Carry on Up the Khyber
A film review by Graeme Huggan
Copyright 1998
One of the best of the Carry on films. Set in India in the 1890's, the main story is all about the attempts by the Khasi of Kalabar (Kenneth Williams) to oust British rule from Kalabar forever. He pits his wits against the British viceroy Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond (Sidney James) and the British army, otherwise known as the 'Devils in Skirts' due to them wearing a kilt and not wearing any underwear. When Private Jimmy Widdle (Charles Hawtrey) is found wearing underwear while on patrole at the Khyber Pass by Bungdit Din, the Khasi's associate (Bernard Bresslaw), it brings the whole regiment into shame and fuels the Khasi's desire to kill the British who are no longer the 'Devils in Skirts'. Other story threads include Sir Sidney's wife, Lady Ruff-Diamond's (Joan Sims) attempt to help the Khasi and in return she will become one of his wives, and the romance between the Khasi's daughter Princess Jelhi (Angela Douglas) and Captain Keene of the Regiment (Roy Castle). At the end, there is a climactic battle for supremacy in Kalabar during which the British keep a stiff upper lip. The final scenes around Sir Sidney's dinner table are hilarious. A high-spirited and good-humoured effort, with great performances from Sid James as the lecherous old governor and Joan Sims as his 'dutiful' wife. Charles Hawtrey's characterisation reaches its zenith with his portrayal of Private Widdle, a bumbling and dim-witted fool. Kenneth Williams still plays a nasty character but adds a new voice to his repertoire and is exceedingly funny. Julian Holloway is perfect as Major Shorthouse and Roy Castle (in his only Carry on film) is well-suited to the part of Captain Keene. On the other hand, the other regulars try their best but suffer from some very limited parts. Peter Butterworth as Brother Belcher the missionary is surplus to requirements, as is Terry Scott as Sergeant Major MacNutt. Bernard Bresslaw plays the boring part of Bungdit Din but still manages to be amusing. Up the Khyber is a great Carry on film. The actors are praiseworthy, the sets and costumes are lavish, and production values are better than usual. The plot is very complex compared to other Carry on's and there are many memorable scenes, such as the final dining room scene and Private Widdle's scene involving the loss of his undergarments! This was the producer Peter Rogers' favourite film and is one of mine too. However, I do not think that it is the best Carry on film. Nevertheless, it is certainly unmissable.
My rating:- 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Written by Graeme Huggan.
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