Everything goes wrong with 'The Great Brain Robbery' masterminded by Sid James' bank of criminal comedians. Put behind bars for 15 years, the gang have one consolation – they hid their loot in a tree in the country before capture. But a dreadful shock awaits them after their release; the accommodating oak now stands in the backyard of a Police Station! Fate plays havoc with the crazy crooks attempts to retrieve their cash.

viewer's comments:


- Classic British comedy caper.
This film about the antics of a group of inept bank robbers is British comedy at its finest. It's Carry-on in everything but name, with regulars such as Sid, Jim Dale and Joan Sims.There are some wonderful performances, but for my money it's Dick Emery who steals the show. I love the part where himself and Sid James have messed up again and are questioned by Jim Dale (the constable) about their antics the previous night. Dick, convinced they've been nobbled, turns to Sid and says "Did you see the look he gave us?It was loaded with handcuffs!"Priceless.

This is what REAL comedy is all about and I'm eternally grateful to messrs Thomas,Rothwell and Rogers for providing us with moments like these we can cherish forever.


- An enjoyably light film from the Carry On school of comedy
A group of criminals led by George Brain (known to himself as `The Great Brain') plan to rob a bank. Although the job doesn't go totally to plan, they do get away with £15K. However the police catch them as they make their get away and George is forced to stash the money in a hollow tree. For refusing to say where the money is the group get 15 years each in prison but vow to escape. 15 years later they are released and immediately go to find the tree – but find that a new town has sprung up where once there was fields. Happily the tree is still standing – unfortunately it is now standing in the back yard of a police station. The gang take up rooms in a B&B across the street to plan their next move.

Although I doubt I will ever prove it, I maintain that this film must have been a source of inspiration for the film Blue Streak. The set up is identical although the follow through is different. Regardless of this, The Big Job is an enjoyable film with plenty of Carry On style humour (although not part of the series proper). The plot is good and has a few nice touches towards the end. Although the comedy stays away from the bawdy antics of later Carry On features, it does have a gentle line in innuendo. My favourite lines involve one of the characters talking about animals that odd names – such as a lengthy discussion on the rarity of the bird the `Little Bustard' – had me laughing! The slap stick of the piece is also done well and there are some nice set pieces – although some are a little obvious.

The cast are good and work well together with so many Carry On faces. Sid James is good value and uses his facial expressions well (albeit without the trademark laugh). A young Emery is funny and Percival is quite enjoyable. The best members of the cast are those who have smaller inputs which are usually funny. Dale is amusing as the cop but Guyler (who has but 3 scenes) is good value for money. Joan Sims is funny playing a slightly amorous widow! Edina Ronay plays her daughter and, at only 20 at the time, is very, very sexy – and made even more so by the fact that she really plays that side of her character up!

Overall this is an enjoyable film that will appeal to anyone who watches the Carry On films there were made around the same period. It has a good plot, some nice sequences and plenty of good lines or characterisations.



- A Carry On if ever I saw one.
This film is made in the great tradition that is `Carry On`. The music shouts Carry On, as do the actors. maybe the movie could have been subtitled `Carry on Nicking`. Sid James as the centre for this production shows the Blueprint for his many performances as what was basically the same character throughout the Carry On series of movies whether it be Henry VIII or Sidney Bliss.


- From the Carry On team a cracking comedy crime caper!
Another homegrown gem from the director (Gerald Thomas ), producer (Peter Rogers) & writer (Talbot Rothwell) of the Carry On movies. This is very similar to those classics as it also has a cast of Carry On regulars such as Jim Dale, Joan Sims & the irrepressible Sid James! After finishing their porridge at her majesties pleasure a gang of crooks attempt to retrieve the loot they hid before being caught. Unfortunately the tree they hid it in is now within the grounds of a police station! They hole up in a neighbouring B&B and so begin many bungled attempts to retrieve it. To make matters worse their fellow lodger is a policeman. D'oh! A top comedy with that must have ingredient, good characters (often lacking from more recent so-called comedy films). A great hour & a half for fans of Carry On. It would be a crime to miss it!



cast: Sid James .... George Brain
Sylvia Syms .... Myrtle Robbins
Dick Emery .... Booky Binns
Joan Sims .... Mrs Gamely
Lance Percival .... Dipper Day
Jim Dale .... Harold
Edina Ronay .... Sally Gamely
Deryck Guyler .... Police Sgt.

Runtime: 85 min
Country: UK
Language: English
Black and White