I really like the Carry On movies in general. Later on, the humour did get smutty and then when regulars left or died the series went downhill faster than you could say "bob's your uncle". Carry on Sergeant holds the honour of being the first of the series, and in my mind it is one of the better ones, even with the too-short length and occasionally lacking story. I do think though it looks good, the film is very efficiently directed, the film goes at a fine pace and the music is nice and quirky. The script and cast are what make this entry work. The script is great, it is still very funny but its tone is gentler and I liked that. A lot of the early Carry Ons had this gentle humour, and it is a tone I kind of prefer actually. The cast once again give it their all, not just William Hartnell and Bob Monkhouse who are splendid, but also sterling support from regulars Kenneth Connor, Kenneth Williams(a smarmy know-it-all here), Hattie Jacques and Charles Hawtrey. Overall, a very entertaining and re-watchable entry and a solid debut. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Carry on sergeant has the fame of being the first carry on film. It was released in 1958 just before national army service ended two years later. This film is how the well known film series started so it is memorable for that. the first films were black and white where colour would be in all films from 1964. the series is special because of the comedy actors who returned to each new carry on film and played different crazy roles. all the actors were well known within British cinema and performed well. Carry on sergeant is memorable for the only appearance of comedy star bob monkhouse in the film series and the appearance of william hartnell as tough sergeant before he became the first doctor who. the comedy plot is very good about a group of no hope soldiers who turn things around. enjoyable.

I started my reviews of the Carry On's at the end of their run. Most of the ones at the end went to far and counted on dirty jokes and sex to sell the story. It is refreshing to go back to the first one and see how that stuff was not needed. I don't mind seeing a girl in a sexy outfit, but we don't need filthy humor.Carry on Sergeant takes place at a training camp for new soldiers. A lot of the men don't want to be there and don't try very hard. They are the worst of the camp. We have a lot of regulars here: Kenneth Conner, Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques & Terry Scott. Also William Hartnell plays the Sergeant and does a great job playing him. Shirley Eaton plays a newlywed who sneaks on the base to be close to her husband. There is a funny scene where they keep marking the progress of the group and it keeps going down each week. The guys find out the sergeant is retiring after the last day of training, so they decide to give him a great showing and they win the contest against all the other groups. This makes him very happy and they give him a lighter as a gift in the last scene. That was a really nice touch and it put a lump in my throat.This first film had a different tone than the later ones. I liked it and it really grew on me. That's not to say, I did not like the style as they went ahead. I love Sid James and he did not come in to be the main guy until the mid 60's.

The success of ATV's "The Army Game" inspired the birth of "Carry on Sergeant",and,by extension,the whole "Carry On" canon.Bill Hartnell,Norman Rossington and Charles Hawtrey were headhunted from the TV ,and later Carry On" alumni such as Bernard Bresslaw cut their teeth on the very popular small screen series. The term "Carry on,Sergeant" is an old British army phrase used by officers in handing over command of the men to the NCOs who,as in every army in the world,actually run things.A captain comes into the hut and all the men spring to attention.He glances quickly around,nods approvingly and drawls "Carry on sergeant",satisfied that all is well in his little world. The success of "Carry on Sergeant" spawned "Carry on Nurse" etc ,the generic title being used for a long series of cheap,cheerful and splendidly vulgar movies that are gradually being recognised as a highwater mark in British cinema.In 1958,a significant proportion of the cinema audience was familiar with military silliness,bullying NCOs,pompous officers,skiving ORs,and had spent enough time painting grass green and coal black on bleak outposts of the Empire all over the world to be only too familiar with conscription. At the time the British army was full of reluctant warriors like Williams,O'Connor and the others. Profesionals like Bill Owen and William Hartnell wearily did their best to turn them into soldiers for 24 stupefying months before they were allowed to get on with the rest of their lives.You didn't need a film to make it seem like a farce,it was a farce.There are a lot of good moments in this movie and it is certainly capable of holding its own (oops dearie!) aside from being judged in hindsight as the precursor of a much - loved tradition of seaside postcard humour all the funnier for being disdained by those who think we should know better. "Carry on Sergeant" contains a wonderfully demented performance by the great Mr Eric Barker and a surprisingly good one from the much - maligned Mr Bob Monkhouse,but it is Mr William Hartnell that is the glue that holds it all together.He is the eternal N.C.O battling against inept recruits and barmy officers,he hardly has one funny line,but he made me laugh more than anyone else in the picture.