jburke293

Possibly the worst British comedy film I have ever seen. Firstly, Sid James was the heart and soul of these films. They had no business going on after he passed. Second, there were no outstanding performances in this film, with one exception. Long time Carry On matron Joan Sims had a part in this film that really was unworthy of her, the same for Kenneth Connor who I absolutely loved as the funeral director with a weak heart in 'Allo 'Allo. Judy Geeson was as beautiful as ever she was in any other film, but her character wasn't well written in my opinion and Patrick Mower seemed to me to keep trying to come off as a younger, randier Reg Varney from On The Buses. In fact, I felt as though I were watching an episode of On The Buses many times in this film. The brand of humor was very similar. A bit too similar. The way the men and women were always nipping off for a good time was too much like Stan and Jack with the clippies. The only stand out performance in this film has to be Windsor Davies as the beleaguered Sgt Major, wanting to obey Capt. Melly's orders but knowing full well that the 'soldiers' will retaliate if pushed too far. They even recycled the only almost funny gag in the film. The first time Cap. Melly get's tripped into a pile of excrement, it's almost funny, the second time, it's already boring. The business with the men and women sneaking around for amorous encounters throughout the film is more worthy of a teen summer camp film, not a film starring adults who are supposed to be operating an anti-aircraft battery during WW2.

This short is very reminiscent of the antics of many of the early silent film stars. Eric Sykes remade this piece in 1979, this time with Arthur Lowe (of Dad's Army and Mr. Men fame)in the role of the larger worker. Whichever version you choose to see, both Lowe and Cooper are very funny to watch, so you really can't go wrong no matter which you view.

Things like the car doors that must be closed at the same time to prevent the other popping open, and narrowly avoiding hitting people when they swing the plank around are straight from the realm of Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd or even Laurel and Hardy. So if you like classic physical comedy and sight gags, in the vein of the classics, then find a version of The Plank and enjoy with a friend.