"What a Carve Up" is about the only time that Sid James appeared in a horror comedy. The tone of the film is a bit creepy and ghoulish but also very good in the laughter department. Kenneth Connor is summoned to this large Yorkshire mansion for the reading of his late Uncles will. Our Sid tags along for the journey, which is just as well, considering the events that unfold. Some of the dialogue doesn't quite work on occasion but the pace, the acting, the sets, the direction and photography are all great. The second half of "What a Carve Up" has a lot going on to keep the viewers glued to their seats. Donald Pleasence is suitably sinister as he is right at home. The supporting cast is a fine one. Dennis Price, George Woodbridge, Michael Gough, Michael Gwynn, Esma Cannon and Shirley Eaton. This is a low key film in that there are no extras employed just the essential cast and the film is based over a period of about two days. With comedies from this period, I sometimes expect the likes of Peter Sellers, Tony Hancock, Terry Thomas or Eric Sykes to appear. A masterpiece of comedy with horror elements blended in.
Review of No Place Like Homicide!
