Watch What A Carve Up

What A Carve Up! is a British comedy-horror film released in 1961. It was directed by Pat Jackson and starred some of the biggest names in British cinema at the time, including Sid James, Kenneth Connor, and Shirley Eaton. The movie was based on the novel of the same name by Jonathan Coe, and tells the story of the Winshaw family – a wealthy and powerful dynasty who seem to have everything, but are hiding dark secrets.

The film tells the story of a group of people who are invited to the Winshaw family estate, Ravenhurst, for the reading of the will of a late family member. The creepy mansion is located in the middle of nowhere and is surrounded by dense forest, making it the perfect location for a horror movie. The group includes a journalist, a secretary, a tax inspector, and some other characters who all have different reasons for being there.

As soon as they arrive at Ravenhurst, strange things start to happen. The guests are treated to dinner, which includes a traditional English dish called 'What A Carve Up', which gives the film its title. It's a dish made from a stuffed pig's head which is then carved up and served to the guests – a particularly gruesome scene in the movie. During the course of dinner, the guests start to suspect that they have been lured to Ravenhurst for sinister reasons.

As the night wears on, the guests start dying one by one in macabre and mysterious circumstances. It appears that someone is out to kill them – but who? The answer lies in the family's murky past, which is slowly revealed through a series of flashbacks and revelations. Sidney James plays the role of a private investigator who is brought in to uncover the truth behind the murders.

The movie is a deft blend of horror and comedy, with plenty of humorous moments scattered throughout. The tongue-in-cheek tone of the film is reflected in the performances of the cast, particularly James and Connor, who bring a lot of charm and wit to their roles. Eaton, best known for her role as the Bond girl in Goldfinger, also delivers a memorable performance as one of the guests.

One of the strengths of the film is its ability to keep the audience guessing until the very end. The identity of the killer is kept hidden until the final act, and there are plenty of red herrings and false leads along the way. The movie is also notable for its atmospheric cinematography, which captures the eeriness of the mansion and the surrounding woods.

The film's themes of greed, corruption, and class struggle are still relevant today, and the movie has been praised for its satirical take on British society. While it may not be as well-known as other horror-comedies of the era, such as The Abominable Dr. Phibes or The Comedy of Terrors, What A Carve Up! is a hidden gem that deserves a wider audience.

Overall, What A Carve Up! is a fun and engaging mash-up of horror and comedy that delivers plenty of laughs and thrills. With a talented cast, clever script, and stylish direction, the film is a classic of its genre and a must-see for fans of British cinema.

What A Carve Up is a 1961 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.