Carry on Cleo Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two hapless Britons get captured by Romans, one accidentally becomes Caesar’s bodyguard by not dying, and they stumble into a hilariously inaccurate ancient world filled with plotting, puns, and a surprisingly modern Cleopatra.

🍿 Carry on Cleo: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Captured Britons and Roman Arrival

The story begins in ancient Britain, where two locals, the inventive but cowardly Hengist Pod and the brave warrior Horsa, are captured during the Roman invasion. They are taken as slaves to Rome, facing an uncertain future in the vast empire.

Mistaken Hero and Caesar’s Guard

While in Rome, an attempt is made on Julius Caesar’s life in the Temple of Vesta. Horsa bravely thwarts the assassins and escapes, but the unassuming Hengist is mistakenly credited as the hero. As a reward for supposedly saving his life, Caesar appoints Hengist as his personal bodyguard.

Roman Politics and Egyptian Intrigue

Meanwhile, Caesar returns to a Rome rife with political tension. His friend Mark Antony is dispatched to Egypt to intervene in the power struggle between Cleopatra and Ptolemy. However, upon meeting the alluring Cleopatra, Antony becomes smitten and conspires with her to assassinate Caesar and seize power.

Journey to Egypt and Escape Attempts

Caesar decides to travel to Egypt, taking Hengist along. Unbeknownst to them, Horsa has also been recaptured and is a slave on the same galley ship. Horsa leads a revolt among the galley slaves, killing Antony’s agent Agrippa and escaping, while Hengist, unaware, is again credited with handling the threat.

Arrival in Egypt and the Swap

Horsa and the escaped slaves swim to Egypt, aiming to return home. Caesar and Hengist also arrive at Cleopatra’s palace. Warned of a plot, the paranoid Caesar convinces Hengist to swap identities with him to meet Cleopatra, believing Hengist will be safer.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Hengist Pod (Kenneth Connor): A cowardly British inventor who is mistakenly promoted to Julius Caesar’s personal bodyguard.
• Mark Antony (Sidney James): Julius Caesar’s general and friend who plots to kill him after falling for Cleopatra.
• Julius Caesar (Kenneth Williams): The wimpy and paranoid Roman Emperor who becomes the target of assassination plots.
• Horsa (Jim Dale): A brave British fighter and friend of Hengist who helps foil plots against Caesar.
• Cleopatra (Amanda Barrie): The beautiful Egyptian Queen who allies with Mark Antony in a scheme against Caesar.
• Calpurnia (Joan Sims): Julius Caesar’s nagging wife who is often frustrated by his actions and absences.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Julius Caesar: “Infamy, infamy! They’ve all got it in for me!” – Said by Caesar, exasperated by the various plots and misfortunes seemingly targeting him.
• Julius Caesar: “Friends, Romans…” – Part of a running gag where Caesar attempts to give a speech and is constantly interrupted.
• Mark Antony: “Blimus!” – A frequent exclamation of frustration or surprise used by Mark Antony.
• Cleopatra: “Do’st thou like what thou see’st?” – Asked seductively by Cleopatra while bathing in asses’ milk.
• Mark Antony: “Puer Oh, puer, oh puer!” – Mark Antony’s excited exclamation upon seeing what Cleopatra has to offer, translating to ‘Boy, oh boy, oh boy!’

💰Box Office

• Budget: £200,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Carry on Cleo Reviews

Personal Review

Oh, ‘Carry On Cleo’! This one is just pure, unadulterated fun. I remember seeing it ages ago and just laughing hysterically at Kenneth Williams as Caesar; his ‘Infamy, infamy!’ line is burned into my brain forever, and he delivers it masterfully. I mean, the plot is ridiculous, with cavemen Britons and all sorts of historical inaccuracies, but that’s the charm! Sid James is classic Sid, leering and cackling, and Amanda Barrie is fantastic as the milk-bathing Cleopatra. It just makes me feel happy and nostalgic for a different era of comedy. The scene where Hengist is trying to fight Agrippa on the ship, completely unaware Horsa is doing all the work, gets me every time. And Charles Hawtrey wandering around with his specs is a perfect touch. It’s a film I can watch again and again whenever I need a good giggle. Absolutely love the energy and the sheer cheek of it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of British comedy, especially the ‘Carry On’ series”
  • “Viewers who enjoy historical parodies and spoofs”
  • “Those looking for lighthearted, slapstick humor with innuendo”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)”
  • “Features pervasive innuendo and double entendres”
  • “Mild titillation”
  • “Includes a depiction of a character in blackface (as a bodyguard, considered dated and potentially offensive)”

Professional Reviews

• Film Fanatics Quarterly: “Carry On Cleo leverages discarded sets from a certain epic to craft a visually grand farce. Kenneth Williams shines as the perpetually flustered Caesar, delivering iconic lines with perfect timing. Sid James brings his signature lechery to Mark Antony, and Amanda Barrie is a delightful, ditzy Cleopatra. While historically wild and relying heavily on innuendo, the sharp script keeps the gags landing frequently. It’s a quintessential example of British comedy at its cheeky best.
• The Global Critic: “This ‘Carry On’ entry stands out, benefiting greatly from lavish, ‘borrowed’ production values. The ensemble cast, including Kenneth Connor and Jim Dale as the hapless Britons, are on top form. The humour is broad and occasionally crude, but the sheer energy and rapid-fire wordplay overcome any dated aspects. It’s a charmingly silly send-up that proves just how effective lowbrow humour can be when delivered by genuinely talented performers.

Audience Reactions

Everyone loves Kenneth Williams’ delivery of the ‘Infamy!’ line.: The cast chemistry is superb, and the use of lavish sets from ‘Cleopatra’ makes it look much bigger than a typical ‘Carry On’.

The rapid-fire puns and innuendos are a highlight for many.: It’s considered one of the funniest and best-produced films in the entire series, holding up well over time for fans.

Overall Consensus: A beloved, high-energy historical farce widely considered one of the peak entries in the ‘Carry On’ series, praised for its witty script, strong ensemble cast (especially Kenneth Williams), and surprisingly grand visuals.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film made extensive use of sets and costumes left over from the 1963 production of ‘Cleopatra’ starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, which had an exorbitant budget.”
• “Kenneth Williams’ line ‘Infamy, Infamy… they’ve all got it in for me!’ was specially written by Talbot Rothwell and was later voted one of the all-time funniest one-liners in movie history.”
• “Despite its historical setting, the script includes anachronistic jokes and references, such as the slave-trading firm ‘Marcus & Spencius’, a pun on the British retailer Marks & Spencer.”
• “The film was a significant success for the Carry On series, arguably performing better at the box office than the much more expensive ‘Cleopatra’ it parodied in the UK.”
• “Historical accuracy was deliberately ignored for comedic effect, with Britons depicted as primitive cave-dwellers alongside Romans from a much later historical period.”

🖥️ How to Watch Carry on Cleo?

Viewers interested in watching ‘Carry on Cleo’ can typically find it available for digital purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other major digital movie stores. Availability may vary by region and streaming service subscription.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Carry on Cleo, you might like these similar films:

• Cleopatra (1963): The massive historical epic that ‘Carry on Cleo’ directly parodies and famously reused sets and costumes from.
• Carry On Up the Khyber (1968): Another highly regarded entry in the ‘Carry On’ series known for its historical parody, featuring the same core cast and comedic style.
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966): A musical comedy set in Ancient Rome, featuring an ensemble cast, slapstick, and wordplay that aligns with the ‘Carry On’ style.
• Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979): A later, famous British satirical comedy that uses a historical setting (Biblical times) for irreverent humor and sketch-like structure.
• Blackadder (TV Series, starting 1983): An iconic British historical comedy series featuring an ensemble cast, sharp wit, and often lampooning historical figures and periods.

🛒 Carry on Cleo Related Products

• Carry On Cleo Blu-ray: Experience the classic comedy in high definition. Features restored picture and sound for optimal viewing.
• The Complete Carry On Films Collection (DVD Box Set): A comprehensive collection featuring all the films from the iconic British comedy series.
• Carry On Cleo Movie Poster Print: A high-quality print of the original theatrical poster, perfect for framing.
• A Book About the Carry On Films: Explore the history, making-of, and cultural impact of the Carry On series with behind-the-scenes stories.

🎧 Soundtrack

Carry on Cleo features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Rome, Sweet Rome” – performed by Charles Hawtrey

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Another classic carry on gag, perhaps the classic? Kenneth Williams – Julius Caesar – Carry on Cleo

You absolutely HAVE to see this classic Kenneth Williams moment as Caesar – it’s probably the most quoted line from the whole movie, and honestly, it still cracks me up every time!

I’LL PAY YOU BACK #comedy #funny

Check out this quick clip from the slave auction scene – that poor guy is desperate, and his plan to pay her back is just too funny, classic Carry On humor!

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