User reviews

I'm a dissenting voice in the crowd as I actually rather like this late entry in the Carry On series. In fact, I'd probably have it in my top 5 Carry Ons.

There were so many reasons why this entry should have been below par. The previous film in the series, Dick, saw the last appearances of Sid James, Barbara Windsor and Hatties Jacques (we'd already just lost Charles Hawtrey) and importantly this film was the first in a very long time not to have been scripted by master of the double-entendre, Talbot Rothwell. There were only three Carry Ons after this one, and they were all seriously bad. On paper, this is the film where it should have gone wrong, but instead what we have is a likable film full of Carry On humour. It feels like a natural sequel to Carry On Camping. It's a roughly 50:50 cast split between Carry On regulars (Williams, Sims, Bresslaw and Connor) and newcomers (Davies, Posta, Lavendar), and there's a guest star thrown in, Elke Sommer. I've never been a great fan of guests in Carry Ons as they inevitably don't 'fit in' with the crew (like them or loathe them, Ted Ray, Harry H Corbett, Phil Silvers and Frankie Howerd all kind of stood-out as not quite being in the Carry On mould). Elke, playing a Russian archaeologist, adds greatly to this film, and she gets quite a lot of the funny lines, mostly from her misinterpretation of English words.

Although I very much like this film it isn't without its faults. The plot is thinner than usual and the ending is poor (there isn't really a story to conclude at all). I'm not a prude, but there are blatant breasts on display; the Carry Ons always seemed better when they were more innocent. Technically the film is shoddy, with an awful lot of dialogue having been added after filming - at several points the cast speak without even having to move their lips! But there's plenty to enjoy here, cameos from Marianne Stone and David Lodge, a larger role than usual for Patsy Rowlands, music by Eric Rogers, and the English love of life in caravans and under canvas.

Heartily recommended, the last great Carry On.

I don't understand why this has such a low rating, I know some consider it a poor remake of Camping, but far from it, I've always thought it to be one of the best. Such a shame they made, England, Emmanuelle and Columbus, had they ended here I think 'Behind' would have been held in much higher regard.

Some truly funny gags, fun performances, and great double acts, Windsor Davies and Jack Douglas, Kenneth Williams and Elke Sommer, Peter Butterworth and Joan Sims. These were great comedy teams. Elke especially did a great job, her first Carry on and she was just splendid, likable, funny with a great delivery and a cheeky smile.

Some truly funny moments, Petter Butterworth trying to coax Kenneth and Elke to hire his caravan, Elke's looking for scrubbers, the striptease, lots to chose from.

Even the theme music makes me laugh, it's such a cheeky and funny tune, perfect for the film. 9/10

Carry on behind is one of my favourite Carry ons. Granted there are some creepy bits like to old men after some young girls but then again they do get their cumuppance. There is a lot of physical comedy in the film but what makes it unique is that most of the humour is language based. The Russian professor's continuous unintended double entendres are absolutely hilarious. You do get to see Ken Williams ' bare bottom and if you are not inclined that way Elke Sommer with very little clothing. To me it's not just a re hash of Carry on Camping as the language based humour throughout the film really makes it unique.

Another comedic Gem in an ocean of crap ...This movie is great in its own right , obviously missing sid james , but instead offering up windsor davies and jack douglas ...the boys dont disappoint ..with plenty of messed-up situations and rude humor ! Douglas turn as a clumsy inept moron is a winner ! . .and Elke sommers also delivers a great performance as a russian sexy archaelogist with able support from good old Kenneth williams ...if anyone doesnt like this, theyve got NO sense of humor !!!!! Watch and watch again !

This is one of my favourite CARRY ON films. The departure of Sid James and Barbara Windsor, along with Hattie Jacques, from the series, led many people to switch off and stop watching any new CARRY ON films after CARRY ON DICK. Others dismissed the film as a lame remake of CARRY ON CAMPING. I disagree. It's better than CARRY ON CAMPING in my opinion (good though that film was).

The departure of Talbot Rothwell from the series after CARRY ON DICK could well have led to the next film having a terrible script. Luckily that didn't happen... because they chose Dave Freeman. Dave Freeman wrote a few farces that I like, the best being A BEDFUL OF FOREIGNERS, which Terry Scott starred in as the lead. He knew how to write comedy and has a flair for sexual innuendo, and deriving effective humour from misunderstandings. It's hard to think of a better person to have taken over to continue the series. It's a pity this was the only film he wrote the screenplay for, since it's a work of genius in my opinion.

There is even less of a plot to this film than the other entries in the series. But this doesn't stop the film being incredibly funny. A group of holidaymakers end up at a caravan site and much hilarity ensues. There are a few separate sub-plots that come together nicely. I don't want to give too much away so I won't say much on this point. One plot line involves an archaeologist (played by the late, great Kenneth Williams) and his assistant (played to perfection by Elke Sommer) excavating the site looking for Roman remains. They drive much of the film and get into many mishaps and misunderstandings. It's all a joy to watch on the screen.

While all the cast members are brilliant and deliver spirited performances, I want to give special mention to quite a few actors who star in the film.

Windsor Davies and Jack Douglas take on the roles played by Sid James and Bernard Bresslaw in CARRY ON CAMPING. Unlike Sid James, Windsor Davies isn't playing a stereotypical lecherous bloke with a "dirty" laugh. But he does have an eye for the ladies and even though he and Jack Douglas must be two of the least likely ladies' men ever to appear on film, you can't help but really like these blokes and root for them. The two actors seem to be having the time of their lives in this film.

Kenneth Connor is fantastic as the lecherous Major Leep. He thoroughly enjoys himself and leaves you with the impression that he's been wanting to play this part for years. There is a slight touch of pathos in the character too, which is very effective and doesn't drag down the comical stereotype.

Carol Hawkins is great as a camper who stays on the site. She has a screen presence in this film that wasn't there in CARRY ON ABROAD.

There is plenty of witty dialogue in this film. Here's one of my favourite exchanges:

Windsor Davies (referring to a beach ball burning on a fire): My ball's burning!

Peter Butterworth: Don't stand so close to the fire!

There are plenty more of the Donald McGill-type postcard jokes like that one. I love them!

There is more nudity in this film than in the prior entries in the series. But the film as a whole comes across as fun for the whole family, not an adults-only sex comedy like the CONFESSIONS films for example. Most of the humour is cheeky and very British, with many of the jokes likely to go over the top of the heads of children who watch it.

I could be here all day talking about the great qualities of this film but I think I've said enough. It's just a great British comedy from the golden age. Watch the film and enjoy!

Better than many more hackneyed over exposed (!!!!) Carry Ons .... better than Carry On Camping.... endearing and sweet .. lovely fresh characters working on ever present themes ... hilarious that a sexy east european is central to plot... nothing changes.