A festive group of Carry On sketches (Carry on Christmas (DVD))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Carry on Christmas (DVD)
Date:	22/05/09 (21 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Classic Carry On comedy

Disadvantages: Not a lot

Carry On Christmas was a series of four-part Christmas specials that were filmed from 1969 to 1973. They were filmed as sitcoms, with a live audience and giving the impressions that it's more a stage performance, like a panto, almost, particularly with it being a Christmas event.

Carry On Christmas is the only one of the four to feature a modern setting, with the show opening as Sid James plays a Santa in a department store, as the main setting, with various historical scenes intermingling with it, including Robin Hood, the trenches of World War I, Victorian times, and in prehistoric times as well. All the usual Carry On tongue in cheek and innuendo is present, with Barbara Windsor wearing low cut tops leading to plays on words about her cleavage at each turn.

Familiar Carry On stars such as Bernard Bresslaw, Kenneth Connor, Peter Butterworth and Joan Sims also play large parts in each sketch, and it was really nice to be able to watch a bit of classic comedy. The sort of jokes made would likely be frowned upon now, and there is certainly nothing politically correct about any of it. However, this is more a refreshing thing rather than something to frown upon. These days, people are too easily offended by the littlest thing, and watching something like this reminds us what comedy should still be like.

The sketches are very well written, but it is more the delivery from the established comedy Carry On cast that makes it an enjoyable watch. The DVD came free with a Sunday newspaper, and there are no extras whatsoever. Indeed, the whole programme is a mere 50 minutes or so long. However, it was really enjoyable to watch. I wish it had been longer, but I liked the way that the department store setting served as the main part, and the other sketches were introduced off the back of this recurring element. We could do with more things like this sticking around for longer. A resurgence of the Carry On feeling hasn't been successful, although they are planning a revival in the not so distant future. Hopefully, it can capture some of the magic that was present in this DVD. I recommend watching it if you get the chance. It's quite tricky to get on DVD, but can go for next to nothing if you find a copy.

Summary: The fourth Carry On Christmas sitcom