The Boys in Blue (1983) User Reviews (23)

Rock on Tommy!!

[Red-Barracuda · 4/10 · 13 December 2014]

I first saw The Boys in Blue at the cinema when I was a youngster. Even at that age I wasn't a fan of the comedy duo Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball, who I found quite clearly unfunny. But my friend was a big fan so I went along to the cinema with him and his granny, with little enthusiasm. But lo and behold, I remember finding it absolutely hilarious, my friend's granny declaring that she was also surprised and that this was definitely the best thing Cannon and Ball had ever did. So I always had a bit of fondness for this film and eventually saw it for the second time a few years ago, unfortunately that time finding it to be one of the worst films I had ever seen; I was staggered and disappointed in my ten year old self for having ever found it such a chuckle-fest. Anyway, recently I saw it once more and feel I can be a little more measured and say that the truth lies somewhere in between. It's a lightly amusing bit of nonsense that really isn't all that bad at all.

In it Cannon and Ball star as two policemen from a small crime-free town. They fabricate a crime in order to safe-guard their jobs but immediately find themselves in the midst of a scheme involving real thieves. The whole point of the film is to give the duo free reign to display their usual comedy thing. In the early 80's these guys were big TV stars you have to remember but the transition to the big screen never really happened for them and I don't think this film did particularly well. It's pretty broad humour to say the least so don't look for subtlety here. But really it's okay in a Tuesday afternoon kind of way. My friend's granny was right; this is the best thing Cannon and Ball ever did.

Val Guests worst movie?

[torrascotia · 4/10 · 3 November 2020]

If you have even heard of this movie then you likely have already seen it and it was a long time ago. Nostalgia is the only valid reason to watch this film. While it seems to have been forgotten by British TV it has resurfaced on YouTube. The reviews are mixed between rose tinted nostalgia and flat out hatred for what is a very shoddy piece of work. This was made by veteran director Val Guest, so why does this Cannon and Ball vehicle stink? I think the answer is Cannon and Ball. Now while they are experienced comics they simply cannot act. There are brief moments which are funny when they are doing what is there stage act while being filmed, but the majority of the film is them trying to act out scenes and cover the story. They simply aren't up to the job of an actor and it sucks the enjoyment out of the film. It looks like but was filmed on a shoestring budget and there are a few action scenes which are actually pretty boring. They must have spent a fair amount of the budget on the dodgy theme song at the end which if I recall was released as a single? Unless 1970s comedy is your thing, in which case you are likely in your 70s or 80s the humour is unlikely to appeal. Things like looking up a woman's skirt while she is on a ladder etc is the level on offer. You can only recommend this for people who want a second exposure to this movie not having seen it since 1982. There's a pretty good reason why it's not troubled the airwaves since then unlike many other 80s comedies. Although I'm sure with the passing of Bobby Ball this week it will get a few viewers. Now all I need to do is figure out how to delete all those Cannon and Ball recommendations on YouTube I have been lumbered with after sitting through Boys in Blue.....

The Boys In Blue

[wilsonstuart-32346 · 5/10 · 4 November 2019]

Since Cannon and Ball were quite a popular duo back in the late 1970's - mid 1980s, it was no surprise they got their own film version; in C & B case theirs was a loose remake of Will Hay's 'Ask A Policeman' (which I have not seen).

I could go on about the flaws and pacing - and I won't take any issue there - but this is a just silly comedy from a bygone era. I can watch this on an afternoon as a bit of harmless, undemanding viewing - and the various cameoes are quite fun.

But I take issue with the criticism that this is the worst British film ever, etc. A masterpiece it is not, but I could name half a dozen that a far, far worse....

Nadir Of The British Film Industry.

[lordwoodbine · 2 April 2002]

An appallingly stilted remake of a Will Hay classic (Ask A Policeman) featuring two comedians who look extremely uncomfortable outside the comforts of the TV studio or theatre. Compulsive viewing for anyone wishing to relive the nadir of the British film industry when TV tie-ins were considered a good investment. This film betrays it's limited budget in a number of ways particularly as it has the 'can't afford to wait for a sunny day' syndrome that adds a depressing gloom to so many British movies of this period. No laughs, no fun, nothing.

those who give it 10 out of 10 - Dear God, please take them away!

[Scotthannaford1 · 1/10 · 28 April 2006]

"Ask a Policeman" was Will Hay's third best movie, full of wit and charm with three excellent lead actors. This remake is dreadful and it is a huge shame that it was directed by Val Guest, considering he role in making Hay such a star.

Cannon and Ball - dear God, no! Just get "Ask a Policeman", or better still get "Oh, Mr Porter", "Bones of the River" and "Convict 99" and see how Val Guest and Will Hay combine to make masterpieces of British cinema.

Pass this by - it is dreadful. Please, keep walking...no go on...nothing to see here...

I am disgusted that anyone could give this a 10. I was going to score it 3 simply out of respect to Val Guest, but the fact that people are scoring it 10 - rating it as highly as Citizen Kane, The Godfather Part 2, Shawshank Redemption, African Queen etc is ridiculous. The acting from C&B is atrocious. The script is ludicrous - even the verbatim lines taken from Will Hay's classic seem ludicrous when C&B utter them, and it looks awful. I have to give it 1 to cancel out undeserved 10s.

Embarassingly awful

[tim_o_callaghan · 1/10 · 15 November 2001]

This is a truly dreadful film, and must surely constitute great veteran film-maker Val Guest's darkest hour. Terrible predictable dialogue, inept clowning, utterly unfunny. Unfortunately comedy can never be so bad it transcends awfulness (unlike films not intended to be funny, most famously 'Plan 9 from Outer Space'), they either work or they don't. This one was moribund from the start. Even the great duo of Morecambe & Wise never had much success with this type of film project, so imagine the hash the distinctly third rate Cannon and Ball make of things. Unfortunately even the presence of the usually reliable Roy Kinnear can not save this.

Is this the worst British film ever

[malcolmgsw · 1/10 · 29 October 2012]

this is a remake of a great will hay comedy "Ask A Policeman".However when they wrote the script for this heap of rubbish they must have edited the humour out.Everything is simply dire.Cannon and Ball simply cannot act their way out of a paper bag.The story is feeble and fine actors such as Roy Kinnear and Eric Sykes are totally wasted.The photography is similar to what you would expect on a TV sitcom and what on earth Val Guest was doing directing this film is beyond my ken.Was he that desperate to make a film that he signed on to this.that the rank Organisation were prepared to distribute it says a lot about their ambition at the time.Little surprise that their distribution arm closed within a short time.Everyone associated with this should be ashamed of themselves.

Is this the worst film ever made ?

[Guildgts · 1/10 · 18 February 2008]

...very probably ! I used to think films like Plan 9 from Outer Space were the worst films ever produced,but the thing is, they were made by enthusiastic ( although talentless!) amateurs. Films such as this, and of course my other nominee for all time worst, Inseminoid, were actually made by professionals and starred people who you would think would know better. The fact that Val Guest directed this and people such as Sykes and Kinnear agreed to appear is beyond comprehension, I can only assume that they were all struggling financially at the time. Having said that, I suppose anything with Cannon & Ball in it is bound to be utterly dreadful, but never the less this is truly appalling beyond belief.

A favourite from childhood that still makes me laugh today.

[jasufclndn · 7/10 · 13 November 2005]

Yes, I'm giving it 6 out of 10. I know it's not a classic in British cinema like the likes of Hawk the Slayer and Time Bandits but it's exactly what you would expect it to be. Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball making you laugh in a movie that is both ridiculous and achingly funny. The gags and set pieces and innuendos come thick and fast. Bobby Ball as the inept PC come Shopkeeper is just superb. The supporting cast of top British comedians of the time make up the typical 'ooh i say' feel of the classic British comedy. A favourite of mine and my sister's video collections it is now available on DVD in the UK. Haven't seen it advertised but I got mine from a local high street retailer for about a tenner.

Buy it and enjoy.

Well I liked it

[hoggers-1 · 10/10 · 21 April 2002]

I remember going to see this as a kid and at the time (i was 11) I loved it. Having seen it again recently I'm sorry to say that I again loved it. I know it's a bad film but there's something about it (or that period) that fills me with nostalgia and I suppose makes me smile. Ask a Policeman is of course a classic and far superior, however I'm afraid i like them both.....sorry

Funny remake of a funny film

[nmk2002uk · 7/10 · 21 June 2004]

The original version of this film (Will Hay's 'Ask A Policeman) was a classic. This, the remake, wern't as bad as some people said. Starring 80's comedy icons Cannon and Ball, the plot went that the two bungling policemen were in danger of losing their jobs because of the lack of crime in their little town of Little Bottom (pronounced Botham). Until some bad people start to steal a load of pricless paintings. The two start to investigate, even encountering a ufo along the way. I liked this film. I wish i could still get it. (I'm looking around for it but am unable to. If anyone knows where I can get a copy, type to this page, please!!! I will be in your debt!)

A classic comedy film

[Roverthemoon25 · 15 December 2004]

I recently bought this film on DVD and it is still as funny as watching the first time in the cinema. A mixture of slapstick and funny lines make this a film that only C&B fans will really appreciate and enjoy, you also get some great brit actors as well such as Roy Kinnear, Eric Sykes, Jack Douglas, Jon Pertwee and Arthur English. It is a remake of the Will Hay movie Ask A Policeman, although I can only vaguely remember the Will Hay version, it is a pretty simple plot to follow. C&B play two hapless policemen in the village of Little Bottom and they are called into some police work when art thieves try to smuggle out some stolen paintings. This will appeal to anyone who grew up in the 80's and enjoyed watching C&B

Speak first it's your money.........

[FlashCallahan · 7/10 · 13 July 2017]

Sgt. Cannon and PC Ball run the police station in the quiet town of Little Botham. When the station is threatened with closure due to a lack of crime, they decide to invent some crimes to justify their existence.

When they try to steal a painting from a local rich businessman, they accidentally stumble across a gang of real art thieves who have just stolen £1 million worth of paintings.

It is up to the two Saturday night light entertainers that your grandad liked to stop them escaping with their haul.......

The film is the Choc Ice of British cinema, cheap, barely tasteful, and leaves a horrible aftertaste, but you cannot help but watch for sheer nostalgia reasons.

This could have easily been a Saturday evening variety programme, the two comedians based in a police station, being visited by a special guest every episode dressed as something nautical, or as the toe would say 'Naughty-cal'.

It's not a very good film, but for pure nostalgia reasons, it entertains in a way that only people of a certain age would understand. Cannon and Ball were a staple in many families viewing in the eighties. They were funny, not at all crude, and everyone loved Bobby Ball because he was the silly one with all the catchphrases.

So obviously a cinematic outing for the two was inevitable, as this was a time when TV shows and British comedians were getting big screen releases willy nilly.

So the film is nothing more than the two dressed as policeman doing what they do on TV, with a little bit of the plot from 'Ask A Policemen' thrown in for good measure.

Many will sniff at the films existence, but then there are a few people like myself who really don't mind watching crass, mindless humour for ninety minutes to forget about the real world.

Rock on Tommy indeed.....

This is underrated!!

[kevinmcelligott · 10/10 · 12 March 2002]

I'm sorry but I have to say that this film fills me with so much joy! 20 years ago i watched this film as an innocent, now, whenever this cynical and weary mind needs to remember how good life is, i watch the boys in blue and all is well with the world. Its funny, its slapstick, its cannon and ball! God bless you Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball. I, for one, salute you

Enjoyable comedy

[Ellie_81 · 9/10 · 25 July 2013]

As a child I remember seeing Cannon and Ball on the TV every Saturday evening at the height of their popularity. I brought this DVD, although I had seen the film many years ago when I was little. Cannon and Ball star as two inept police officers of Little Botham, where there is little for them to do. Bobby has a supermarket ( built into the police station!) Eric Sykes is brilliant as the Chief constable, who is irritated within seconds of meeting the boys in blue.Valueable paintings are being stolen and the boys try to catch the criminals in order to avoid being merged with another police station. All in all a very enjoyable comedy

Classic British comedy

[simon-397 · 10/10 · 25 June 2003]

Contrary to other comments this is a British classic. If you're not a Cannon & Ball fan - don't read on - in fact, why watch it??!! True "CannonBallians" will relish in the banter between two of the top comedy double acts.

Never again, alas, will we see the likes of Roy Kinnear ("If I 'ad a secretary, I'd 'ave someone with something that bounces up & down when she's typing <wheezy laugh>") or Jon Pertwee ("That's very kind of you I'm sure - such heartwarming social sentiments are hard to find in these grasping avericious days") but they are immortalised here.

My personal favourite is the "somebody at the door" scene - but there are plenty of others to have you in stitches including "I'm going to lend you me Monarch of the Glen"!!!!

Top marks for a top film!

Great film!

[wb010b4494 · 10/10 · 13 January 2005]

Will Hay and the gang are still the best but this is a very worthy try. And now, thanks to DVD it's back! In the UK anyway.

I remember my folks renting it on Betamax video years ago. Loved it then, love it more now. If you get a chance try and get the Will Hay original too - 'Ask A Policeman'.

Cannon and Ball were a comedy staple of 80's UK t.v. and this move into film is right up there with other comedy British films of the time like 'Are You Being Served? and 'Steptoe And Son'.

Yes it's silly, yes it's a little too fluffy and twee but those are the charming things about it. It was intended to be family entertainment and that's exactly what it is. Better than many modern family films ('Sleepover', 'Princess Diaries 2' and even the PG13 'Alien Vs Predator') and also filled with a cast that actually tries to create something most recent films have forgotten - memorable characters! Stand up Jon Pertwee and take a bow! If you like slapstick, farce, and comedy one liners then this is for you.

A load of old Cannon and Balls

[hugh1971 · 20 December 2001]

Utter tripe - a pointless remake of Will Hay's superb 'Ask A Policeman' starring the unfunny and charmless Cannon and Ball - a straight man and a 'comedian' whose one joke consists of snapping his braces. Don't bother.

low budget comedy! remake

[mark monroe · 10/10 · 3 November 2000]

The only film made by the UK comedy duo, and like Morecambe & Wise, their films never live up to the comedy they're supposed to!!! However, this low budget british made effort is very good. Based on the classic Will Hay Ask a Policeman film the plot is basically the same, smugglers and two incompetent policemen, namely Cannon and Ball. The laughs are silly and childish, like Carry On... humour but all in all an easy to watch afternoon type movie.

Absolutely brilliant

[markyf · 10/10 · 10 November 2002]

This film is very funny and showed cannon and balls comic genius, 10/10. I think this should be re-released. There is some bad acting but the comic moments make up for it and bobby ball makes me laugh till i cry. I don't know how anyone who has seen this film could give it a bad comment.

Great duo in laughy fun

[james_jonathan_turner · 10/10 · 21 January 2006]

Cannon and Ball is excellent funny men from time ago. How I laugh at their gurnery. One of them (Ball) went to the jungle and my how me make me laugh whilst watching this old film. He is truly great in the veins of other greats like Albert Stepped toe and Billy Crystal. GThe laughs never stop as policemen pratfalling whilst capturing the bad figures- I love their their sense of justice and vengeance, combined with funny end of your peers laughter. The absolute volume of laughs in this film truly makes me bleed. They are great atists painting funny funny moments. I love the ability they have to turn the bureaucratic work of a policemen into a fun filled antic hunt! The greatest laugh I had was when the jungle man fell down a pothole. That was agreed by all to be their best. How I wish these two had many more films in these veins. I would have gone more if I was born when this film was made. All in all a great buy for family! PS they are robots.

Bumbling Cops, a la Clouseau

[quibix · 8/10 · 14 February 2006]

I saw this not long after it was released, and I was already a fan of the early 80's TV show. The film involves two police officers, long-time friends, who are in charge of keeping the peace in a sleepy seaside town, Little Botham, that ordinarily is peaceful enough on its own. While one (Tommy Cannon), is a by-the-book true copper, the other (Bobby Ball), prefers moonlighting at the local petrol station/convenience store (he sees police work as his sideline to primarily being shopkeeper). When a mysterious new-comer takes up residence on a farm (replete with barn) in Little Botham, soon after a string of high-profile art heists, Cannon & Ball's rusty cop gears start turning. They'll stop at absolutely nothing to crack the case!

Loved it watched it 100s of times

[j_mitch75 · 10/10 · 14 June 2011]

I must say i loved this film, my papa taped it for me years ago but sadly the tape got chewed but since then i found it had been released on DVD so i bought it and it reminds me of my papa god rest him so thats worth it's weight in gold to me. i know it has had some stick from some people on here but come on its a slapstick 80s comedy flick from cannon and ball and not to be taken seriously,its a good old fashioned Brit comedy film and yeah of course theirs plot errors but every film has them, tho in my opinion they done a great job on this film considering the budget was very low, go buy the DVD and make up your own minds rather than read comments on IMDb because after all we all have different taste's in movies and this might just be your kind of film.