Newley's masterpiece and Tanner's acclaimed performance
Did you know that Anthony Newley never sold the film rights to Stop The World...? The studio's promotion notwithstanding, this Warner Brothers release (and the two additional versions that followed, with Sammy Davis, Jr. and Peter Scolari, respectively) are filmed records of the show in performance on stage. Newley was, in fact, so protective of this show and so concerned with the idea that it might fail to earn it's place in the musical theatre canon because of mishandling or misrepresentation that he twice refused to appear in filmed versions of the show. After the New York critics raved about him as an actor/writer (rather than writer/actor?) he obsessed that the show would be shrugged off as a star vehicle, useless without him. (Likewise, his followup show "Roar of the Greasepaint..." starred Norman Wisdom until producer David Merrick refused to present it without Newley in the lead!) For the first (and only good) "film" Newley endorsed his London replacement Tony Tanner, who had turned this show and role into something of a personal triumph when Newley left for Broadway. Any reservations you may feel about coughing up $20 for a non-Newley "Stop The World" will be found unwarranted when you see Tanner's brilliant star turn. Wry and cynical, by turns put-upon and smug, Tanner breathes glorious life into one of the most alarmingly ambiguous musical roles ever written. Dripping with adroit charm, yet roundly dislikable, Tanner is a marvel to behold.

Stop The World, Please
I was disappointed with this release. I was looking for a 1996 version that starred Peter Scolari and Stephanie Zimbalist. Saw it on t.v. once and loved it, but, can't find a copy anywhere.

GREAT. The more you see it the better it becomes
I saw this in the theatres about 10 times before it ever came out on video. Since I now have the video, I have seen it at least 50 times and it gets better each time. This is the type of show you must see about three times before it becomes great. Each time you see it, something new seems to show up. Would not recommend it to anyone under 16. Try it, you'll love it. It makes you think and use your brain.