Cor Blimey!

Rating:
Summary: An entertaining if inaccurate look behind the Carry On films
Review: Cor Blimey premiered on the ITV network on Monday 24 April, 2000. We were treated to something fantastic - Cor Blimey was, in a word, stunning. I was familiar with the story, in general, having seen the original play and read the script. I was also familiar with the uncanny portrayals of Sid, Babs and Kenny, courtesy of Geoffrey Hutchings, Adam Godley and Samantha Spiro. Despite all that, from the opening theme, typical Carry On stuff courtesy of Barrington Pheloung, to the closing shots of Babs and Kenny (more on that later) Cor Blimey is a charming, funny and warm look at the lives of the people who continue to make us laugh 30 years later.

Rating:
Summary: An entertaining if inaccurate look behind the Carry On films
Review: Cor Blimey premiered on the ITV network on Monday 24 April, 2000. We were treated to something fantastic - Cor Blimey was, in a word, stunning. I was familiar with the story, in general, having seen the original play and read the script. I was also familiar with the uncanny portrayals of Sid, Babs and Kenny, courtesy of Geoffrey Hutchings, Adam Godley and Samantha Spiro. Despite all that, from the opening theme, typical Carry On stuff courtesy of Barrington Pheloung, to the closing shots of Babs and Kenny (more on that later) Cor Blimey is a charming, funny and warm look at the lives of the people who continue to make us laugh 30 years later.

Rating:
Summary: Nice Try
Review: During the 50s, 60s, and 70s, some of the best comedians in England formed the "Carry On" team, and the team appeared in a number of comedy films created in the Pinewood Studios in England. The "Carry On" team had regulars--such as--Sid James. Hattie Jacques, Charles Hawtrey, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, etc, and new talent was also added to the core cast over the years. The "Carry On" films were immensely popular, and fans anticipated the next release knowing they were in for a lot of laughs. "Cor Blimey" is the story of the relationship--both on and off the screen of Sid James and Barbara Windsor--an actress who joined the team in the 60s at the height of their success.

First--if you haven't watched a "Carry On " film, "Cor Blimey" probably won't have a great deal of relevance for you. The love story between Sid James and Barbara Windsor is carried out against the backdrop of some of their very popular films--"Carry On Cleo," "Carry On Camping, " Carry On Spying," and "Carry On Henry VIII" etc. The film details how James and Windsor met--Sid was a big star and Barbara played a bit part--how she avoided an affair (they were both married. Sid was in his late 50s, and she was in her early 30s)--and how the "Carry On" team reacted to their relationship.

Samantha Spiro really does a credible job as Barbara Windsor--the pocket Venus buxom blonde with the infectious giggle. Geoffrey Hutchings as Sid James manages to re-create many of Sid's mannerisms--including his one-of-a-kind dirty laugh. Adam Godley as Kenneth Williams was a bit over the top--the voice and mannerisms were good, but he just came across as someone imitating Kenneth Williams.

Overall, "Cor Blimey" made a nice attempt to portray the relationship between Sid James and Barbara Windsor. But I couldn't really get over two main faults the film had. (1) Some of the actors and actresses portraying the real-life counterparts were so physically different that it was distracting (at the same time, I understand that is must be practically impossible to find an actor who looks even remotely like Sid James). (2) The implication made by the film was that many real-life incidents were uncannily like scenes from a "Carry On" film--Kenneth Williams flashing everyone, the trailer mishap, and the most preposterous suggestion that the matron in Sid's ward was a dead ringer for Hattie Jacques. I know Life imitates Art--and vice versa--but this film stretched it a bit far. "Cor Blimey" relies on the deep abiding affection of the audience for "Carry On" films, and perhaps I do miss the "Carry On" team enough to find this pale imitation acceptable--displacedhuman--Amazon Reviewer--

Rating:
Summary: Errors in Cor Blimey
Review: It is an enjoyable TV Movie, but for true die-hard CARRY ON fans there are major errors in the movie. Bernard Bresslaw is depicted as playing Cardinal Wolsey in CARRY ON HENRY - whereas Terry Scott played him in the 1971 film. Tony Hancock died in 1968 which was after Sid James' heart attack in 1967. Others have reported errors in the 007 films being made at the time of certain Carry On's.

The performances were spot-on however, altho why Barbara Windsor was brought in to play her self in the latter part is a mystery (perhaps she wanted to "get in on the act" so to speak).

Rating:
Summary: Errors in Cor Blimey
Review: It is an enjoyable TV Movie, but for true die-hard CARRY ON fans there are major errors in the movie. Bernard Bresslaw is depicted as playing Cardinal Wolsey in CARRY ON HENRY - whereas Terry Scott played him in the 1971 film. Tony Hancock died in 1968 which was after Sid James' heart attack in 1967. Others have reported errors in the 007 films being made at the time of certain Carry On's.

The performances were spot-on however, altho why Barbara Windsor was brought in to play her self in the latter part is a mystery (perhaps she wanted to "get in on the act" so to speak).