An Egyptian Farce (Carry On Cleo (DVD))

Member Name: eiley123

Product:	Carry On Cleo (DVD)
Date:	24/12/07 (34 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny, good characters and performances, family friendly

Disadvantages: Old hat to some

Carry on Cleo is one of the 29 comedy films of the British series of low budget films which were made between 1958 and 1978. This offering was released in 1964, was the eighth one made and is one of my favourites. It was made in full colour at Pinewood Studios, England, and utilised some of the set of the epic Cleopatra film which starred Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

As usual the cast has some of the regular cast from the Carry on Films. Sid James plays a rather middle aged and wrinkly Mark Anthony and Kenneth Williams a very camp Julius Caesar or Julie as he is known to friends. The female lead of Cleopatra is played by Amanda Barrie who will be known by some younger readers as a regular in Coronation Street, a little while ago. Representing the British, who were still in caves at the time according to this film, we have Kenneth Connor as a weak knee-ed rather stupid inventor called Hengist Pod, who has been experimenting with square wheels, and Jim Dale as the brave hero Horsa.

On a wet and windy conquering trip to England the Romans capture Horsa and Hengist along with other scruffy Brits. The sequence of events sees a strange mish mash of historical events and a reversal of roles for two of the characters. There are, by the way, some good characters in this film and some funny scenes. I was surprised to read that this film's famous funny line, which is also one of my favourites, was actually from a comedy radio show Take It From Here. For those who have not seen the film it is Julius Caesar shouting 'Infamy, Infamy, they've all got it in for me'

The characters names are a mixture of real ones from History and the usual ones which are full of innuendos. For example Sheila Hancock plays Hengist Pod's harridan of a wife who is called Senna. Then there is the guy selling the slaves who is called Spencius and is one half of a firm called Marks and Spencius. As you can see there are many of the usual childish puns but they are fun. Carry on Cleo has a plot which very loosely follows some of History and is padded out with the usual nonsense.

Is Carry On Cleo Recommended?

Yes I always enjoy this film and I have seen it plenty of times. It has the usual elements of farce and pantomime but is somewhat of a classic, I feel. It has the vestal virgins as the young and busty female attraction but without becoming too crude and cringe worthy for example.

When Carry on Cleo was made there were epics such as Cleopatra and Ben Hur showing at the cinemas and so this spoof was very much of the time. However perhaps because it is set in the distant past it has not dated quite so badly as some of the other Carry On films. Overall this film should appeal to avid Carry On Film fans and those looking for traditional British humour which is silly and easy to watch.

The screenplay is by Talbot Rothwell but the story is credited to William Shakespeare.
As usual it is directed by Gerald Thomas.
The Cast includes:-
Sid James .....Mark Anthony
Kenneth Williams ... Julius Caesar
Amanda Barrie .... Cleopatra
Charles Hawtrey .... Seneca
Kenneth Connor .... Hengist Pod
Joan Sims .... Calpurnia
Jim Dale ... Horsa
Victor Maddern .... Soldier
Julie Stevens ..... Gloria
Sheila Hancock ..... Senna Pod
John Pert wee ... The Soothsayer
Warren Mitchell .... Spencius
Tom Clegg ... Sosages
Peter Gilmore .... Galley Master
And many more ....
Produced by Peter Rogers
Music by Eric Rogers

Thanks for reading
Copyright Eiley 2007

Summary: A good spoof