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Carry On Sergeant [1958]
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A subtle start to the carry on series
Review date: 2008-04-15 Rating: 8 out of 10
Somehow I had managed to miss this over the last 50 years. So to see it in 2008, having seen many of the later Carry On films was something of a surprise. The nudge nudge element, I suppose best represented by Sid James, is mostly missing, and the film in black and white still mainly looks as though it was made just after the end of the second world war.
Its humour is more restrained than the later films. In many ways this is a good thing, because when Kenneth Connor and Kenneth Williams do appear the link to the later Carry On films falls into place. The fact that both Connor and Williams are both recruits in the Army tells you all you need to know.
The cast all give fine performances, and its well written and directed. I also wondered whether this was an influence on the writers of Dads Army. Kenneth Connor's character in particular had many of the traits that Corporal Jones would use ten years later. Whilst this may not be as good as Carry on up the Kyber its still a much better film than you might expect.
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Reviews
Broad, cheery and un-p.c. fun
Review date: 2007-08-23 Rating: 8 out of 10
A group of misfits undergo Army basic training under the eye of an irascible but ultimately goodhearted sergeant. No, it isn't Stripes. It's Britain in the Fifties, and this was the first of a string of Carry On movies that numbered well over 20 and lasted, I think, until the Seventies. Charles Hawtrey, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Williams, Kenneth Connor and several others made a pretty good living appearing in the series.
And the movie's not bad. Corny, with broad humor, good spirits, and with a nice, sentimental ending. It's the last platoon the sergeant will train before he retires. Will they win the outstanding squad cup after the final parade? Plus it has all the instantly recognizable cliche characters...the unconsummated newly wed (with his bride who gets a job on base), the nervous hypochondriac, the stumble-foot innocent, the hip guitar player. All very un-P.C.
Nice jobs by William Hartnell who plays the sergeant and by Eric Barker who plays the officer in charge who doesn't have the firmest grip on reality. Not least, the movie opens and closes with a really first-rate, rousing march.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Bob Monkhouse
Dora Bryan
Eric Barker
William Hartnell
Bill Owen
Creators:
William Hartnell (Primary Contributor)
Bob Monkhouse (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060034577737
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2007-01-29
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 81 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1958
Language: English (Original Language)