When a group of sailors get shore leave, they have only one thing on their minds: women! But in the restrained 1700s, they don't have many options. They can either seek out prostitutes, don elaborate disguises to gain entry to respectable ladies' bedchambers, or attack random women in the street. The latter option proves problematic when the women shout, "Rape!" and they have to explain themselves before a magistrate. Keep in mind this is an over-the-top British comedy and there are no actual rapes.
With hilarious character names like Clumsey, Squeezum, Foppington, Eager, and Lusty, if you're laughing during the first five minutes' introduction, you'll like the rest of the movie. It feels like everyone in the cast had a blast hamming up their naughty jokes and melodramas. Glynis Johns and her husband Peter Bayliss take turns seducing the accused and accuser in each rape trial. Peter "questions" the young lady in his office, while Glynis sees if she can "get anything out of" the amorous young man. Christopher Plummer is all dolled up in his "foppiest" attire, and he flounces around the screen personifying the stereotype of, "no s** please, I'm British." Ian Bannen sneaks into his paramour's room and announces he's going to make love to her. "What do you mean?" she asks, feigning shock and modesty. "What do you think I mean?" he replies with a smirk as he sheds his coat.
I'll watch anything to support the cast of the beloved Carry On series, so it was a treat to see Jim Dale in another raunchy British comedy. He and others often break the fourth wall and make jokes with the audience. Susannah York, Kathleen Harrison, Roy Kinnear, Fenella Fielding, and Roy Dotrice are also among the supporting cast. If you liked Tom Jones or the Carry On movies, rent this very funny movie that is extremely politically incorrect by today's standards.
