The Best of Benny Hill

If this is the best of Benny Hill then I hate to see the worst of him! Like with the Monty Python vehicle AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, THE BEST OF BENNY HILL is a compilation of various clips from his long-running TV series, added together to form a feature-length film.

I suppose this kind of humour isn't bad if you're in the right forgiving mood, but I quickly tired of Hill's constant mugging and cross-dressing and I have to say that I didn't find much of it very funny. There are some truly witty and clever moments here, and the life and death of the guy in five minutes is hilarious and very well portrayed. But many of the other clips consist of obvious jokes and strained, repetitive humour.

Hill is certainly an energetic performer and some of that enthusiasm comes across here, but not enough. Too many of the jokes consist of women stripping but that kind of thing was funnier in the CARRY ON films, I reckon. Still, if you're a fan of the comedian then you'll enjoy this anyway, and that theme tune IS classic. It's just that for me, Benny Hill is better in short doses.