Watch Carry On... Up the Khyber

Carry On... Up the Khyber is a British comedy film from 1968 that is often regarded as one of the best entries in the long-running Carry On film series. Directed by Gerald Thomas, the movie features a star-studded cast that includes Sidney James, Kenneth Williams, and Charles Hawtrey, among others. The film is set in the late 19th century and takes place in the Indian province of Khyber. The British Empire is in control of the region and has established various outposts and military bases to maintain their authority. One such base is the infamous British outpost of Khyber, which serves as the main setting for the movie.

The story follows the exploits of the bumbling British soldiers stationed at the Khyber outpost, led by the inept Captain Keene, played by Kenneth Williams. Things take a turn for the worse, however, when the Khyber Pass is threatened by a local rebellion led by a fearsome warrior called Khazi, played by the imposing actor, Bernard Bresslaw.

Desperate to maintain their control over the region, the British send for reinforcements, including the daring and dashing Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond, played by the incomparable Sidney James. Sir Sidney is tasked with retrieving the fabled jewels of the Khasi of Kalabar, a valuable artifact that is said to have magical powers capable of turning the tide of the conflict.

As one would expect from a Carry On film, the storyline is full of outrageous gags, sexual innuendos, and slapstick humor. The movie's humor is often nonsensical and absurd, making for a light-hearted and entertaining 90-minute romp.

Throughout the film, the British's attempts to suppress the local rebellion are juxtaposed with scenes of their own debauchery and moral decay. The soldiers spend most of their time drinking, gambling, and pursuing romantic exploits, which only serve to heighten the humor and absurdity of the situation.

Along the way, the British encounter a cast of eccentric and colorful characters, including the conniving Khasi of Kalabar, a group of dancing girls, and a comically inept local spy, played by Charles Hawtrey.

The film's themes of colonialism, imperialism, and cultural clash are played for laughs, but there is a certain cleverness to how the movie navigates these sensitive topics. By laughing at the absurdity of the British Empire's attempts to impose their will on the native population, Carry On... Up the Khyber manages to simultaneously poke fun at colonialism while still managing to be an entertaining comedy.

Ultimately, Carry On... Up the Khyber is a classic of British cinema and an essential entry in the Carry On canon. Its humor may be dated, but the film remains a riotous send-up of the colonial era and a testament to the enduring popularity of the Carry On franchise.

Carry On... Up the Khyber is a 1968 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.