Carry On Henry

Carry On Henry

17/3/1972 1h 29m 6.1/10

Overview

Henry VIII has just married Marie of Normandy, and is eager to consummate their marriage. Unfortunately for Henry, she is always eating garlic, and refuses to stop. Deciding to get rid of her in his usual manner, Henry has to find some way of doing it without provoking war with Marie's cousin, the King of France. Perhaps if she had an affair...

Director

David Bracknell

Top Billed Cast

Charles Hawtrey

Charles Hawtrey

Sir Roger de Lodgerley

Sidney James

Sidney James

King Henry VIII

Kenneth Williams

Kenneth Williams

Thomas Cromwell

Terry Scott

Terry Scott

Cardinal Wolsey

Barbara Windsor

Barbara Windsor

Bettina

Joan Sims

Joan Sims

Queen Marie

Reviews

John Chard

7/19/2015

7/10

Henry Tudor just got ruder! The 21st film of the long running Carry On series is a bawdy trip into the court of King Henry VIII (Sid James). The King has recently married Queen Marie of Normandy (Joan Sims) but since she eats too much garlic, thus putting the King off his conjugal rights, he plots to get her out the way. However, he must tread carefully as a war with France could easily arise should anything happen to the Queen. Some of the best colour Carry On movies would turn out to be set in an historical period. Carry On Henry is not one of the best from the historical romps, but it's a goodie and for those who like the saucy side of the series then it has plenty of appeal. The presence of James on womanising and boozing form, and Barbara Windsor doing her no brain all sexuality act, gives this entry its saucy soul, while Terry Scott (superb visual ticks), Kenny Williams (a continuously wonderful foil for Scott) and Charles Hawtrey mince about with gleeful abandon. The energy of the comedy is high and sustained throughout, while the art design and costuming is regal in production. The gunpowder plot forms a side-bar narrative, which is joyous but also shows us that Kenneth Connor is sadly under used, but the innuendo and purposely groan inducing gags are always on hand to tickle the senses of those so inclined towards this splinter of the popular British institution. 7/10

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

7/26/2023

6/10

..or "Carry on History"? Henry VIII (Sid James) manages to squeeze in two extra wives into this daft historical romp that sees Cardinal Wolsey (Terry Scott) and Lord Chancellor Cromwell (Kenneth Williams) having to run the gauntlet of the King's pleasure as he marries "Marie" (Joan Sims) then decides he needs to divorce her for "nonconsumption" so he can marry the playful young "Bettina" (Barbara Windsor). It's off with their heads a-plenty as the lustful king plays politics and romance much to the chagrin of his officials, and I thought - in quite an entertaining fashion. The script is riddled with double-entendres, but they are actually quite a bit cleverer this time and Williams, James and the often underused Charles Hawtrey (poor old "Sir Roger") deliver this film well enough. This was certainly one of my favourites from this gang - it looks good and maybe Guy Faulkes should have watched it first?

Similar Movies

The Adjustment Bureau

6.8

The Adjustment Bureau

2011

This Year's Love

5.0

This Year's Love

1999

Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!

6.2

Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!

2006

Bend of the River

6.9

Bend of the River

1952

Wife vs. Secretary

6.6

Wife vs. Secretary

1936

Changing Times

5.4

Changing Times

2004

Day of the Mummy

5.2

Day of the Mummy

2014

Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?

6.7

Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?

1957

The Facts of Life

5.1

The Facts of Life

1960

The Polar Bear King

5.6

The Polar Bear King

1991

The Cabinet Minister's Wife

0.0

The Cabinet Minister's Wife

1989