Carry On... Up the Khyber

This film defines British comedy. The jokes, puns, and characters are all classic carry on. I'd say this is the best of the series, and atcually the most accomplished plot-wise. The 'dining room attack' scene, I think, is one of the best moments in film history, and should be seen. Highly recommended.

'Carry On Up The Khyber' sees many of the usual Carry On favourites, this time in colonial India. Sid James plays Sir Sidney Ruff Diamond, head of the Third Foot and Mouth regiment located close to the Khyber Pass, whilst Kenneth Williams takes on the role of the Khasi of Kalabar, who is beginning to believe that the British might not be as invincible as previously thought.

'Carry On Up The Khyber' is a welcome change for the series as it is one of the few that's not based in the UK, but that's the only change you'll get because this film is laden with the usual Carry On double entendres and gags.

For many years, this wasn't one of my favourite Carry Ons but I've realised that it's actually one of the best. It largely benefits from being able to ridicule two cultures, namely British and Indian, and because it's set in colonial times, it allows Peter Rogers to successfully satirize the old fashioned Victorian attitudes as well as the more pertinent attitudes of the late 1960s when this was filmed.

There's no way a film like this would be made today but the humour is actually quite harmless, even endearing at times, and there are some clever one-liners too. It's a fallacy that Carry Ons were purely unintelligent, bawdy humour aimed at the brainless masses.

The amount of dryness in Up The Khyber is enough to give a man a thirst but it works particularly well. Excellent performances all round, particularly Sid James and Joan Sims, who bounce of each other so well, and Terry Scott, who was born to play Sergeant Major McNutt. Roy Castle too. I'm surprised he wasn't in more of the films.

Definitely worth a watch, whether you're new to the series or whether you've got them all on video.

There was a small dealer here in Brazil that offered us a lot of British movies, but hereInafter didn't hear a thing about them unfortunately due sales declines so much in those hard economics past years, one of them of the valuable series Carry on where are fully exploitation of British humor style, it's seems silly at first look but certainly it isn't, there are a faithful copy of custumary and legendary British nonsense, their usual accent puts a hot peppery over so peculiar behaviors from them, this priceless comedy remind us from latest Monty Phyton's pictures, they slagging of themselves, unmissable!!!

Resume:

First watch: 2012 / How many: 2 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.25

Probably the best of the Carry-Ons. Genuinely funny performances from all the actors and a classic script.

Watch Carry on up the Khyber and then watch Zulu. Two films about the British made in the 1960's both of them perfect in their own way.

1895. The British colonisation of Indian continues despite the threat posed by the Khasi of Kalabar and his loyal army of Burpers. Rebellion seems imminent when it is discovered that the feared 3rd Foot in Mouth Regiment (The Devils in Skirts) actually wear underwear under their kilts. When the Khasi receives proof of this he starts an uprising among Bungdit Din's Burgers against the British forces under Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond. However Captain Keene leads a small group of men deep into Indian in an attempt to stop the approaching massacre.

If you hate the Carry On films with a passion then chances are you will hate this one as well. However for fans or those who enjoy the sense of humour when it works, then it is likely that you will love this film as it is one of the best of the series. The plot is very un-PC by today's standards (imagine having so many white actors playing Indians today?) but this isn't really important here. The plot is actually quite well developed for a carry on film and acts as a suitable framework for the jokes, allowing it to feel like a film rather than just a series of sketches and innuendo held together by the thinnest of threads.

The plot certainly helps but it is the strength of the script that makes this such an enjoyable film (if you can call a script full of innuendo `strong'). The film has so many really enjoyable lines that it is impossible to list them all; of course, if you don't like their breed of innuendo then you shan't like this but I do and this is as good and as honed as they got it. Lines such as `rank stupidity', `Fakir. Off', `and up yours' and `I wouldn't trust him an inch' are all well scripted and display a higher class of innuendo (if you know what I mean): even character names are good if not subtle; Ginger Hale, Bungdit Din, Jelhi, Busti and Khasi to name a few. It helps of course that the cast are so talented at this type of comedy and deliver their lines with perfect timing and perfect facial expressions and reactions. James and Williams lead the cast and are easily the best two in the whole film - they have the best lines, the best reactions and the best timing. The rest of the Carry On regulars are all very assured and delivered the material with the ability of pro's; Hawtrey, Scott, Sims, Bresslaw, Butterworth and Douglas are all very good and it is true that this is almost a who's who of British comedy of the time. Roy Castle is good but he is very much a straightman in the piece.

Overall, this is the film that those new to the Carry On series should seek out as it is one of the films where they had the best material (plot and script) as well as a full cast of very talented British comedians. It is still based on innuendo and silly gags but it is funny and enjoyable.