Carry on Follow That Camel

The Carry On films represent a particular type of English humour. They are slapstick rather than intellectual, but often show a degree of humanity and pathos lacking in American slapstick. For years it has been customary to condemn Carry On as being low-brow and low-budget. They certainly were low budget, particularly compared with their American equivalents, but they compare favourably with the American movies.

It was a mistake to introduce Phil Silvers into this film. He gives the impression over overacting, whereas the British actors are merely camp. His style of humour is crass rather than subtle. Some have said that he dominated the film. He does not. He detracts from it.

This is an enjoyable movie, though undemanding.

I think this was one of the funniest carry on films,it would have to be some where in the top 10.The story is based on Beau Geste,with quite a few changes.Phil Silvers seems relaxed in his role,almost as if he has starred in other carry on films,he was probably the replacement for Sid James.Although Phil Silvers fits the role perfectly,in his usual SGT Bilko style.Anita Harris only starred in two carry on films,and you wonder why she wasn't asked to do more,as she was popular with the male audiences.All the characters are very good,and the best use has been made of their talents.Kenneth Williams playing the German called Burger,Charles Hawtrey playing the Frenchman Le piece.Bernard Bresslaw gives his best carry on performance as the Arab leader.I think one of the funniest parts of this film is when the Legionaires are having a sandcastle competition,and it breaks into a fight,and the Arabs are looking on thinking their all stupid.In all still a funny film,with a good cast who sadly most are not with us anymore.

A surprisingly funny instalment of the CARRY ON franchise, given this film's poor reputation amongst fans. A lot of that ill feeling stems from the presence of Phil Silvers (SGT. BILKO) in the cast, replacing Sid James; Silvers is hardly a perfect fit here, but I found that come the end he had acquitted himself well with the material.

And the story is very enjoyable. This is a broad spoof of the Foreign Legion movie, with an upper class toff (Jim Dale, on fine form) and his manservant (Peter Butterworth, excelling in one of his larger roles) drafted into the Legion to do battle against Bernard Bresslaw (excellent) and his nefarious Arabs.

The cast give some very good performances in this one, particularly Kenneth Williams playing a (bizarrely) German officer. Inevitably the gags come thick and fast, and there's a fair share of hits among them too, including some great sight gags. What I noticed in particular, and it may be the nature of the spoof, is that CARRY ON FOLLOW THAT CAMEL has much more in common with the 1950s-era CARRY ON flicks than the crude 1970s ones, and that's perhaps a reason I enjoyed it so much.

This isn't the strongest Carry On entry, it's not the strongest script but it's a solid plot ably handled.

However, in the absence of Sid James who had filming commitments elsewhere, Phil Silvers was cast & he drags it down. Every scene he's in is just the same ridiculous, self-indulgent gurning, giving no consideration to others in the scenes or to the film as a whole. He sticks out like a sore thumb to the detriment of everyone, dragging the film from a solid B to a desperate C-, coupled with his inability or unwillingness to actually learn his lines like an actual professional actor, no wonder he was disliked by other cast members.

Thank God he was only in the one film.

Another of the historical/costume Carry On's see's Phil Silvers join the Carry On team as a guest star. This was the first time one cast members name had been allowed to headline over the others and this was undoutbly done to increase the series appeal in America. However this is rumoured to have caused friction amongst the regular cast members which is possibly one reason for Kenneth Williams even more over the top than usual performance trying to out do Silvers.

The plot line follows Beau (Jim Dale) and his Butler (Petter Butterworth) join the foreign legion in the 1800's their they meet the conniving Seargent Knocker (Silvers). Seargent Knocker is pretty much just Seargent Bilko in the 1800's which is fine by me as Silvers creation of Bilko is a great character and funny even now over fifty years after the series was broadcast. However the problem being at times this does feel like the Phil Silvers show rather than a carry on. The rest of the cast do OK but it has to be said other than Dale and Breslaw they are either not on their usual high form (Williams and Hawtry as the commanding officers) or underused (an excellent Joan Simms who only appears for less than 10mins in total).

Follow that Camel is a funny film but not as funny as the best of the series Silvers adds star power but it hasn't got enough killer lines. There's not one joke that makes you remember this film like the best Carry On's for instance the daffodil in Nurse, Infamy infamy.... in Cleo or the diner scene in Khyber.

Out of 10 I'm giving it a generous 7 as I'm a big Bilko and Carry On fan. 7/10