Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8924 in VHS
• Released on: 1997-08-18
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Black & White, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 84 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
While the later chapters of the Carry On series have received fairly constant exposure, some earlier examples such as 1964's Spying remain relatively unseen. Given the brash production and ensemble playing of the more well-known films, this black and white version of the Carry On world seems oddly low-key in comparison. Four of the soon-to-be-regular cast are in attendance--Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Williams, Jim Dale, Charles Hawtrey--and there are many signs of a formula in development (the double entrendres, bad puns, Windsor's ill-fitting clothing). Of course, with its obsession with sex and bodily functions it's all very English and parts have dated horribly, not least the casual racism of some of the secondary characters, but fans of this most unique of genres will find much to tickle their fancy. And don't they look so young?

On the DVD: Given the long history and colourful characters of the series, there must be scope for much behind the scenes and documentary footage, but this disc is totally bereft of any extras bar scene selection. There is also little to add to the original black and white film stock, although the soundtrack, chock full of humorous instrumentation, sounds pretty good. --Phil Udell

Synopsis
A send-up of the James Bond movies with agents Desmond Simpkins and James Bind, who do battle with the crime syndicate STENCH.

Customer Reviews

Enter Barbara Windsor
Carry On Spying marked the debut appearance in a Carry On Film of the bubbly Barbara Windsor who would become a sex symbol in the series. This amusing paraody of the James Bond films is another classic in the series. Desmond Simpkins (Kenneth Williams) along with his three extra-special agents by his side (Barbara Windsor, Bernard Cribbins, Charles Hawtrey) all plot to take on the malevolent powers of STENCH, namely Dr. Crow, Milchmann and The Fat Man, members of the Society for the Extinction of non-conforming Humans. Clues to the exact location of STENCH HQ lead the quartret of spies into the heart of Harry Lime country in Vienna, the Casbah and finally the corridors of the Orient Express.
Fun and adventures all the way with the gangs reaching new heights of invention and parody in this one. The cast are all excellent, especially Barbara Windsor who sparkles in every scene. A comic gem!

Double oh five out of double oh five.
The ninth movie in the series (and the last in black and white) sees the team having go at the Bond series. Eric Barker makes a welcome return as the head of MI6 (in his last Carry On... for 15 years). Barker has no option other than send out a gang of trainee agents on the latest mission as no other agents are available. A secret formula has been stolen and it's their job to find it. Heading the agents is Desmond Simpkins (Kenneth Williams in "snide" voice for the whole film) joined by Harold Crump (Bernard Cribbins in his last Carry On... for 27 years!), Charlie Bind (Charles Hawtrey) and Daphne Honeybutt (Barbara Windsor in her series debut). Throughout the film we encounter Jim Dale and Dilys Laye in supporting roles. It's a fast-paced, riotous farce from beginning to end and some of the Bond observations are spot on. The best performance comes from Williams who uses his "Stop messin' about" voice throughout.

Fantasticly unexpected
I found this carry on film to be my favorite because of its strange and unexpected plot. I like all of the carry ons but this one is really groovy.