Intelligence Men, The
Eric (Morecambe) is, by his own admission, a "hot froth maker", but when he is mistaken for a secret agent by Russian assassins looking to disrupt a British \ Russian trade agreement, he is recruited by MI5 to crack the case, along with MI5 clerk Ernie (Wise).
Eric (Morecambe) is, by his own admission, a "hot froth maker", but when he is mistaken for a secret agent by Russian assassins looking to disrupt a British \ Russian trade agreement, he is recruited by MI5 to crack the case, along with MI5 clerk Ernie (Wise).
I don't watch old movies very often. I'm a technology snob - I like movies in anamorphic widescreen with DTS sound, but Eric and Ernie always deliver so I thought I'd give it a go. I'm pleased I did, because this is one of the funniest films ever. There's no gross-out moments and very little slapstick, yet it is consistently amusing and, at times, hysterical. Take, for example, Eric's attempts to make drinks without his glasses - simple comedy that is executed so well by a comic genius I am giggling about it writing this review. The best moments involve Eric Morecambe doing something daft, I never realised he was such a great physical comedian.
The film has aged well. The decor and fashions are dated but with films like Austin Powers around, they don't detract from the movie. Of course some of the jokes are dated, and we've seen in Carry on films, but I suspect they were done here first. For the most part the humour is innocent and very funny. The script is good, with some great wordplay and misunderstanding between Eric and Ernie, and the finale is a classic. If you've not seen the two of them dressed as Egyptians doing Swan Lake, you're missing out.
The DVD is surprisingly good - a very clear, colourful picture despite the age and 4:3 format. The mono soundtrack is fine, nice and clear. The only extra is an original trailer, which is a great timepiece of the duo's popularity at the time of release. This is a movie for the whole family that really is a gem. I would recommend this movie to anyone as one of a few comedies that will make the whole family laugh without risk of offence. A genuine classic.
This page has been read:
2049
times