1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Carry On, October 31, 2002
Following on from the hot success of Carry On Loving (1970), the gang retreated into another historical theme. The series always seemed to be at its finest when doing a period comedy and Carry On Henry (1970) ranks up there with some of the greats of the series such as Cleo (1964), Don't Lose Your Head (1966), Screaming (1966) and Up The Kyber (1968).
Fresh from having one of his wives beheaded (Patsy Rolands), King Henry (played brilliantly by Sid James, injecting his usual rogue-like characterisation into the role) immediatley marries Quen Marie (a superb comic turn from Joan Sims in what is possibly her most lengthy and amusing role in the series) but once they retreat to the bed chamber, Henry discovers that Marie continually stinks of garlic and she is not about to give it up for anyone. As Marie is sister to the King of France, Henry realises it won't be so easy to have this wife beheaded. He soon becomes besotted with Bettina (beautifully played by the bubbly Barbara Windsor who said that this was her favourite Carry On) and soon plots to get rid of his French Queen.
This Carry On film stands very well and Talbot Rothwells dialogue races along, sparkling with witty repartee and fast, furious one-liners. Sid James, Joan Sims and Barbara Windsor are easily the best players here, though Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey camp it up to the end and are consistently amusing in doing so. Also popping up are Terry Scott as Cardinal Wolsey and Kenneth Connor as Lord Hampton of Wick. The location filming and grand, elaborate sets are authentic and Eric Rogers music is masterful. Possibly the best 1970's Carry On film.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Slow-moving, but in parts hilarious British comedy from 1972, April 10, 1999
By A Customer
The Carry On team are at it again in "Carry On Henry VIII" (original title: "Carry On Henry", UK 1972). It delves into the dirty dealings of English history and to the many wives of King Henry VIII. One of the best of the series, and worth the $30.00!
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4.0 out of 5 stars
1970 Entry In The Much Loved Series, April 27, 2006
Following the mildly risque, Carry On Loving (1970) the gang retreated back into a historical theme for its next entry with Carry on Henry. Critics may well have had a point when they said the Carry On films always scored best with their period comedies.
The authentic feel of the film is made impressively accurate from the grand, elaborate sets and grand, lavish costumes which captures the feel of the era impeccably well. It also looks far more expensive than it actually was as the Carry On films were renowned for their cheap and cheerful shoestring budget.
This in no way attempts to be correct in its detail with the plot obviously completely fictionalised but is a fun parody of the myth about Henry VIII. Sid James is superb in the role, playing it masterfully and marks a subtle contrast between his own usually likeable, rogue-like womaniser to the evil, power mad Henry VIII who married several wives during his reign and had them savagly beheaded once their purpose had been served (in his eyes at least).
In this entry, Henry VIII marries Queen Marie of Normandy who is masterfully played by the lovely Joan Sims. Joan Sims is in possibly her greatest characterisation in a Carry On film and is given plenty of screen time. Her efforts to woo Sid James are often hilarious and her blatant forth-coming attitude is refreshingly amusing. Joan shares some great scenes with Sid James and Charles Hawtrey as well as one priceless scene of her desperately trying to seduce the irresponsive Kenneth Williams. Classic stuff!
However mid way through the film, the lovely Bertina arrives at one of the Kings dance. He catches Henry VIII's roving eyes who immediately becomes attracted to her. He tries invain to have his wife, Queen Of Normandy beheaded for constantly reeking of garlic but his efforts are much more complicated this time as she is cousin to the King Of France. Dertermined to woo Bertina and get rid of his garlic-gobbling wife, he hatches up a cunning plan.
Bertina is of course played by the bubbly Barbara Windsor. Revelations in the tabloids were shocking as Barbara (who was married to gangster, Ronnie Knight, a well-known associate of the infamous Kray twins who ruled Londons underworld in the 60's) admitted in the late 70's to having had a secret affair with Sid James (who was also married at the time) behind the scenes of the Carry On films, despite Sid being nearly twice her age. In Carry On Henry you can detect some of that sizzling chemistry between the two and its obvious that they had undoubted true affection for one another. They sparkle in every scene they share and always never fail to raise a smile and a good old laugh.
Kenneth Williams is in another excellent role here who is his typically pompous yet blatantly imcompentent figure of authority in the role of Thomas Cromwell. Sharing many scenes with him is Terry Scott as Cardinal Worsley who's simple, childlike innocence causes much amusement throughout the film.
The scrawny physique of the effeminate Charles Hawtrey always raises a smile and he is in a fantastic role here as the laughably titled Sir Roger de Lodgerley. The scenes where he is subjected to various methods of torture such as being stretched and locked away in a dark closet with several sharp knifes sticking into him are masterfully played by this stalwart of the series.
Another stalwart of the series, Kenneth Connor who had returned to the series after a lengthy absence, turns up in a small but effective cameo as Lord Hampton Of Wick who comes to question Henry VIII why the Queen Of Normandy is being held prisoner in the dreaded tower (where everyone was sent before they were beheaded).
Out of all the Carry On performers in one of the best of the 70's Carry On's, Sid James, Joan Sims and Barbara Windsor win hands down despite strong and effective support from Kenneth Williams, Terry Scott and Charles Hawtrey.
Much of the location shots were filmed at Windsor Great Park and Long Walk, Windsor, Berks.
An essential Carry On film!
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