MovieChat Forums > Carry on Henry (1972) Discussion > Probably the best looking and most overl...

Probably the best looking and most overlooked of the lot!

posted 9 years ago by BrickNash
4 replies | jump to latest

I'm watching this film right now after 25 years or so since I last saw it as a boy.

Really, I honestly think this is one of the very best of the Carry On's and it's a good film in it's own right.

In the 70's the Carry on's were little more than cheaply made seaside smut but this goes against the trend in almost all areas.

For a start the film looks fantastic. The sets and costumes are wonderfully lush and are all superbly lit. This could honestly match any other 'serious' historical drama in terms of visuals and that's a rare thing for the Carry On's.

The story has the usual sex/toilet/lust plots but woven into it is a very solid tale of political convenience and obligation with regards to the kings heir and some great running gags with getting confessions & retractions and trying to please the King of France while also attempting to chase another wife.

Thoroughly enjoyable and even more so that is is a cut above all the rest in almost all areas. Even The Beloved Cleo and Khyber really don't come up to this standard and it's a shame as it seems like the one that the producers put the most effort in to, and it shows

[–] louiseculmer 8 years ago

i think it's good, though i don't find it as funny as up the Khyber, which is my personal favourite. but it does look gorgeous, as you say. And the plot is quite clever.

[–] louiseculmer 8 years ago

i think it's good, though i don't find it quite as funny as up the Khyber, which is my personal favourite. but it does look gorgeous, as you say. And the plot is quite clever.

[–] chelseaal 8 years ago

I have been told it was made using the costumes and props from A Man For All Seasons, hence the extravagance compared to earlier Carry On films.

[–] greenbudgie 7 years ago

I was amazed when I tried this board sometime last year that there were no posts at all on here at that time. I'm glad you've got the ball rolling at last.

The costumes were good but this doesn't make me laugh as much of some of the other period Carry Ons. I reckon that 'Don't Lose Your Head' and 'Screaming' are the best of the series.