jc-osms Almost every bit as saucy, bawdy and occasionally seedy as the "Carry On" movies themselves, this warts and all encapsulation of the doomed relationship between older man Sid James and bright young thing Barbara Windsor provided captivating entertainment. Commencing brightly and convincingly with some cute camera perspective tricks, perhaps demonstrating the illusory and ultimately false world of entertainment and entertainers, the story contains just about the right mix of drama, pathos and humour throughout, helped by convincing portrayals of almost all the leading players, themselves so familiar to a generation of us who can still hardly turn on the TV here without one of the series beaming out at you (my personal favourite? - "Carry on Cowboy"!). Although concentrating naturally on the James/Windsor axis, (to the exclusion of both protagonists' spouses), the third side of their love triangle turns out surprisingly to be the acerbic, extrovert but ultimately self-loathing Kenneth Williams, acting as a lightning-rod to James' adulterous excesses (which seemed to extend to bedding every available young female on set) and comforting-board to Windsor as she agonises whether to give in firstly to his physical desire and then later emotional need for her. It's impossible of course to know the full extent of the emotional complexities of this troubled group of actors, besides the accurate extensions of their obvious on-screen personas, but given that Ms Windsor was on board here as a consultant and contributed a cameo piece as herself, I'm prepared to accept what I saw as true-to-life.One or two James fans might demur at his portrayal as a serial philanderer but I still found his lovable rogue depiction sympathetic. The acting is universally excellent, all the leads capturing the trademark vocal and physical characteristics of their precedents (as indeed is the case with minor characters too) and it was fun to see accurate on-set recreations of famous "Carry On" scenes, including Windor's famous bikini-bursting scene from "Carry on Camping". The dialogue throughout was natural and seemed to me wholly in character, with many witty aphorisms especially, as you'd expect, from the Kenneth Williams character. All in all, a convincing insight into the lives and far from starry lifestyles of UK national acting treasures and a worthy celebration of a long-standing British cinematic institution.

Jackson Booth-Millard I have seen a few documentaries about the Carry On films, and the affair between the adorable bubbly blonde and lovable dirty laughing git is often mentioned, and this drama is a pretty good depiction. It is 1964 at Pinewood Studios, Sidney "Sid" James (Goodnight Mister Tom's Geoffrey Hutchings) is making a successful film series, the Carry On films, along with actors Kenneth Williams (Charlie and the Chcoloate Factory's Adam Godley), Bernard Bresslaw (Steve Speirs), Joan Sims (Chrissie Cotterill), Charles Hawtrey (Hugh Walters) and Kenneth Connor (Derek Howard), and director Gerald Thomas (David McAllister). After completing Carry On Spying (which James was not in), Sid meets newcomer Barbara Windsor (Samantha Spiro), and he is instantly attracted to her. Over the years Sid pretty much pursues her, and she is constantly refusing to have any kind of affair with him. Eventually though "Babs" gives in to her feelings for him and allows him one night of passion, although it was probably more than that. The last film they made in each other's company was Carry On Dick, and just before the making of Carry On Emmannuelle (which Babs refused to be in, considered it distasteful), Sid James tragically died on stage. The final sequence where Kenny Williams and Babs (played by herself!) go into Sid's old trailer is quite heartfelt. Also starring Maria Charles as Mrs. Hawtrey, Jacqueline Defferary as Sally and Kenneth MacDonald as Eddie. Spiro is really convincing as Babs, Hutching's does alright as James, and the show is almost stolen by the almost spot-on impression of Williams by Godley. A good drama not just to see a depiction of this real story, but to get an idea of behind-the-scenes on the Carry On films. Good!

m_pratt This is an insult to Sid James. Its not fair that he is being publicised like this. Sid was a great man who gave laughter to Millions of people this is no way to treat Sid. The man is dead. He cannot Defend himself. I wonder what Barbara Windsor thought about this. It is worser in my opinion than Carry on England. I am pretty certain that they didn't have sex during the making of Carry on Girls.Its a load of rubbish. I wonder what Valerie James must have thought about this.I think that whoever thought of this film is sick in the head. There is no proof that Sid and Babs slept together during the making of Girls.And another thing Bernie was not in Henry!!!!. This is a sad pointless documentary type film. Its just wrong Joan Sims even said so herself that Sid and his family should be left alone.0/10

iandbaldwin We know that many of the actors in the long running Carry On series had personal problems - perhaps this is why they were so funny and we laughed with them not at them. This film could have only been made by people with a deep affection for the Carry On films and the actors involved. Don't expect an air brushing of history to pretend all the Carry On actors were perfect. Also this is only an interpretation of the events and characters and does not purport to be autobiographical. It is both very funny and also very sad - the two masks of comedy and tragedy. The impersonations are extremely good. The fact that Barbara Windsor was willing to take part must at least indicate approval from one Carry On cast member.