Celebrating twenty years of classic Carry On films, two of the films’ best-loved stars, Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor return to Pinewood film studios to unwrap some rib-tickling moments from the series. From the original, military mayhem of Carry On Sergeant, through to the really ancient archaeological gags of Carry On Behind, our saucy hosts get their titters out for this laugh-a-second gallop through the most successful series of British comedy films ever made.
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Reviews
Save your money for something good and enjoyable
It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.
Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.
It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.
Originally released in 1977 as B movie support to the Richard Harris film Golden Rendezvous, That's Carry On! is basically a compilation picture produced to make money for the then dwindling franchise of a much beloved series of films. The year previously had seen the risible Carry On England released, and the final nail in the coffin would come a year later in 78 with Carry On Emanuelle. Fighting different smutty cinema conventions like the "Confessions Of" run of films starring Robin Askwith, the Carry On formula was out of step and certainly now out of time with a changing British landscape. Sadly this meant that this compilation picture only serves to remind us of what was once great about the series, with the inevitable complaints about it not using certain clips proving to be loud from a disappointed and committed fan base. It's weird that in a film that runs over an hour and half in length, there still wasn't enough time to insert enough clips to provide relief for many Carry On acolytes!The premise is wrapped around a scenario that sees Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor holed up in a projection booth. They swap weak innuendos whilst running through clips of the series. Kenny gives it a good go, as he always did, and Babs wears a tight top that showcases her assets that so dearly cheered the horny hounds in the Carry On crowds. Windsor's casting is understandable, but that doesn't necessarily make it a correct one. Where Williams was the stalwart who had up to then made 24 Carry On movies, Windsor had made 8. Joan Simms had done 23 by this time and Hattie Jacques 14, now they may not have been available? But really you feel that one of the older female guard should be there for this overview; as shallow as it ultimately is. The DVD finds its way into box sets and occasionally the film shows as a time filler in the early hours of the morning on British television, but it's far from essential viewing; either for fans or interested newcomers. It remains the lazy cash cow that it is, viewing it only makes us hanker still further for the times when Carry On really was a fun and vibrant British institution. 5/10
This is not a documentary but a compilation of some of the best gags from the long running Carry On movie series. Introduced by Carry On veterans Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor, it takes you through what was then 28 films in the series. This is a fairly good way to get an idea of what the movies were, the slapstick, the double entendres, the silliness and sometimes crudeness, but like all compilations its missing some personal favorites. Its hard for you to go wrong to choose a film that had Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, Barbara Windsor and Charles Hawtrey in it, they are pretty much the best. I've not seen every Carry On film yet, but this is a good primer. Carry On!
This is rather a lackluster "Best Of" compilation overall; it takes a more-or-less chronological look at the series but then omits entirely the most recent effort up to that time i.e. CARRY ON ENGLAND (1976)! Linking material features stalwarts Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor mugging and witlessly chatting; however, no real discussion is made on how the series evolved to begin with or, for that matter, any background given on individual performers.Some of the series highlights are seen, to be sure and Williams does single out his role in CARRY ON...UP THE KHYBER (1968; scenes from which open and close this film) as being his personal favorite but, watched out of context, they just don't have the desired effect (even if several of them came from entries I viewed only recently)!
This remains the best compilation film to date. All the films except England (as this had just been released),Emmannuelle and Columbus (neither made yet) are here. However the best bits are the linking materials by Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor, especially KW's end speech- even though it is RUDELY interrupted by the credits. A MUST for any fan/interested party- Carry On Laughing/What A Carry On/Laugh With The Carry Ons (All compilation series) pale in comparison.