deep down, despite all his posturing and pompousness, Powell probably knows he's on the decline.All-in-all, a very funny film, with a truly inspired Sellers performance, even if it's not his best.
As far as Sellers' performance goes, he did a lovely Italian accent and his character was pretty credible, though despite being the star of the film, he wasn't the standout performer (I think this was actually Victor Mature--doing a wonderful self-parody).The Fox is a master criminal who escapes from prison rather easily in order to keep his sister out of trouble.
Interestingly enough, his sister is played by Sellers' real-life wife, Britt Ekland and his love interest in the film was played by an unknown (but beautiful) Italian.
So, inspired by his sister's desire to be a movie star, he decides to make a fake film and use this as the cover to smuggle in the gold--and this is how Victor Mature comes into the film.
For some reason, this film failed on it's release in 1966, and coincidentally marked the first in a long line of cinema flops for the star Peter Sellers, but now, on viewing it on DVD, I think it stands very comfortably amongst his more recognised work.
The plot, written by Neil Simon is brilliantly fast-paced, the comedy lies everywhere, and there's terrific support from Maurice Denham, Britt Ekland, and of course Victor Mature sending up himself as a age-defying crummy actor.
This late 60's comic bumbling, silly fable with the Peter Sellers and his then (or soon-to-be wife) Britt Ekland AND Victor Mature..and Martin Balsam (OSCAR winner before this - who was also in ON THE WATERFRONT, PSYCHO, and BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S) is a comic easy fable about egos, movie-making and just "you know" 60's fun and I'm sure it bombed.
Neil Simon delivers good writing as usual, and The Hollies and Burt Bacharach make some good music!If The Life and Death of Peter Sellers is to be believed, Sellers and Ekland were having a miserable time during filming, which makes it more remarkable that this film works..
Jailed in an Italian prison, the Fox--one of the last of the world's master criminals--escapes from his cell upon hearing of his sister's escapades; he gets the bright idea of going after a stolen fortune in gold bars recently smuggled out of Cairo, plotting to intercept the shipment at sea while pretending to be a film director making a neo-realist love story in an Italian village.
Screenwriter Neil Simon and director Vittorio De Sica poking fun at European movie-making, with Peter Sellers in the disguise-laden lead.
After all, who doesn't want to be in the movies?Part of Sellers plan is to convince over the hill American movie actor Victor Mature to star in his film.
Martin Balsam also has a good role as Mature's exasperated agent.To see what happens if the budding film director can really smuggle some gold into Italy you have to see After The Fox. It's one of Peter Sellers best films and you've got to love Victor Mature for what he does with his own image here..
"After the Fox" is a fine and entertaining comedy with Peter Sellers at his best right after a couple of "Pink Panther" titles, as a master thief who finds the way through which the police will guard his millionaire robbery while he is accomplishing it.A good supporting cast with Akim Tamiroff, Martin Balsam and pretty Britt Ekland is there too.
Peter Sellers's performance is better than excellent in this film, i'm wondering how can an englishman can behave like an italian (in this movie), an hindu(The Party) or a french (Pink Panther), without making any mistake.
The other enjoying thing about fun making of De Sica, is to put to the end of the movie a critic who evaluated Federico fabrizi's film as a masterpiece..
Trying to Figure out a Fox. After the Fox (1966) is as hard to categorize or rate (in terms of number stars) as it might be to actually catch the animal in real life.After the Fox has an A+ list pedigree; it stars Peter Sellers (Dr. Strangelove), is directed by Vittoria De Sica (The Bicycle Thief), with the screenplay by Neil Simon (The Odd Couple) and music by Burt Bacharach (What's New Pussy Cat), with the title single by the Hollies (Long Cool Woman – in a Black Dress).After the Fox is not the best work for any of the members on the list above.
There are many other scenes in After the Fox that take full advantage of Simon and Seller's artistic skills.Victor Mature (Samson and Delilah) plays the vain heavy Heavy – Tony Powell.
Ekland and Sellers were recently married and it is rumored Sellers insisted she be in the film as the lead actress.After the Fox seems to struggle in the sense that it is caught between trying to be a farce (stealing gold), slapstick comedy (police chases), parody of Italian Art house film (Sellers as Fabrucci/Fellini) and parody of Hollywood (Mature as Powell).
(His sense of humor off the screen was well known in Southern California: "I'm not an actor and I have 64 films to prove it.") To contradict his self-deprecating remarks, in this film Mature proves that he can act.Vittorio De Sica must be credited with bringing this Neil Simon comedy to life with his talented direction.
In any case, I'm sure he won his bet on this film.By the way, does the reader know that Gina Romantica (Britt Ekland) was Mrs. Peter Sellers during the time when this film was made..
The story written by Neil Simon (The Odd Couple) is about Aldo Vanucci (Peter Sellers) who is contracted by Mr. Okra (Akim Tamiroff) to smuggle into Italy a stolen consignment of Gold Bullion.
As Federico Febrizi, he flatters Tony Powell (Victor Mature) and convinces him to star in his Neo-realistic, but fabricated movie with his own sister 'Gina Romantica' (Britt Ekland) and vehemently protested by Tony's manager, Harry (Martin Balsam).
Most people will possibly watch this movie because of Peter Sellers and Britt Ekland (at this time his wife).Another way to look at it is to understand it as part of the great work of Neil Simon who really did a fantastic script - again !
After, he decides the best way to protect Gina's virtue is to help facilitate the biggest robbery in history for a share of the loot.It's not a bad idea for a film, and with an original screenplay by Neil Simon (his first), you get some good lines.
"How many people in the world over 40 can still say they have their own teeth?" asks vain movie star Tony Powell (Victor Mature), grinning into a mirror."And how many people in the world over 50 can say they're only 40?" replies his agent Harry (Martin Balsam).Aldo's mother cracks me up when she threatens to throw herself out of a window to protest her son's life of crime.
Her only problem is that her normally resplendent figure comes across like that of a 12-year-old boy when compared to the va-voomitude of Maria Grazia Buccella, here playing the scantily-clad accomplice of Aldo's partner-in-crime, Okra (Akim Tamiroff).Sellers for once doesn't convince with his new accent; he gets by more with manic energy.
Later Simon would blame much of "After The Fox's" commercial and critical failure on the way director Vittorio De Sica shot the film and had it edited.
If you like Sellers' Pink Panther films, "After The Fox" has that same pleasant plushy vibe.You will laugh at least some of the time.
A ship full of gold bars is arriving from Cairo to a location unknown.There is only one man who can steal that gold.That man is the Italian Aldo Vanucci, aka The Fox.But first, he has to get out of jail.That should be no problem to the Fox.After he is free he comes up with a master plan.Vanucci, who is a master of disguise pretends to be a movie director called Federico Fabrizi and make a movie about gold theft.With Neo-Realistic style.And to star that film he wants the one and only Tony Powell and his sister "Gina Romantica".And there is an entire village assisting him.Vittorio De Sica is the director of After the Fox (1966).It is the first screenplay of the great Neil Simon.Peter Sellers is the only man I could picture for the lead.He makes the movie better than it would be without him.He and Victor Mature as the aging movie star Tony Powell.That man is so full of himself it makes you laugh.Others do good job, too.The always good Martin Balsam plays Tony's agent Harry.Britt Ekland is Gina.Tamiroff plays Okra.Maria Grazia Buccella is Okra's voluptuous and sensual accomplice.Lando Buzzanca does the part of Police Chief.Burt Bacharach and Hal David are behind the music.Peter Sellers and The Hollies sing the title song that's pretty catchy.Watch this comedy that may not be the best 60's has to offer but still pretty darn good..
Sellers has to introduce Tamiroff (named "Mr. Okra") to Mature, Balsam, Britt Eckland, and the others on the film set.
Like the original "Ocean's Eleven" which was basically made because Sinatra and the "rat pack" were available in Las Vegas on particular dates, this film feels basically like an extended Italian vacation for Peter Sellers, his then-wife Britt Ekland, and graying American movie star Victor Mature (who essentially makes fun of himself in the film).
There's very little of consequence in the film, and it's all very predictable plot-wise, but Sellers manages to salvage more than one scene with his zany improvisations on Neil Simon's funny story.Sellers plays an Italian criminal mastermind who frees himself from prison and sets about importing stolen Egyptian gold by impersonating a new-wave movie director.
Peter Sellers plays 'Aldo Vanucci', Italy's top criminal mastermind - known as 'The Fox' - and also a master of disguise.
He decides to trick the townspeople of Sevalio into thinking they are taking part in a movie, and to this end manages to secure the services of fading Hollywood matinée idol 'Tony Powell' ( Victor Mature )...At times, 'Fox' feels like an Italian version of one of Sellers' earlier British comedies, such as 'Two Way Stretch' and 'The Wrong Arm Of The Law'.
As 'Vanucci', Sellers is okay, but its when he gets to impersonate eccentric director 'Frederico Fabrizi' ( pointing to his head, he says to Tony: "In here is my script!" ) that the film really starts to becomes funny, with some amusing jibes at the expense of the neo-realism school of cinema ( of which De Sica was a leading exponent ).
Giving Sellers competition in the comedy department is Mature, with a highly amusing self parody as a film star who refuses to admit he is over the hill.
Both a Peter Sellers crime caper comedy and a De Sica parody of Italian film.
This movie is two good things at the same timefirst, it's a Peter Sellers comedy, which is wonderful enough in itself.
The story is by Neil Simon, the star turn is by Peter Sellers, but the parody is pure de Sica.
Whilst Hollywood has seemed to have had trouble,trying to make Christmas/New Years Day "event films" in a post-Lord of the Rings era (with the main exceptions being 2005s double bill of event films,with the first Narnia film,and King Kong fighting it out, lion v ape,and last years world conquering return of James Cameron,after thirteen years,with the sci-fi adventure epic Avatar.)In the meantime,Bollywood has been turning the end of the year "event film",into a unstoppable juggernaut,with such films as the Mermento-inspired ultra-violence revenge thriller in Gujini,a gathering of (almost) every living Bollywood legend,in the fun reincarnation film Om Shanti Om,and a shockingly stunning mix of extremely strong writing,good casting,and an amazingly fast paced feel (even at a running time of over two and a half hours) with 2009s 3 Idiots.Sadly,this great run got stopped in 2010.with the comedy "event" film Tees Maar Khan,whose characters were just that little bit too annoying for most audience members to be entertained by.When I started reading up about Tees Maar a few weeks before its release,and I found out that the movie wad going to be a remake of a film called After the Fox.Since I have enjoyed watching some of the other great films that Neil Simon has wrote,and having always been entertained by some of the film and radio work that Peter Sellers has done,I was very intrigued to see what type of film would be made,with both of them working together..The plot:As news of a $3 million robbery of gold bars, reaches the ears of the (jailed) worlds best criminal Aldo "the Fox" Vanucci,He decides to tell the wardens that he is going to break out of the prison at 3pm!.With having stolen someones identity,Vanucci escapes the jail right under everybody's nose.When he returns to his old home,he finds the person who has set up the robbery,who needs help to bring the gold into the country.Although both men are able to work out a deal (with Aldo getting 50% of the gold)Vanucci also has to deal with the trouble of his sister giving up school,so that she can become an actress.Luckaly for The Fox,when he is getting chased by some officers who want him for the prison escape,he hides at a film premiere.Suddenly,a light bulb goes off in Aldos head,that if he pretends that he is a film director,making a film in a small town,he will be able to use all the local people and police offices to unwittingly help him transfer the gold!.Although,when he starts to make the film,The Fox realises that keeping his patients with the cast & crew might be even tougher then importing the gold...View on the film:Though the screenplay is not as strong as some of his later films,such as the excellent movie The Odd Couple,the first screenplay by Neil Simons is still filled with a good amount of fun material.With,parts of the film (such as the scenes where The Fox is trying to get a faded Hollywood actor to star in his "avant-garde film.")showing some great signs of some of his future work.Whilst I was watching the film,one of the main scenes that instantly stuck out to me,was a scene where Aldo talks to the gold smuggle through the middle (wo)man,which I instantly recognised as something that was copied for the third Austin Powers film,although I think that Simons version of the joke is a lot stronger.For the avant-garde false- film shooting,director Vittorio De Sica,impressively always makes it that the audience is laughing with the characters and there avant-garde film,and not at them,with De Sica making sure that the film does not turn into a totally bitter satire about the film industry.For the cast,I feel that whilst Peter Sellers gives a very good performance,of an oddly slightly centre character,the clear stand out is Victor Mature as the fading Hollywood star Tony.Mature impressively being far ahead of the self-mocking former major actors of the classic Larry Sanders Show,with his great grizzled performance, showing a very pleasing amount of surprising sincerity.Final view on the film:A fun- filled,slightly wacky film,with good performances,a well-written screenplay and extremely engaging directing form Vittorio De Sica.
Even the films hilarious penultimate scene hammers movie critics unmercifully.Sellers was brilliant and as many have repeated, Victor Mature was brilliant as well as a good sport for taking on a role which made fun of his own persona.
I would have to rate this film as "almost" one of Peter Sellers' best movies...why "almost"?
An enjoyable farce with The Fox. This Italian-made comedy has Peter Sellers in the role of a master crook of many disguises.
Several other good small roles add to this fine comedy.Maria Grazia Buccella plays Okra's sister, but The Fox doesn't know it at the time and he's attracted to her on their first meeting.
I can only imagine that the cast, film crew and all the people of that village must have had a fun time making this movie there.