Joan Sims

With Henry VIII (Sid James) plotting to rid himself of garlic-scoffing wife Marie of Normandy (Joan Sims) to romp with frisky Bettina (Barbara Windsor), the plot may puzzle Wolf Hall fans somewhat. But while it's no Carry On classic to match Cleo and Up The Khyber, it offers clear evidence that the Tudor court could be huge, raucous fun, with Kenneth Williams a rather more nefarious Thomas Cromwell than Hilary Mantel would allow.

Paul Howlett, The Guardian, 21st February 2017

Radio Times review

It's easy to pooh-pooh the Carry On films. Yes, they were formulaic and increasingly smutty but they stormed the UK box office in the 1950s and 60s, before becoming a primetime staple on BBC One and ITV in the 70s. Many now have a period charm and are still amusing.

With mainstays Kenneth Williams, Sid James, Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques long dead, this affectionate three-part history calls in semi-regulars. It takes Shirley Eaton and Liz Frazer back to Pinewood Studios, Rosalind Knight and Sally Geeson to film locations, and reunites Bernard Cribbins and Juliet Mills for the first time in 50 years. Rather touching.

Patrick Mulkern, Radio Times, 3rd April 2015