Carry on Henry VIII (1971)
"Carry on Henry" (original title)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Gerald Thomas

Writer:

Talbot Rothwell (screenplay)

Stars:

Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sid James	...	King Henry VIII (as Sidney James)
Kenneth Williams	...	Thomas Cromwell
Charles Hawtrey	...	Sir Roger de Lodgerley
Joan Sims	...	Queen Marie
Terry Scott	...	Cardinal Wolsey
Barbara Windsor	...	Bettina
Kenneth Connor	...	Lord Hampton of Wick
Julian Holloway	...	Sir Thomas
Peter Gilmore	...	King Francis of France
Julian Orchard	...	Duc de Poncenay
Gertan Klauber	...	Bidet
David Davenport	...	Major Domo
Margaret Nolan	...	Buxom Lass
William Mervyn	...	Physician
Norman Chappell	...	First Plotter

Storyline

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...

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Plot Keywords:

sequel | king henry viii | historical fiction | innuendo | carry on | 

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Taglines:

A Great Guy with his Chopper

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

GP

Details

Official Sites:

Carry On Line

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1971 (UK)

Also Known As:

Carry on Henry VIII

Filming Locations:

Black Park, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rank Organisation, The, Peter Rogers Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Harry Secombe was considered for Henry VIII when it appeared that Sid James may not be available due to possible stage commitments.

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Goofs

At one point Henry and his courtiers are seen out riding in Windsor Great Park. However, many of the features of the Park and Windsor Castle in shot were not built until the mid-17th to early 19th centuries; for example, the Long Walk along which they are riding was constructed by Charles II in the 1660s, the trees were planted by William III in the 1680s, whilst the current south range of Windsor Castle's Upper Ward, and the upper story of the Castle's Round Tower, were built by George IV in the 1820s.

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Quotes

King Henry VIII: Her figure's all right. What about her face?
Thomas Cromwell: I am assured, sire, it is the fairest in all Normandy.
King Henry VIII: What about her...
[indicates hourglass figure]
Thomas Cromwell: The fullest in all Normandy.
King Henry VIII: Has she been chaste?
Thomas Cromwell: All over Normandy.

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Crazy Credits

This film is based on a recently discovered manuscript by one William Cobbler which reveals the fact that Henry VIII did in fact have two more wives. Although it was at first thought that Cromwell originated the story, it is now known to be definitely all Cobbler's........ from beginning to end.

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Connections

Followed by Carry on Abroad (1972)

User Reviews

Plays fast and loose with history but who cares?

The Carry On Gang's unofficial leader, Sidney James, is rather preposterously miscast as Henry VIII in this bawdy episode from the infamous monarch's life. Here the great tyrant appears as, well, Sidney James - a pint-sized, working class heel with a mug only a mother could love - chasing tavern wenches and princesses alike with equal-opportunity horniness. The production values are surprisingly good here, for a series that was basically a run of second features, with excellent candle-lit cinematography evoking the period, and everybody seems comfortable in period costume. Kenneth Williams pulls his usual turn as a cowardly schemer that you just know will get in the cogs of his own machine once the usual zaniness starts to get going. Joan Sims, as was often the case, is along to bring the production its occasional moment of class between calamities.