O Grande Cérebro

This is of those films that is so good, it doesn't really matter that it's in black and white.

It's a quintessential farce, but it's absolutely hilarious, and so well done. A team of bank robbers hide the loot before they are caught and do their time. Lo and behold, when they get out, they find a police station built around the hiding place.

Even the denouement fails to be an anticlimax.

It's a rare opportunity to see some of the comedic leads play their role dead pan, which only heightens the comedy. It also includes Sylvia Sims, a normally serious actor, hilariously excelling herself.

It would be a leading candidate for the perfect comedy film. Don't miss it!

A group of criminals led by George Brain (known to himself as `The Great Brain') plan to rob a bank. Although the job doesn't go totally to plan, they do get away with £15K. However the police catch them as they make their get away and George is forced to stash the money in a hollow tree. For refusing to say where the money is the group get 15 years each in prison but vow to escape. 15 years later they are released and immediately go to find the tree – but find that a new town has sprung up where once there was fields. Happily the tree is still standing – unfortunately it is now standing in the back yard of a police station. The gang take up rooms in a B&B across the street to plan their next move.

Although I doubt I will ever prove it, I maintain that this film must have been a source of inspiration for the film Blue Streak. The set up is identical although the follow through is different. Regardless of this, The Big Job is an enjoyable film with plenty of Carry On style humour (although not part of the series proper). The plot is good and has a few nice touches towards the end. Although the comedy stays away from the bawdy antics of later Carry On features, it does have a gentle line in innuendo. My favourite lines involve one of the characters talking about animals that odd names – such as a lengthy discussion on the rarity of the bird the `Little Bustard' – had me laughing! The slap stick of the piece is also done well and there are some nice set pieces – although some are a little obvious.

The cast are good and work well together with so many Carry On faces. Sid James is good value and uses his facial expressions well (albeit without the trademark laugh). A young Emery is funny and Percival is quite enjoyable. The best members of the cast are those who have smaller inputs which are usually funny. Dale is amusing as the cop but Guyler (who has but 3 scenes) is good value for money. Joan Sims is funny playing a slightly amorous widow! Edina Ronay plays her daughter and, at only 20 at the time, is very, very sexy – and made even more so by the fact that she really plays that side of her character up!

Overall this is an enjoyable film that will appeal to anyone who watches the Carry On films there were made around the same period. It has a good plot, some nice sequences and plenty of good lines or characterisations. You won't be roaring with laughter but it is amusing and funny enough to justify watching.

Produced by the team behind the 'Carry On' films and starring many regulars, 'The Big Job' has often been cited as unofficial entry in the series, but the set-up is much more of the Ealing variety. 'The Ladykillers' and 'The Lavender Hill Mob' form the template as a gang of criminals rent a room under false pretences, claiming to be birdwatchers when they are really interested in a nearby tree where they stashed some loot before serving time; whilst behind bars though, a police station has been built around the tree! The film chiefly derives laughs from the gang's failed attempts to rescue the money and the utter oblivion of the police force. This is an uneasy combination (the plot hinges on neither side possessing common sense) but there are many hilarious moments as all cast members are in fine form. Half a decade before his 'Please, Sir' days, Deryck Guyler is especially funny as the stuffy lead police sergeant, and Sid James, Joan Sims and Dick Emery as expectedly great. Sylvia Sims has a bit of thankless role as Sid's girlfriend, and the film as its weakest when focused on their marriage of a convenience (as well as a latter similar marriage) but for the most part, the irony of the basic set-up thankfully remains in focus. This is where the film succeeds best with an interesting message in terms of crime never paying (the ultimate fate of the money is a great twist too). Those expecting something as clever as 'The Lavender Hill Mob' or 'Carry On Camping' might be disappointed, but 'The Big Job' is a fairly solid film on its own terms, some incredulous silliness aside.

Very much like the carry on movies with some well-known characters plus their usual antics. They were up to the task and for viewers it was a nice blast from the past. Thrills galore and this one gets a star rating of 6 in the mix.

This film is made in the great tradition that is `Carry On`. The music shouts Carry On, as do the actors. maybe the movie could have been subtitled `Carry on Nicking`. Sid James as the centre for this production shows the Blueprint for his many performances as what was basically the same character throughout the Carry On series of movies whether it be Henry VIII or Sidney Bliss.