Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Regardless of which title it goes by, this film is enjoyable- though somewhat tepid for a Carry On full throttle. I remember watching it as a child - but as an adult now, I'm more appreciative of the story line (yes, there is one), the clever innuendos and British humour charged double entendres: Nookie, Nocker, camp 68, Mustapha Leke, Le Pice. I've no idea why Carry Ons haven't been big in North America- suppose that's why Sergeant Bilko-Phil Silvers was drafted in - and he does very well to hold his own. Carry-Ons are more Are You Being Served rather than Monty Python. The other cast members Dale, Williams, Butterworth, Hawtrey are once again, superb examples of their craft - particularly impressive is the turn of the ever reliable Williams as the German commandant, as is Bresslaw as the excellent Arab chief. As I have mentioned, this is rather carry-on lite - subdued perhaps owing to the absence of Sid James, and or indeed to less screen time to women though they do get a fair bit compensatory exposure. Anita Harris is a revelation, but Angela Douglas is a bit more staid in this - the late great Joan Sims with and emphatic character presence is unfortunately and inexplicably underused and muted.What also must be noted, is the eerily prophetic/authentic terrorism theme. How harmless then - but the same thinking is a driver now. (The Arabic is impressively authentic though the words are in the wrong order! and some bizarre 'abdul' (actually means 'slave of'...)is made cultic. All in all, an understated Carry On but doesn't let you down too much.

The second and final "Carry On" film without those words in the title, this is a major improvement over the decidedly lacklustre "Don't Lose Your Head". In an attempt to appeal to the American market, Phil Silvers was cast in the lead role. While he is extremely funny as Sgt. Nocker (who is basically Sgt. Bilko in all but name), his presence made little difference to the film's box office takings. He is not on the same level as the series' best guest lead Harry H. Corbett in "Carry on Screaming!" but he's not far behind either and is a great addition to the film. The dialogue is suitably ribald and witty while the difficult journey to the fort is the funniest extended sequence in the film.In his eighth "Carry On" appearance, Jim Dale gets his best role so far as Bo West, a parody of "Beau Geste", and he forms half of a great double act with Peter Butterworth as his dim-witted valet turned fellow legionnaire Simpson. Of the cast members from the older films, Kenneth Williams gets the most and the best material as the hilariously cod German accented Commandment Burger, a great parody of stuffy 19th / early 20th Century Prussian officer types. As ever, Charles Hawtrey does what he does brilliantly and Joan Sims has some of the film's best lines as Zig-Zig. Bernard Bresslaw plays Abdul Abulbul - you could write a song about someone with that name! - fairly straight and is very effective in the role, his towering height serving to make the Sheikh even more intimidating. As in "Carry On Cowboy", Angela Douglas makes for a rather dull female lead. However, the absence of Sid James was noticeable, as were the continued absences of Kenneth Connor and Hattie Jacques. At least two of them return in the next film "Carry On Doctor"!

Follow That Camel is the fourteenth of Carry On Series, which sees the Carry On gang join the French Foreign Legion. With Sid James being unavailable for the part of Sergeant Knocker, it was up to Peter Rodgers & Gerald Thomas to find a perfect lead. At this time Rodgers & Thomas thought this was a perfect opportunity to try & break the Carry On's into the American market by casting an American in the lead. Originally the first choice to play the lead was Woody Allen, however it was said Allen wanted to much money. Eventually producers managed to convince Sgt Bilko star Phil Silvers to take the lead. The part of Knocker was tailored to the style of Bilko.The rest of the Carry On regulars are present, Jim Dale as Bo West, Peter Butterworth as Simpson, Kenneth Williams as Commandant Burger, Angela Douglas as Lady Jane, Charles Hawtrey as Captain Le Pice, Joan Sims as Zig-Zig, Anita Harris as Corktip & Bernard Bresslaw as Abdul.Finally the review, I have to say Follow That camel is not the greatest of Carry on's, in fact I'd go as far as calling it one of the forgotten Carry On's. When you mention to people the title to this one, people seem to say "Is that the one with Phil Silvers in?". And that's probably what I mean, because apart from Phil Silvers presents not a lot of things in this stick out. The film feels a lot like Up The Khyber which we see a couple of films down the line, in fact a lot of things in this feels like it gets recycled in that, right from the plot to the actually scenery which you would probably recognize. The only thing you don't have in Up The Khyber is a Sgt Knocker character around.One thing to mention about this is Kenneth Williams for once is playing a slightly less Campy role than usual. In fact he's playing a straight strict Commandant. At times when you watch this, you get this feeling your not watching Carry On, its like watching Columbus but with gang present if you get my drift. The film is funny yes, there's is the odd good one liner, I did enjoy the desert bit which sees them on a long trek across the desert to Fort Zuassantneuf, oh and "Musthavealeak"What about Phil Silvers? Silvers performance is okay, I think his presents was good for a one off, I do feel if he had appeared in a another one it wouldn't haven't worked, as mentioned he was playing Bilko in this with a different name and looking at the other Carry On's I don't know where he would have fit in plus people may got sick of his Bilko character keep popping up in the carry on's. His character in this is just right really. Another thing to mention is during production Silvers health wasn't particularly great and his mind was going, cause of this Silvers permanently kept forgetting his lines and it forced producers to hold up his lines alongside the camera. Where does this film fail? I just feel there isn't a great deal to remember in this, yeah the regulars put in a good performance and can't fault that but as mentioned it doesn't feel like a Carry On.The film is watchable and far from the worst, yeah of course give it a look in. It's not one of the carry on's where you'd probably watch it again and again, you'd probably need a few years gap. If Sid had been here would it have been different? I dunno maybe if Sid was present it would have felt more like a Carry On, however put it this way if he was in this then Up The Khyber probably wouldn't have been so great.

The Carry On films represent a particular type of English humour. They are slapstick rather than intellectual, but often show a degree of humanity and pathos lacking in American slapstick. For years it has been customary to condemn Carry On as being low-brow and low-budget. They certainly were low budget, particularly compared with their American equivalents, but they compare favourably with the American movies.It was a mistake to introduce Phil Silvers into this film. He gives the impression over overacting, whereas the British actors are merely camp. His style of humour is crass rather than subtle. Some have said that he dominated the film. He does not. He detracts from it.This is an enjoyable movie, though undemanding.