The film opened to positive reviews and gave Sellers a hit after many of his previous films outside of the "Pink Panther" series had flopped. Film critic Roger Ebert awarded a full grade of 4 out of 4 stars in his original print review. Gene Siskel also gave the film a perfect grade of 4 stars, calling it "one of those rare films, a work of such electric comedy that you are more likely to watch it in amazement than to break down and laugh." Janet Maslin of "The New York Times" called the film "a stately, beautifully acted satire with a premise that's funny but fragile."