So much average

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

When I read my TV Times on a Tuesday afternoon in early 1971 and saw this film was scheduled for a screening I squeeled with laughter and exquisite anticipation at its title: I imagined a film about bowel movements and envisioned an existentialist scenario a la Truffaut, Fellini or Bunuel: a gentleman suffering from severe constipation (as did I before discovering Vindaloo; chilli; onions; red wine and Stella Artois) unable to follow through embarks upon a journey featuring potential dump scenarios always to be frustrated until the final scene when his problem is relieved allowing a Forrest Gump of the largest size imaginable - hence The Big Job. In reality, the film differs from my fantasy whilst being just as preposterous whilst not becoming a pile of Tom Tit: Carry On stalwarts Sid James, Joan Sims and Jim Dale interact well with non Carry - Onners Sylvia Syms, Dick Emery, Lance Percival and Deryck Guyler. For me, the star of the show is Egon Ronay's gorgeous daughter Edina as the daughter of widowed landlady Joan Sims. These two would be teamed up alongside Sid and Jim the following year in Carry On Cowboy.What we actually get here is the oldest story in the book: the robbery gone wrong. On the plus side at least the crooks don't end end betraying each other. Along the way we see amusing social commentary about the prevalence of "New Towns"; a charming homage to The Great Escape with the soil from the tunnel disposal episode.

Totally agree with all other reviewers of this brilliant film that it's a Carry On film in everything but name. Made between the filming of Carry On Cleo and Cowboy and starring the usual batch of actors at the time there's probably 2 reasons why this wasn't given the 'Carry On' title - 1 it's in black and white, the carry on series had by now already moved and would stay in colour and 2 - what could it have been called? Carry on Criminal/ Thieving/ Stealing all send out a message that crime is fun so are probably unsuitable, 'Carry on the Big Job' doesn't really work so maybe that's why it's not included in the series proper but let's face it this IS pure Carry On and a fantastic addition to the films the team were making at the time and easily the funniest non Carry On title made by Gerald Thomas and Peter Rogers. I have all the carry on films (and this on DVD) and every year or so I watch them in order and I always include this between Cleo and Cowboy, as far as I'm concerned there were 32 Carry On films - Don't Lose Your Head and Follow That Camel were quickly re-released with the Carry On prefix - although that was just because of a change of distributer, it's a shame this wasn't added because it sits perfectly into the series. Chances are everyone involved treated this as a continuation of the series anyway. A very funny film.

This film is made in the great tradition that is `Carry On`. The music shouts Carry On, as do the actors. maybe the movie could have been subtitled `Carry on Nicking`. Sid James as the centre for this production shows the Blueprint for his many performances as what was basically the same character throughout the Carry On series of movies whether it be Henry VIII or Sidney Bliss.

This film about the antics of a group of inept bank robbers is British comedy at its finest. It's Carry-on in everything but name, with regulars such as Sid, Jim Dale and Joan Sims.There are some wonderful performances, but for my money it's Dick Emery who steals the show. I love the part where himself and Sid James have messed up again and are questioned by Jim Dale (the constable) about their antics the previous night. Dick, convinced they've been nobbled, turns to Sid and says "Did you see the look he gave us?It was loaded with handcuffs!"Priceless.This is what REAL comedy is all about and I'm eternally grateful to messrs Thomas,Rothwell and Rogers for providing us with moments like these we can cherish forever.