Cinematic camel carry-on
En route to darkest Patagonia, the airship touches down in the Antipodes, where the natives welcome us around their campfire with a feast of assorted roast reptiles and marsupials.
As an extra honour, the chieftain wheels out his ancient television set for some cinematic entertainment. What a delight! The film showing that night is a beautifully cinematic, historically accurate docudrama on the French Foreign Legion's campaigns in the Maghreb: Carry On Follow That Camel (1967). A superb way to salve any homesickness for the sandlands.
How we gasp at the thrilling warfare between Sheikh Abdul Abulbul of Oasis Al Nookie (Bernard Bresslaw's highly sensitive portrayal of a traditional bedouin leader) and the French foreign legion, based at Camp Soizzantneuf, led by tragic hero Commandant Maximilian Burger (Kenneth Williams with a flawless German accent). The depth of detail is breathtaking, including the script's use of Arabic (the camp lavatory is signposted "El Khazi"), the sinewous Egyptian bellydancing of femme fatale Corktip, and the wiles of the spurned Algerian beauty Zig-Zig (Joan Simms).
A movie fully deserving of the Oscars for Best Foreign Film and Best Picture, neither of which - most inexplicably - it appears to have been awarded.
As an extra honour, the chieftain wheels out his ancient television set for some cinematic entertainment. What a delight! The film showing that night is a beautifully cinematic, historically accurate docudrama on the French Foreign Legion's campaigns in the Maghreb: Carry On Follow That Camel (1967). A superb way to salve any homesickness for the sandlands.
How we gasp at the thrilling warfare between Sheikh Abdul Abulbul of Oasis Al Nookie (Bernard Bresslaw's highly sensitive portrayal of a traditional bedouin leader) and the French foreign legion, based at Camp Soizzantneuf, led by tragic hero Commandant Maximilian Burger (Kenneth Williams with a flawless German accent). The depth of detail is breathtaking, including the script's use of Arabic (the camp lavatory is signposted "El Khazi"), the sinewous Egyptian bellydancing of femme fatale Corktip, and the wiles of the spurned Algerian beauty Zig-Zig (Joan Simms).
A movie fully deserving of the Oscars for Best Foreign Film and Best Picture, neither of which - most inexplicably - it appears to have been awarded.
9 Comments:
The Carry On movies were so funny for their time - and most probably still are, given that I could now understand most of the jokes that were too "mature" for my viewing age back then.
I just laughed when my parents did!
Hi SD,
Just wondering if you could add my new blog to your list if you like it!
Thanks
My favourites tend to be the contemporary set ones, only because they look so amusing dated now - with all the 60s/70s fashion - real period pieces!
The Carry On Doctors, Camping, Holiday, and of course, up the Khyber, are my personal favourites.
I just wish I understood Arabic and could watch some of those old Egyptian movies on TV. They look just as good as the old Carry On classics. I particularly like the guys with the fearsome mustaches!
I can't tell the difference between the old Egyptian movies and the *new* ones. Looks like they are still using the same film stock.
lol at the last guy Marwan, but the old film stock theory doesnt work coz the make up and fashion still looks bad like from the 80's No?
I need to visit Cairo, I havnt been yet and I am sure they still sell rubiks cubes.
Time warp.
Well, while we worry about SD click on:
Bling Bling
could be.
Does anybody know what is up??
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