The Optimists of Nine Elms

The Optimists
Theatrical Release Poster
Directed byAnthony Simmons
Written byAnthony Simmons
Tudor Gates
Produced byAdrian Gaye
Victor Lyndon
StarringPeter Sellers
CinematographyLarry Pizer
Edited byJohn Jympson
Music byLionel Bart
George Martin
Production
companies
Sagittarius Productions
Cheetah Productions
West One Film Producers
Distributed byScotia-Barber
(United Kingdom)
Paramount Pictures
(United States)
Release date
  • 18 October 1973 (1973-10-18)
Running time
110 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Optimists of Nine Elms, also known as The Optimists, is a 1973 British drama film starring Peter Sellers and directed by Anthony Simmons, who also wrote the 1964 novel upon which the film is based. The film is about an old street musician (played by Sellers) who strikes up a friendship with two children - Liz, played by Donna Mullane, and her younger brother Mark, played by John Chaffey. Neither of the child actors was featured in future films. A young Keith Chegwin also played a small role.

Mullane was recruited for her role by the film crew when they were scouting locations and saw her as she was walking home from school.