VHS : Carry On Follow That Camel [1967]

Rating: - unsettling in places
everyone knows that phil silvers of sgt.bilko fame got the role as sid james was too ill to do this 1967 movie,the producer thought that a big name could fill the void,it couldnt,plus they feed silvers ego by letting him perform some of his own material and staring straight down the camera one time too often,as if he is trying to bond with the audience.However in saying that carry on camel is still a good movie featuring kenny williams,angie ouglas,bernie bresslaw,peter butterworth,joan sims,and jim dale and this film deals with the french foreign legion from the training to the moment of battle,filmed in a beach in england,brighton i think,the film still looks as if it is filmed abroad,the film is witty in what it does but some leading members play second fiddle to silvers,i suppose on a global scale he was the bigger star but this is carry on and we love who we love ,simple as that really,this is a three star film in my opinion and of course that means you should still find a spot for it in your collection.

---

Rating: - A little disappointing
Carry On Follow That Camel (1967) lacks the pace and sparkle of some of the Carry On's other historical epics which is surprising as it was always the period comedies where the team scored best. The fact that Sid James, Barbara Windsor and Hattie Jaques are missing may have something to do with it. As a substitute for the absence of Sid James, the team brought in American comedian Phil Silvers who enjoyed success with his self-titled television show in the 1960's. Basically Silvers reprises his role as Sergeant Bilko in this entry (his only Carry On) and it doesn't quite blend in so well with the rest of the teams characterisations although there are some laughs to be along the way.
After being accused of cheating in a cricket match, Bertram Oliphant (Jim Dale in a familiar characterisation) gives up his fiancee (Angela Douglas) and with his bumbling butler Simpson in tow (Peter Butterworth) joins the Foreign Legion. The Fort he ends up in, which is run by Sergeant Knocker (Phil Silvers) soon comes under seige from Seeikh Abdul Abulbul (played brilliantly by Bernard Bresslaw who relishes every manically evil moment).
The desert scenes are vastly impressive and other regulars of the cast such as Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey and Joan Sims (who is shamefully underused in this one though still puts inan effective performance as the sultry and exotic Zigzig) but the feel-good factor of most of the Carry On films is evidently missing here. Though there are some laughs to be endured the film can best be described as just enjoyably average overall.

---

Rating: - Not the best in the series...
Whilst this carry on is not the best in the series it is certainly a good film,indeed, i would heartily recommend any carry on film (yes, even emannuelle and columbus!). Most of the regulars are in it, kenny williams, charly hawtry, jim dale, joan sims, peter butterworth, berny breslaw and an addition to the cast in the form of Phil silvers (this was in an effort to appeal more to american audiences). Most notable by their absence are sid james and of course kenny williams who took a break from films in the mid to late 60's to do stage work. Although those two are missing, and I dont feel phil silvers fits neatly into the carry on style of doing things, the film still delivers. there are funny moments in the film. If you want to buy a carry on film, then buy camping, kyber, abroad or cleo I would recommend them first, but if you dont want them, then this is as good as any other carry on. I would recommend this to buy, but not as highly as those others mentioned

---

Rating: - High point Carry On with a particulaly classy Bresslaw
Set in a boiling desert, The French Foriegn Leigon headed by Commadant Burger (Kenneth Williams) and Captain Le Pice (Charles Hawtrey) and based in Fort Soixante-Neuf!!! With an Aristocrat Cricketer BO West (Jim Dale) makes this film a highlight of the series brimming with innuendo and style particulaly from Kenny, Charlie, Peter Butterworth and Joan Sims in a particulaly memorable Carry On role as Zig-Zig! Perhaps the best performance however is Bernard Bresslaw in a truly menacing desert Sheikh. The film is a must-see Carry On. The only mistake is putting Phil Silvers in Sid James well earned place.