Wendy Toye (director)
Network (studio)
PG (certificate)
105 minutes (length)
16 February 2015 (released)
19 February 2015
When Dartmouth Naval College cadet Kenneth More sets sail for the high seas he saw nothing but excitement and a bright future. Instead he gets the sharp end of the stick and has slips and falls galore. Even when all seems to be on the floor he is chosen to join the USA navy in the Mediterranean and it all goes wrong again….
It is not that this isn’t funny, far from it. The humour is of a type that you will either get or will loath. The film is exactly like a classic British comedy of the period. Filled with the usual chaos and innuendo of the Carry on and Doctor film series that exist also in its orbit. You have the incompetence of the lead character and yes, he is doing his best to overcome his own idiocy. This in itself is hard work and can get a little wearing. Then you have the guff and bluff of the superior officers, these are stereotypes of the kind you usually see at this time. My point is the film is not for the film viewer looking for a piece of art or the film watcher who has to see the many genres and styles of British cinema. It is however a film that if you go to it in the mind of having fun, then you will have fun.
In its defense, it is funny in places. Directed by a woman, which is a rarity to be celebrated. Has Kenneth More at his height of stardom and on his form as a comic genius. The script is funny and a little naughty, so much so it was censored on release. The other thing is it looks wonderful. This could be the transfer or the fact that the cinematographer was excellent and was probably doing this for the experience and / or money. Neither are a bad thing, in truth that is what made and still does make the film industry fun.
The DVD itself looks nice and has a limited amount of extras.
Galleries, Trailers and notes are available.
