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  • Widescreen 1.66:1
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  • English: Dolby Digital Mono
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    Carry on Jack
    Universal/Universal . R4 . COLOR . 88 mins . PG . PAL

      Feature
    Contract

    Starring fewer Carry On regulars than many of the other films in the stable, Carry On Jack is a laugh every 28 minutes, roller coaster ride of fun and frolics on the high seas - minus the fun and frolics. This 1963 effort stars Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey, considered by many 'fans' as two of the funnier Carry On regulars, with help from semi-regulars Bernard Cribbins and Jim Dale, as well as Juliet Mills doing a "Bob" (Blackadder fans will know what I mean).

    Albert Poop-decker (Cribbins) is a midshipman assigned to the good ship Venus, a frigate in the Royal Navy, captained by Captain Fearless (Williams) who is anything but fearless. After a quick stop at Dirty Dick's, Poop-decker is clobbered from behind by Sally (Mills) and passes out (the first of many times this will happen). Nicking his uniform, she stows away on the Venus hoping to find her childhood sweetheart, Roger, in Spain, and manages to fool everyone on board into thinking she/he is Poop-decker.

    The real Poop-decker is press ganged into the Venus' crew along with the human stick insect, Walter Sweetley (Hawtrey). The rest of the film is a combination of running gags, slapstick, melodrama, double entendres and the usual corny Carry On gags that may have been somewhat amusing 40 years ago, but in 2003 are just turgid and lame. Fearless, Poop-decker, Sally and Sweetly abandon ship thinking they are being attacked, manage to 'recapture' the Venus, destroy the Spanish Armada, and capture a gang of ruthless pirates into the bargain - no worries.

    There are a number of interesting cameos from the likes of Patrick Cargill and Ed Skippy Devereaux, but the film as a whole just drags. It managed to elicit from me a total of two laughs, one smirk, numerous groans, and about 83 minutes of barely attentive silence.

    There are no doubt many Carry On fans about, and they will be delighted that they can now get their hands on many of the films on DVD. The rest of us would be just as happy to see them left where they are.

      Video
      Audio
      Extras
    Contract

    This colour effort is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1 and is generally good. It is not 16:9 enhanced, but that would add precious little. The picture is of average sharpness but is better than many other films from that time. Colours are generally good, with little to no noise and bleeding, and good solid black levels. Film artefacts are at a minimum and the result is a very clean print. Shadow detail is good, and there are no compression artefacts. There is no evidence of shimmer or edge enhancement, and no layer change.

    The English-only audio is perfectly serviceable and the basics of volume, clarity and synchronisation are fine. There is no separation or panning in this Dolby Digital 2.0 mono track, and no great and impressive sound range for your system to cope with. Dialogue is clear and audible, sound effects are straightforward enough and the accompanying music is subtle but suitable.

    No extras are included as part of this release.

    Carry On films rarely offer up anything new, amusing or clever, and Carry On Jack is no exception. This is just another collection of silly gags, some basic slapstick and other duff jokes lumped together around a very loose plot. A carry-on indeed...


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  •   And I quote...
    "Need a good laugh? Look elsewhere…"
    - Terry Kemp
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Akai
    • TV:
          TEAC CT-F803 80cm Super Flat Screen
    • Receiver:
          Pioneer VSX-D409
    • Speakers:
          Wellings
    • Centre Speaker:
          Wellings
    • Surrounds:
          Wellings
    • Subwoofer:
          Sherwood SP 210W
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard RCA
    • Video Cables:
          standard s-video
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