White Cargo

Sir David is unlikely to thank if you mention this reminder of his wilderness years between 'Do Not Adjust Your Set' and his guest role in 'Porridge', but this silly little farce provides him with a showy part in an actual movie. It also provides a poignant reminder of the lovely but ill-fated Imogen Hassell; it's one major liability being the dreadful music.

Imogen Hassall died in 1980. The film is a typical account of early 70's British 'comedy' in the same genre or style as Rentadick (Richard Beckinsale) and Tiffany Jones (Ray Brooks). I enjoy these films foremost because of the era they were made in, i.e. not the plot/acting abilities or other normal qualities sought after in a film.The surrounding scenery and buildings/cars act as a filmed portrait of 'how Britain looked then'-quite a lot more uncluttered and somewhat simpler way of life. I also enjoy seeing well known household names in the beginnings of their careers.To me these odd movies are equally as watchable, if not more so than the popular hit movies/t.v series which will be repeated for ever more. Another odd film like these is The Strange Case of the End of Civilisation as we know it (John Cleese/Arthur Lowe). What these offbeat films do is show the viewer a somewhat different side to an actor that you may think you already know well, from their well-known creations.

A terrible movie, it really is but it's funny to think it stars probably Britain's biggest sitcom star and movies most notorious villain!

This is NOT the worst film I've ever seen, and I've been watching actual and TV films for over 60 years now. But it's on the short list, along with the few vampire/horror movies I've ever strayed onto, a couple of other dire 'sex' comedies of the 70s (generally as erotic as cold porridge), and the last couple of Carry On movies, made well after the 'regulars' had mostly retired or died.

The other reviews describe the essence of the 'plot', though I'd take that word loosely for this film. One did helpfully say that the script had been intended for the Goodies - who created classic TV comedy back in the day -- but they wisely decided to be doing something else that week!

The one review that was well wide of the mark was that of Egham1, who pointed out that Imogen Hassall might have enjoyed the proceeds, apparently unaware that she'd met a tragic end just a few years after this film was released (escaped?). A cruel voice might wonder if she'd finally atched it, and decided to do herself in to avoid further major embarrassment?

As one or two reviews said, this film may be lousy, but it does at least feature one star of two of the UK's great sitcoms (Jason, Only Fools, & Open All Hours) and Dave Prowse, soon to become the body of Darth Vader (they decided his Bristol pirate accent didn't have the gravitas for frightening people?!). A most unlikely pairing!

Forget the plot, this film has one purpose only now and that is as a record of just how lovely Imogen Hassell was. The film itself is not an exception in being tedious or embarrassing, in-fact its part of the norm of early 1970s British Comedy Films. The common factor in all these films is, it appears that the director is out to lunch or maybe even gone home all together? The result is you have various egos struggling to steal the scenes with puerile skits and maybe even adding their two pence worth to the script? That is not say it is not watchable, it is at a certain time of day and is still a reminder of perhaps more innocent times?, and therefore something you can sit and watch with all the family,while your having an argument about something else.