Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19596 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-02-17
• 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: 94 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
In Carry On Follow That Camel, Sergeant Bilko himself, Phil Silvers, lends lustre and trademark spectacles to this 1967 desert spectacle following the adventures of a group of foreign legionnaires who find themselves besieged by a bloodthirsty band of Bedouins. Silvers plays Sergeant Nocker, a rogue cast firmly in the Bilko mould, who takes a dislike to new recruit Jim Dale, a young upper class gent forced to join the legion following disgrace at a cricket match. He's accompanied, naturally, by his faithful manservant (Peter Butterworth), with the pair showing a fine disregard for the austere requirements of the Foreign Legion. However, once they reach an agreement with Sergeant Nocker, they can join forces to repel the Bedouins, led, not unpredictably, by Bernard Bresslaw.

This is vintage Carry On, in spite of Sid James' absence. Kenneth Williams' performance is subdued by having to deliver the usual puns ("zere are a couple of points I still need to go over", he informs busty Joan Sims) in a mangled French accent but Silvers gets into the right mode of delivering broad comedy with subtle inflections. Peter Butterworth draws the short straw this time and must feature in the obligatory cross-dressing scene, while Charles Hawtrey is a splendidly unconvincing hardened legionnaire. As for Bresslaw, can any other British actor, with the exception of Sir Alec Guinness, have distinguished himself in such a variety of multi-ethnic roles?

On the DVD: Sadly, there are no extra features except scene selection. The picture ratio is 4:3. --David Stubbs

Special Features
4:3
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Mono English
Dolby Digital Mono
Photo Gallery
Theatrical Trailer
Phil Silvers Interview
Film Trivia Notes
Audio Commentary With Jim Dale

Synopsis
A slight diversion into the desert for the Carry On team this as the starring role goes to the legendary American Phil Silvers who plays (in what's practically a reprise of his Bilko role) an officer in the Foreign Legion who finds himself in charge of an Englishman (Jim Dale) who has joined to prove his honour after being accused of cheating at cricket.

Customer Reviews

High point Carry On with a particulaly classy Bresslaw
Set in a boiling desert, The French Foriegn Leigon headed by Commadant Burger (Kenneth Williams) and Captain Le Pice (Charles Hawtrey) and based in Fort Soixante-Neuf!!! With an Aristocrat Cricketer BO West (Jim Dale) makes this film a highlight of the series brimming with innuendo and style particulaly from Kenny, Charlie, Peter Butterworth and Joan Sims in a particulaly memorable Carry On role as Zig-Zig! Perhaps the best performance however is Bernard Bresslaw in a truly menacing desert Sheikh. The film is a must-see Carry On. The only mistake is putting Phil Silvers in Sid James well earned place.

A little disappointing
Carry On Follow That Camel (1967) lacks the pace and sparkle of some of the Carry On's other historical epics which is surprising as it was always the period comedies where the team scored best. The fact that Sid James, Barbara Windsor and Hattie Jaques are missing may have something to do with it. As a substitute for the absence of Sid James, the team brought in American comedian Phil Silvers who enjoyed success with his self-titled television show in the 1960's. Basically Silvers reprises his role as Sergeant Bilko in this entry (his only Carry On) and it doesn't quite blend in so well with the rest of the teams characterisations although there are some laughs to be along the way.
After being accused of cheating in a cricket match, Bertram Oliphant (Jim Dale in a familiar characterisation) gives up his fiancee (Angela Douglas) and with his bumbling butler Simpson in tow (Peter Butterworth) joins the Foreign Legion. The Fort he ends up in, which is run by Sergeant Knocker (Phil Silvers) soon comes under seige from Seeikh Abdul Abulbul (played brilliantly by Bernard Bresslaw who relishes every manically evil moment).
The desert scenes are vastly impressive and other regulars of the cast such as Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey and Joan Sims (who is shamefully underused in this one though still puts inan effective performance as the sultry and exotic Zigzig) but the feel-good factor of most of the Carry On films is evidently missing here. Though there are some laughs to be endured the film can best be described as just enjoyably average overall.

Not the best in the series...
Whilst this carry on is not the best in the series it is certainly a good film,indeed, i would heartily recommend any carry on film (yes, even emannuelle and columbus!). Most of the regulars are in it, kenny williams, charly hawtry, jim dale, joan sims, peter butterworth, berny breslaw and an addition to the cast in the form of Phil silvers (this was in an effort to appeal more to american audiences). Most notable by their absence are sid james and of course kenny williams who took a break from films in the mid to late 60's to do stage work. Although those two are missing, and I dont feel phil silvers fits neatly into the carry on style of doing things, the film still delivers. there are funny moments in the film. If you want to buy a carry on film, then buy camping, kyber, abroad or cleo I would recommend them first, but if you dont want them, then this is as good as any other carry on. I would recommend this to buy, but not as highly as those others mentioned