Carry on Henry VIII (1971) User Reviews (33)

Decent historical comedy

[Hayden-86055 · 5/10 · 3 May 2021]

Not the best of the carry on films but not the worst either, Sid James and Barbara Windsor still have a lot of chemistry and there's lots of references to the Tudors here (even if some are a bit out of place like Guy Fawkes and the guillotine!) It's not that memorable and I found myself a bit bored whilst watching it, but there's worse films and it's ok.

5/10: Average.

A Good Carry On Film

[crossbow0106 · 7/10 · 24 November 2008]

This farce about Henry the VIII is perfect fodder for the Carry On group. This film has the core cast which made the best Carry Ons. It stars the irrepressible Sid James as the king, along with the always fun to watch Kenneth Williams as Cromwell. That duo made the best Carry Ons, they just seemed to always work well together. Add in the always welcome Joan Sims, the always bubbly Barbara Windsor and the also welcome Charles Hawtrey as Sir Roger and you know you're going to enjoy this. There have been better Carry On films, and the film carries the usual sexual innuendos and once in a while too cheap laughs, but with this cast it hardly matters. Seek this out.

right royal fun

[petersj-2 · 7/10 · 20 October 2008]

This is a fabulously funny send up of history and the Carry on cast are in great form. Leading the fun is Sid James who plays Sid James playing Henry. Sid always played Sid and when he was in top form as a lovable rogue or old lecherous womaniser few could be better. He is wonderful here and I agree with others here who say the old boy was born to play this part. It is his movie but he does get great support. The great stalwarts are there Williams, Hawtrey and Sims. There's lovely work from Terry Scott. A real stand out is a brilliant cameo from an actor I know little about. Julian Orchard is brilliant and he camps it up deliciously.What a superb actor this man is, must read more about him. He had me in stitches. I normally found Kenneth Connor annoying but in this he shows he was actually a good actor when he was not stuck playing annoying mannerisms and clichés. His slap stick in other movies is awful and unfunny, here is restrained and good to watch. The carry on movies are attacked because they objectify women and are not politically correct. Not so. If you look at the movies very carefully surely it's at least commendable that the sexy women are not the anorexic women cast as sex idols today. Barbara Windsor is superb in this. She always was. She is certainly sexy but she was a full rounded, buxom woman with womanly features. She was not a match stick. The carry on movies are never given credit for this.Today anorexia is rife amongst young women and the carry on movies showed that you do not have to be slim to be sexy. Windsor was and even today is sexy. A glamorous great star.

The gag of the garlic does not work today because this was made at a time when garlic was not something popular with the conservative English diet. Today we have all developed a love and taste for garlic. Back then it was exotic and most people, including those who never tried it, hated it.It was odd continental stuff and it stunk. We are all over that now. Garlic actually smells quite sexy, especially if you both are eating it. We also know its very good for you, natrures medicine. It was never eaten here in Australia until Italians immigrated. So its odd to us today to quite connect with the attitude that garlic was something horrible. Henry is however a classic Carry On and I loved it. The pace of the movie is zesty and crackles along brightly. It looks great with lovely costumes and sets. The music is wonderful. Its one of the best. I loved it.

The best ever film about Tudor Britain, entertainment as Shakespeare would have known it.

[alice liddell · 17 September 1999]

For most spoofs, the holy grail is to make so ridiculous the subject of attack that it will be impossible to take it seriously again. AIRPLANE! achieved this with the AIRPORT series, admittedly an easy target. CARRY ON HENRY may not have had quite the same effect - such is the unshakeable British obsession with the past, one of the film's main targets - but it's always nice to see that someone else found A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS and THE LION IN WINTER to be pompous tripe as well.

HENRY, like CARRY ON UP THE KHYBER, is an example of a modest franchise miraculously finding an appropriate subject and creating a work of art. It may lack the jawdropping Bunuellian genius of KHYBER, but it has its own juicy pleasures. The jokes are franker than were usual at this point, but clever rather than crude, and funny when they were crude.

This is also the last time the cast would be as brilliant as this - a well-oiled machine perfectly in control of the material. Kenneth Williams is aptly, hilariously Machiavellian; Charles Hawtrey is endearingly inappropriate as the brave knight and lover who undergoes all sorts of horrible tortures for his Queen - the heterosexual potency of these obviously gay stars are an uproarious counterpoint to the macho King's unsuccessful promiscuity. Joan Sims is glorious as ever as the ample, lascivious, French, garlic-obsessed Queen. But it is the godlike Sid James who rightly walks away with the film, cinema's best ever King Henry. The merging of his usual persona - the chuckling lecher who is repeatedly thwarted in his amorous endeavours (itself a remarkable comment of tyranny throughout the ages), married to a sex-mad woman he can't abide - with the portrayal of an historical icon creates satire of great depth.

Whereas the aforementined, Oscar-garlanded pageants are rigidly respectful of English history, HENRY is breezily sceptical. Rather than search for continuity with the past, or examine various notions of Englishness, HENRY is very modern in its rejection of a certain kind of history, the meticulous reconstruction of a mythic past that can teach us about the present. HENRY knows that the past can only be viewed through the prism of the present, that history is a fluid, ever vanishing, entity, always reinterpreted to each generation's needs. The film quite clearly sets out its stall of bogusnes - it is based on recently discovered documents by William Cobbler - only to show how unreliable our grasp of history is; how it's always told in somebody's vested interests, at the expense of someone else.

The film therefore prefigures the awesome Monty Python deconstructions of the 70s, with jokes about the Labour government, and with King's wenches who demand payment before favours, and whose fathers complain about taxation. The reduction here of English history to an aristorcratic bedroom farce is a more profound insight than any 'serious' epic has ever managed.

Henry Tudor just got ruder!

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 19 July 2015]

The 21st film of the long running Carry On series is a bawdy trip into the court of King Henry VIII (Sid James). The King has recently married Queen Marie of Normandy (Joan Sims) but since she eats too much garlic, thus putting the King off his conjugal rights, he plots to get her out the way. However, he must tread carefully as a war with France could easily arise should anything happen to the Queen.

Some of the best colour Carry On movies would turn out to be set in an historical period. Carry On Henry is not one of the best from the historical romps, but it's a goodie and for those who like the saucy side of the series then it has plenty of appeal.

The presence of James on womanising and boozing form, and Barbara Windsor doing her no brain all sexuality act, gives this entry its saucy soul, while Terry Scott (superb visual ticks), Kenny Williams (a continuously wonderful foil for Scott) and Charles Hawtrey mince about with gleeful abandon. The energy of the comedy is high and sustained throughout, while the art design and costuming is regal in production. The gunpowder plot forms a side-bar narrative, which is joyous but also shows us that Kenneth Connor is sadly under used, but the innuendo and purposely groan inducing gags are always on hand to tickle the senses of those so inclined towards this splinter of the popular British institution. 7/10

Not For The Woke!

[damianphelps · 6/10 · 28 March 2021]

Carry on films are a throw back to another era, cheeky saucy humour abound.

The cast are all over the style of the film yet they still keep it fresh considering each film is basically the same jokes.

You could see how the films can be considered degrading to women but its so overt and without malice that its doable, plus the girls are equally capable of giving it back.

C on H is a fun plot but don't expect Hamlet lol.

This was the first time I had re-watched a Carry On film for a couple of decades and I had some fun with it.

Give one a go :)

Plays fast and loose with history but who cares?

[dave13-1 · 6/10 · 13 April 2012]

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.

Entertaining entry in the comedy franchise

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 7 September 2009]

Carry on Henry is an entertaining enough entry in the comedy franchise, but I don't think it is as good as Carry on Cleo, Carry on Screaming or Carry On Up the Khyber. It is true that Talbot Rothwell's script isn't the sharpest one on the block, though there are some great one liners("it's all cock and no pea") and some priceless scenes, especially the ones with Barbara Windsor. Sid James is suitably merry as the monarch of the title, and Kenneth Williams is hilarious as always. Barbara Windsor looked lovely and also gives a very funny performance. The direction and photography have little fault, perhaps a little leisurely with the former, likewise with the scenery and costumes which were both very nice. However while there is evidence of making the jokes funny, the plot isn't as impressive, it had a tendency to become slow and unfocused. Still it is very enjoyable, so I will give it a 7/10. Bethany Cox

Wives and duffers

[Lejink · 3/10 · 2 October 2013]

On paper this could have been one of the funniest Carry On features, with plum parts for Sid James as Henry VIII and Kenneth Williams as the King's schemer-supreme Thomas Cromwell, but after the written prologue which describes what follows as a load of old Cobblers, I found little else to amuse me in this irreverent romp through Tudor England. This time, I found the bombardment of unsubtle innuendo and the casually sexist treatment of women in the film to be predictable and wearing, with too few funny lines to alleviate the smutty stream which pretty much permeates the whole film.

All the women are treated as sexual objects and are all, it seems, dressed with low-cut gowns leaving the menfolk to gawk at and grope them at will. Like so many other low-brow British comedies of the time on screens both big and small, this un-P.C outlook towards females really has dated very badly and lacks the saving grace of genuinely funny gags.

Old troopers like James, Williams and Joan Sims try hard but even with them it's possible to detect a discernible going through the motions and by the time we get to see Barbara Windsor's bare bottom well into the film, it's obvious that the series's best days are behind it (no pun intended).

At its best, as in say, "Carry On Cleo", "Carry On Cowboy" or "Carry On Up The Khyber", the series had lots of funny characters and a ready, typically saucy British seaside humour which made them easy to watch and chuckle along to. However this jaded effort really lets the side down and makes for a weak entry in its long-running history.

Just an average Carry On film. There are much better ones.

[RogerMooreTheBestBond · 6/10 · 19 July 2009]

I have seen this film one other time. I remembered it being an OK film. That is how I feel after watching it again. Sid James plays Henry VIII. He does a fine job as always. His helpers or crew consist of Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey and Terry Scott. I only really liked Kenneth Williams here. He had some funny moments. Terry Scott just did not work as a cardinal. Sid has his wives beheaded when they start to displease him. His new wife is played by Joan Sims. He is ready to hit the hay with her and she eats some garlic right before they make love. She thinks it's a necessity for love making, while Sid hates it. He wants to chop her head off as well, but he does not want to risk war by doing it. His helpers try and try to get him more women and they end up making things worse. The final scene has Kenneth and Terry at the guillotine. He offers to let them live if they can help him find another woman. They choose the beheading. I did like the ending, but this is just above average.

One of the weakest

[Leofwine_draca · 4/10 · 15 July 2015]

CARRY ON HENRY is, for me, one of the weakest of the entire Carry On film series. I always find their costume adventures slightly stodgy, but they usually make up for this with a witty script and great humour (the bit with Charles Hawtrey on the guillotine receiving the letter in CARRY ON DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD always springs to mind). Unfortunately, CARRY ON HENRY came at a time when the wit was in short supply and the genuine laughs were outweighed five to one by an incessant array of lowbrow jokes and obvious humour.

The inimitable Sid James stars as Henry VIII, dealing with a couple of extra wives thanks to the machinations of Talbot Rothwell. Thus he has to deal with a garlic-munching Joan Sims and an often-naked Barbara Windsor as a young lady-in-waiting who he sets his sights on. James is as fantastic as ever, and there are a couple of fine supporting roles from a nostrilly Kenneth Williams and a constantly gurning Terry Scott, but otherwise the film as a whole feels quite limited.

The authenticity is present in the shape of some fantastic costumes and sets, and there are some nice, if minor, performances from an oddly dignified Kenneth Connor and Charles Hawtrey. I'm still not quite sure what Bill Maynard's Guy Fawkes was doing in this period, but there you go. As expected, there's a ton of bawdy humour - the scene with Margaret Nolan in the barn is literally eye-popping - but as a whole the jokes seem to have been recycled from earlier entries (the bit with the water sprays from the body and the "up yours" joke, for instance). Thankfully the Carry Ons would return to form with their next three (contemporary) entries in the franchise, the triple whammy of CARRY ON AT YOUR CONVENIENCE, CARRY ON ABROAD, and CARRY ON MATRON.

Henry VIII and the garlic munching Queen !!

[coltras35 · 8/10 · 15 July 2021]

This account of Henry VIII 's marital problems covers an area of history that isn't in the history books, his marriage with garlic munching Marie de Normandy ( the excellent Joan Sims) and Queen Bettina ( the late great Barbara Windsor) has never been revealed untill now. This funny carry on romp also stars Kenneth Williams as Thomas Cromwell, and Terry Scott as cardinal wolsey, Charles Hawtrey as a knight (!) and lover of Queen Marie and Kenneth Connors. It's bawdiness is quite frank, but its not overly crude and the one liners are well written and quipped by the Carry on team. It's enjoyable from beginning to end - the sets and costumes come across authentic. The torture sequence with Hawtrey getting a stretch for a confession and the confession getting ripped up by Henry is hilarious.

A Henry like you've never seen before

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 10 December 2013]

With such people as Charlton Heston, Richard Burton, Robert Shaw, and Montagu Love playing Henry VIII you get the idea it's both a plumb role and a serious part. But the big screen never a Henry VIII like the one that Sidney James gives us in Carry On Henry VIII.

Henry gets a couple extra wives in this one, dropped nicely between Anne of Cleves and Catherine Howard. One's going to the block as the film opens. After that James gets a present of French princess Joan Sims cousin of King Francis I of France and that seems like a good bet to solidify an alliance.

But on the wedding night it turns out Henry can't stand her garlic breath. Not only is it on all that French food, but the woman uses it like chewing gum. James is set to fling her out and he lights on a new truly bosomy queen for his taste.

But that upsets the balance of power in Europe. Not to mention the machinations of Kenneth Williams as Thomas Cromwell and Terry Scott as Cardinal Wolsey.

Then there's poor Charles Hawtrey who is the king's equerry and Queen Sims believes that her needs come first if the king isn't meeting them, maybe Hawtrey will. That was quite the seduction scene.

Medieval England never saw history like this, but Carry On Henry VIII gives out with a lot of laughs.

Carry On Henry

[Smalling-2 · 18 February 2000]

An unofficial tale about Henry VIII's two brief marriages between Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour.

The usual crude humour of the series is reasonably neglected in preference of real wit and poignancy, the acting shows unexpected sophistication, the dialogue sharp, and even the period detail seems stimulatingly accurate in this surprisingly effective travesty of "Anne of the Thousand Days", "Lion in Winter", "A Man for All Seasons" and other British historical sagas. One of the best efforts of all concerned.

Carry On No. 21

[michaelarmer · 6/10 · 3 May 2020]

This is called Carry On Henry, its "new" title on here of .... Henry VIII' is bogus. But saying that it doesn't really matter because its a poor film, all Carry On films are situation comedies and this one is the Carry On's team version of Henry the eighth and his wives.

Its got too many sex jinks, heaving breasts and the like, and not enough in the way of comedy, screenplay is poor, the story of the time is more interesting, its got too many daft moments and Sid James who is lead actor again cackles too much.

The other regulars in this are Ken Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Terry Scott, Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Connor, Julian Holloway, Peter Gilmore, Patsy Rowlands, Peter Butterworth, Bill Maynard and Margaret Nolan. One of the extras, Norman Chappell you might not know, but he had been in 3 Carry On's starting with ....Cabby' and with ....Loving', this was his last however he was later in the 'Carry On Laughing' TV series and the 'Bless This House' film which was made by the same team, Norman was in many Films and TV programmes, but all in small roles, he sadly passed away in 1883 of a heart attack just after completing 6 episodes of a TV series., he was only 57. Another was Julian Orchard, Julian played the Duc De Poncenay, he had done 4, and also 'Bless This House', he passed away even younger at 49 in 1979!

Other small role actors in this that had done a few were Derek Francis, Billy Cornelius and Gertan Klauber.

Despite this one being a bit poor it, was still watchable and worth it just to see the large number of Carry On regulars, Hattie Jacques, who might have raised it a little was not in it though, and they could have done with a Dilys Laye/Angela Douglas/Liz Fraser actor in it, to raise it on the pretty stakes, Barbara Windsor might be bubbly, but not a great looker. Joan Sims looked good though.

Carry on Henry

[CinemaSerf · 6/10 · 26 July 2023]

..or "Carry on History"? Henry VIII (Sid James) manages to squeeze in two extra wives into this daft historical romp that sees Cardinal Wolsey (Terry Scott) and Lord Chancellor Cromwell (Kenneth Williams) having to run the gauntlet of the King's pleasure as he marries "Marie" (Joan Sims) then decides he needs to divorce her for "nonconsumption" so he can marry the playful young "Bettina" (Barbara Windsor). It's off with their heads a-plenty as the lustful king plays politics and romance much to the chagrin of his officials, and I thought - in quite an entertaining fashion. The script is riddled with double-entendres, but they are actually quite a bit cleverer this time and Williams, James and the often underused Charles Hawtrey (poor old "Sir Roger") deliver this film well enough. This was certainly one of my favourites from this gang - it looks good and maybe Guy Faulkes should have watched it first?

Garlic breath!!!

[jimbo-53-186511 · 7/10 · 15 January 2023]

Having just wed his bride Queen Marie, King Henry VIII is keen to consummate their marriage. However, his newly betrothed absolutes loves garlic and seemingly consumes it with everything (leaving her with stinky garlic breath). Not happy about this, Henry sets about trying to find himself a new wife, but has to be sneaky in getting Marie out of the picture so as not to start a war with her cousin Francis, King of France...

Out of all the Carry On films that I've seen thus far Henry is not a personal favourite of mine, but there are still plenty of laughs to be found. I'm sure many have spotted some historical inaccuracies in the picture (such as Guy Fawkes being around at the same time as Henry VIII when he was clearly born much later). Given the fact that this is historical farce and due to the notable disclaimer at the start I presume that said inaccuracies are deliberate and have been done for laughs as opposed to errors on the screenwriters part. Anyway I digress...

Sid James has a lot of fun in a role which I feel suits him best in the franchise; a caddish rogue. As the film progresses, you can see him back himself further and further into a corner until it gets to the point where he can effectively hide no more. The supporting cast are also good; Joan Sims, Charles Hawtrey, Kenneth Williams and the like are all good in their respective roles (though what happens to Hawtrey after he goes into the rack is very funny).

The script is pretty good and whilst it's perhaps not the wittiest script in the Carry On universe (some of the sight gags and the innuendo are a little too obvious here and a bit full on; whereas in other Carry On films these things have been more suggestive and a tad more subtle). They still work though and get the laughs, but sometimes a less is more approach can be more effective.

If you liked some of the Carry On's crews previous historical spoofs/farces then this won't disappoint you as there's plenty to like and the cast here are all on top form. In my opinion, this is not the best of the Carry On's, but is still a very strong entry.

HONOURABLE MENTION: Margaret Nolan for making her few minutes of screen time in this film oh so memorable :-)

If this was we get from a good movie...

[GiraffeDoor · 7/10 · 18 March 2022]

One of the relatively better ones. Polished and funny with swell production values.

The plot is simple (good) and it's pleasing to try and see Sid James try and seduce Peggy again. You get some good cleavage and some butt here in case you don't like that kind of thing when watching with your family (or do enjoy it when they're gone).

Got To Disagree

[Theo Robertson · 5/10 · 20 April 2003]

You know what to expect with a CARRY ON film : A repertory of comedy actors , nudge nudge wink wink humour involving double entrendes and a few laughs too . Unfortunately I`ve got to disagree with most of the comments here and say I don`t rate CARRY ON HENRY as one of the better films in the series and after the very funny caption " Mind my chopper " ( Which absolutely no one outside Britain will get ) the laughs are few and far between as the plot revolves around King Henry and his marital troubles . It should be pointed out that all the best CARRY ON films like Up The Kyber , Screaming and Cleo had been made before this which probably indicates the series had run out of steam

OOH, err!

[bbeni · 7/10 · 7 April 2023]

This film is heavily a product of its time. After an extremely restrictive era of sexual repression in the 1950s and early 60s, the British were rabid for this irreverent sexually explicit comedy. It was very corny and obvious but at the time, very popular. Now, it is very dated and OTT. But it is still an important part of British cinematic history, as it perfectly encapsulates a very specific moment in British history - the transition between 1950s conservatism and reverence to established authority and the irreverence of late 60s-early 70s British society. This irreverence has remained, for the most part, ever since, although the youngest generation are not so prone to alcoholism and drug taking (except laughing gas). I'm sure there will be another rebellion quite soon as society tends to work in cycles.

Carrying On Inappropriately...

[Xstal · 1/10 · 29 December 2023]

Carrying On Inappropriately with Carry on Henry.

A series of films carried on, with perpetual double entendre, loved to finger an organ, unleash melons to gorge on, baps, flaps, jugs, bazookas went ding dong.

Though it's not quite so funny today, Fanny plays with her balls in new ways, Dick's choppers been cut, Kitty's curtains are shut, the clams gone from splayed to being spayed.

What an awful sequence of films these were, revisited today, they demonstrate just how out of touch and offensive the so called humour of yesteryear was, and how a generation of inappropriate behaviour was considered acceptable.

Carrying On Inappropriately with Carry on Henry.

Carry On Some More

[sexy_pisces_gal · 10/10 · 8 July 2005]

From the writers of Carry On comes this fantastic and comical portrayal of King Henry VIII (Sid James) and his French Queen Marie (Joan Sims). Henry VIII of Great Britain has just married the French princess Marie and is eager to consummate the marriage- until he finds she has a taste for the revolting garlic. Rather then give it up, the Queen holds the garlic close and Henry orders the marriage annulled, prompting his close ministers Cromwell (Kenneth Williams) and Wolsey (Terry Scott) to battle it out together. But when it revealed the Queen is pregnant, a hilarious battle of wit and trust degenerates into lust and blackmail. And when a pretty lady (Barbara Windsor) enters Henrys court he makes up his mind to marry her, with hilarious consequences. Although skimpy on facts this comedy is definitely one of the top three from the legendary Carry On crew, which will have you rolling in laughter for years.

Nicely paced funny comedy

[Rrrobert · 7/10 · 29 August 2020]

Funny historical parody.

The clever and cohesive story focuses mainly on the characters played by Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, Terry Scott who are all great. Sims and Scott play divergent characters - Sims is the lusty and desirable Marie of France with a naughty French accent and Scott all bugging eyes and blundering.

Charles Hawtrey, Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Connor, Julian Holloway, Peter Gilmore are also good, in supporting roles. Peter Butterworth has a one-scene cameo.

The story idea of the English having a phobia of garlic is a neat parody.

Carry On Henry

[jboothmillard · 5/10 · 1 September 2009]

The story of Henry VIII and his six wives is one of the most famous in history, and it is also quite a predictable one that the Carry On team would spoof. Basically King Henry VIII (Sid James) married Queen Marie of Normandy (Joan Sims), after killing current wife (Patsy Rowlands), but before they can consummate the marriage he finds she is eating too much garlic, and he wants a divorce. Henry now has to find a way to get ride of her, and wants someone to have an affair with her and confess to it, and Sir Roger De Lodgerley (Charles Hawtrey) may have just helped do it. Henry soon finds himself enjoying the company of a woman again with the lovely Bettina (Barbara Windsor), daughter of Charles the Earl of Bristol (Peter Butterworth). Meanwhile, the King's trusted friends Thomas Cromwell (Kenneth Williams) and Lord Hampton of Wick (Kenneth Connor) plan to kidnap and end the life of the King, but this fails, and they are sentenced to be beheaded in the end. Although, Henry stopped the sentence, wanting their help with another woman, they decided it's best they die. Also starring Terry Scott as Cardinal Wolsey, Julian Holloway as Sir Thomas, Peter Gilmore as King Francis of France and Star Wars' David Prowse as Beared Torturer. The innuendos are pretty average standard, it doesn't have the biggest amount of slapstick comedy, and the performances are okay, so it's not a complete waste of time. Worth watching!

Basic but broadly funny spoof that stands out as being one of the better film in the series

[bob the moo · 27 March 2005]

The story told by this film is based on a manuscript discovered by one William Cobbler which reveals that Henry VIII did in fact have two more wives. Although it was first thought that Cromwell originated the story, it is now known to be definitely all Cobbler's – from beginning to end. With the beheading of his most recent wife, Henry hopes that new bride Queen Marie of Normandy will, erm, give it up to him in the bedroom. Things are going great until her habit of eating garlic all the time turns out to be a major turn-off on their first night together and Henry demands the wedding be annulled. Sadly the Pope has taken a stance and makes this impossible so Henry just tries to get some where he can and avoid his new Queen. Meanwhile a group of conspirators conspire to remove Henry from the throne as they see him as an embarrassment to England on the world stage.

Although the 1970's saw the death of the Carry On series, this film is an example in the sort of vehicle that produced the team's most enjoyable work – namely a subject that is ripe for irreverent spoofing but yet produces an acceptable narrative at the same time. The worst of the series are the films that have little effort put into them and just seem to be a collection of uninspired pratfalls and crudity – of course those that dislike the whole series will argue that the best of the series pretty much consists of exactly that but I would disagree! Although hardly high art, Henry sends up the English historical dramas with good humour, providing a very basic plot with jokes that are suggestively rude without being out and out crude to any detrimental extent. The humour is not the sharpest you'll see (to say the least!) but it is at least witty and quite well delivered by the usual cast.

James moulds Henry in the image of his own Carry On personae and it comes off well (oh-err). He is enjoyably rowdy although not above the standard of his usual work in this series. Williams is better because he uses his usual delivery well and has plenty of good lines; likewise Terry Scott is enjoyable in a supporting role. Sims is feisty and always suited the younger, sexual roles rather than the later "nagging wife" stuff she was put into. Hawtrey minces around the edges and gets some cheeky laughs with an easy performance while Windsor plays it all up front as usual! Support from Connor, Gilmore and others is good and the lot of them pretty much match the irreverent tone of the material.

Overall this is not a fantastic nor a hilarious comedy but it is still one of the better in the Carry On series. The cast are mostly on board with serviceable performances that delivery the material well with a constant wink to the audience. The material sits within an acceptable narrative and good sets/costumes and the jokes are witty and funny, avoiding the uninspired crudity that would later kill the series.