Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15048 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-05-12
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Special Edition
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 85 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Filmed in 1968 and set in British India in 1895, Carry On Up the Khyber is one of the team's most memorable efforts. Sid James plays Sid James as ever, though nominally his role is that of Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond, the unflappable British Governor who must deal with the snakelike, scheming Khasi of Khalabar, played by Kenneth Williams. A crisis occurs when the mystique of the "devils in skirts" of the 3rd Foot and Mouth regiment is exploded when one of their number, the sensitive-to-draughts Charles Hawtrey, is discovered by the natives to be wearing underpants. Revolt is in the offing, with Bernard Bresslaw once again playing a seething native warrior.

Roy Castle neatly plays the sort of role normally assigned to Jim Dale, as the ineffectual young officer, Peter Butterworth is a splendid compromised evangelist, while Terry Scott puts his comedic all into the role of the gruff Sergeant. Most enduring, however, is the final dinner party sequence in which the British contingent, with the Burpas at the gates of the compound, and plaster falling all about them, demonstrate typical insouciance in the face of imminent peril. The "I'm Backing Britain" Union Jack hoist at the end, however, over-excitedly reveals the streak of reactionary patriotism that lurked beneath the bumbling double-entendres of most Carry On films. --David Stubbs

Special Features
Audio Commentary by Peter Rogers
Photo Gallery with captions
Theatrical Trailer
Carry On Laughing: The Sobbing Cavalier
Film Trivia Notes
Collector’s Booklet with Star Profiles

Synopsis
Set in colonial British India in 1895, CARRY ON UP THE KHYBER is one of the very best films in the Carry On series. With the Khasi of Kalabar leading the natives in a revolt against the British, the cosy life of Sir Sidney Ruff Diamond looks set to come to a bloody end. Will the 3rd Foot and Mouth Regiment regain their fearsome "Devils in skirts" reputation or will the revelation that they wear underwear under their skirts be their downfall

Customer Reviews

The Best!
Carry On Up The Kyber is undoubtedly one of the very best of the series, if not THE best. Whilst most Carry on films suffered an onslaught of criticism from critics, they actually joined in praise for this entry, and rightly so.
The Khaszi of Kalabar finds information that proves that the men of The Third Foot And Mouth regiment are not "the devil in skirts" as they claim to be, so he decides to bring their presence in India to an end. With Sir Sidney Ruff Diamond's (head of "the devil in skirts") cushy job threatened to come to an end, he decides to take action against it.

The irreplacable Hattie Jaques and Barbara Windsor are missing from this entry but most of the other regulars are here such as Sid James, Joan Sims, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Terry Scott and Bernard Bresslaw as well as featuring the talents of Roy Castle, in his only Carry On role and Angela Douglas who previously had appeared in Carry On Cowboy (1965), Screaming (1966) and Follow That Camel (1967). The best players in this historical romp are Sid James and Joan Sims as the hilarious Ruff Diamonds. Joan Sims delivery is priceless as her delicatley, well spoken voice occasionally slides into a broad cockney accent - amusing stuff!

Carry On Up The Kyber is consistently funny throughout with Talbot Rothwell's script bubbling with inventive repartee and sparkling razor sharp wit. The film boasts the best ending in a Carry On film, where the gang are all keeping a stiff British upper lip and deciding to ignore the attack that's taking place outside the building, proceed to continue with their supper whilst the building is collapsing around their ears.

Classic British comedy at its very best and fans of the series will be delighted.

Best Carry On ever?
Carry On… movies are never likely to be thought of as comedy classics, and yet they are fondly remembered by those who have seen them on a wet bank holiday Monday through the years, and the regular cast remain household names (Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Barbara Windsor to name but a few). All to often they are nothing more than Bawdy sit-coms (Camping, Abroad in particular), yet every now and again they hit the mark, often when dealing with the past. Cleo, Dick, Henry and Don’t Lose Your Head (a film that was monikered Carry On very late on in it’s inception) are great examples of this, but it is Up the Khyber that truly stands the test of time, and is arguably the very best.

There is little point in talking about plot – the Carry On’s never score highly on that in any case – this is all to do with the pitch perfect casting of the regulars (with support from Roy Castle playing the Jim Dale type role) and great performances all round. Sid James once more plays Sid, this time Sir Sydney Ruff-Diamond, with his usual flair, but it is once more left to Kenneth Williams to claim the over-acting honours as his nemesis the Khasi of Khalabar. The cast is rounded out with most the regulars including a fine turn from the inestimable Charles Hawtry as the unfortunate Private Widdle, whose choice of underwear almost brings down British rule in India. Pinewood performs admirably in it’s own role as Imperial India, as does the Welsh Valley that stands in for the real Khyber Pass.

With the Carry On films being re-visited by Carry On London ( which will feature – shudder – soap actors in the major parts), this is a good time to see the original cast at their very best.

The Best Carry On Ever!!!!
Hold everything!! Let me tell you about the Best Carry On film ever! Carry On Up The Khyber is hillarious and with a cast of Kenneth Williams, Sid James, Charles Hawtry, Bernard Bresslaw and Terry Scott- you know your in for a treat. Great gags, lots of naughty bits and generally a good laugh in ways only the carry on team can give