Carry on England [DVD] [1976]

Actually Surprisingly very Good, contrary to most opinions regarding this particular film. Windsor Davies and Kenneth Connor provide a very good duo, complemented by supporting cast.

Every blue moon (or leap year) I give this movie another go - it's a Carry On film after all!..... And after a couple of jars to get me in the right frame of mind I sat down to watch it at a friend's house. I thought that maybe this time something would finally click, I would at last see the 'light'.....same old story I'm afraid!

It's a flat viewing experience, most of the cast appear uninterested (who can blame them). It's like watching a bird with clipped wings flapping around, trying to get off the ground, the poor thing never stood a chance. In retrospect, the cracks in the series were beginning to appear in the previous 'Carry On Behind', and the wheels finally came off in this chuckle-free zone. It's hard to believe that only 4 years separate this 1976 offering from the cheerful warmth of 'Carry On Matron'.

The story is set in 1940, with the introduction of an experimental mixed-sex air defence base, where surprise, surprise, the recruits are more interested in a bit of hanky-panky than defending the nation. Those responsible for the dog-end of a script should have been horsewhipped. It's pretty obvious that the writers had no understanding of the ethos of the series, or what constituted a typical Carry On production. The usual cheerful blend of saucy double-entendres and corny but amusing gags have regrettably been replaced with juvenile smut and inappropriate nudity.

Some bemoan the absence of so many Carry On regulars, but even the great Kenneth Williams would have struggled to salvage anything from this lamentable affair. Despite this, a decent roll call of performers (who deserved better) were signed up to appear, which begs the question: why did the cast allow such a dubious entry into their C.V.'s?. The characters are shallow and uninteresting, the mostly feeble dialogue is often delivered in a raucous manner, while the misfiring gags are mostly blanks. As for the cast, only Windsor Davies emerges relatively unscathed, thanks to an energetic performance (straight out of 'It Aint Half Hot Mum'). Kenneth Connor battles bravely but has little opportunity to shine, the legendary Joan Sims is barely allowed a look in. Patrick Mower and Judy Geeson are miscast like the proverbial fish out of water, and one-trick pony Jack Douglas treats us to another round of his irritating blink/twitch gymnastics (yawn).

'Funniest' moments of the movie?....the 'ball-squeezer' gag, and the scene in which Kenneth Connor swallows a uniform button propelled at high velocity by Diane Langton's expanding bosom - says it all really doesn't it!
When recalling the Carry On's at their best, I find it rather sad to see a great British institution sinking to such a regrettable low.....That's it, I'm finished, I will never EVER watch this dismal 'comedy' again. Up next we have 'Carry On Emmanuelle', surely things can't get any worse..........can they?

The picture quality on this Carlton release is OK, which when considering some of the classic movies still awaiting a decent release, this limp affair should feel flattered.

One of the least well known of the 'Carry On' films, the Director's cut of 'Carry On England' has much to commend it. The set up of a mixed battery of men and women soldiers and a new Commanding Officer who comes in to whip them into shape is well explored. Its main fault is a lack of recognizable 'Carry On' faces in the cast. The newer cast members such as Larry Dann and Melvyn Hayes just don't evoke the same kind of affection as the old regulars. However Kenneth Connor seizes his first starring role with real vigour and develops a strong double act with Windsor Davies.
With the success of the films declining the filmmakers decided to increase the nudity but this just adds a layer of crudity that further erodes our affection for the series and is probably a reason why the film has rarely been screened on TV.
Once again however the DVD produced by Carlton is excellent. There is a fascinating and amusing commentary on the film by Patrick Mower and instead of an episode of the painfully weak 'Carry On Laughing' series there is a copy of the censers version of the film with some substituted scenes and editing of the nudity. Its very interesting to compare and contrast this version with the Directors cut.
Buy it and you'll be surprised how well it stands up and how much you enjoy it.
Definately a series in terminal decline but nowhere near the nadir that was to come with the pitiful 'Carry On Emmanelle'.