This was a lavish, colourful production that even on the supposed small budgets the 'Carry Ons' were deemed to have had, looks spellbindingly good, let alone the humour. (So many have made reference to the actual sets/costumes used from 20th Century Fox's 'Cleopatra').
The 'Romanised' names which reflect today's names (Slave-traders known as 'Marcus and Spencius' etc) add to the usual absurdity, but absurdity is never done better by this lost era of comedies - you never can help laughing when the team deliver the lines better than anyone could today (Check out Tommy Cooper and Stan Laurel).
The time is coupled with the Roman occupation of Britain and Caesar's Rome. Yes, we know that Britain wasn't properly occupied and the population weren't stone age like portrayed in the film but who cares?! Julius Caesar, played by Ken Williams, Anthony by Sid James and the rest of the ample cast, including Charlie Hawtrey still wearing his specs in ancient Rome, make it fine nonetheless.
Jim Dale does well on one of his few outings as he usually does "Oh, you silly Pod!" With reference to Hengist Pod (Kenneth Connor), the square-wheel making, accidental hero who's promoted to Caesar's head bodyguard.
Naturally it follows through to both Caesar's and Anthony's dalliance with the beautiful Amanda Barrie as Cleopatra.
The gags as always, are simple but effective (I'm not going to do the Kenny Williams one!). On John Pertwee as the soothsayer calling: "Isis, Isis". - "They're lovely!" comes the reply from Ken Connor! And when Cleo mentions to Anthony that one bite from the snake is fatal, he bites the snake, spits it out, disgusted with the taste and says: "You're not kidding!" Definitely along with 'Khyber' the best of the lot!
The 'Romanised' names which reflect today's names (Slave-traders known as 'Marcus and Spencius' etc) add to the usual absurdity, but absurdity is never done better by this lost era of comedies - you never can help laughing when the team deliver the lines better than anyone could today (Check out Tommy Cooper and Stan Laurel).
The time is coupled with the Roman occupation of Britain and Caesar's Rome. Yes, we know that Britain wasn't properly occupied and the population weren't stone age like portrayed in the film but who cares?! Julius Caesar, played by Ken Williams, Anthony by Sid James and the rest of the ample cast, including Charlie Hawtrey still wearing his specs in ancient Rome, make it fine nonetheless.
Jim Dale does well on one of his few outings as he usually does "Oh, you silly Pod!" With reference to Hengist Pod (Kenneth Connor), the square-wheel making, accidental hero who's promoted to Caesar's head bodyguard.
Naturally it follows through to both Caesar's and Anthony's dalliance with the beautiful Amanda Barrie as Cleopatra.
The gags as always, are simple but effective (I'm not going to do the Kenny Williams one!). On John Pertwee as the soothsayer calling: "Isis, Isis". - "They're lovely!" comes the reply from Ken Connor! And when Cleo mentions to Anthony that one bite from the snake is fatal, he bites the snake, spits it out, disgusted with the taste and says: "You're not kidding!" Definitely along with 'Khyber' the best of the lot!