Reel Britannia

About Reel Britannia

A very British podcast about very British movies...with the occasional hint of professionalism

Publisher

Scott

Category

tv & film · tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Jun 2017

Latest episode

8 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

213 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Episode 204 - Carry On Jack (1964)

   All at Sea with a Slightly Different Crew For episode 204 of the Reel Britannia podcast, we are taking to the high seas and hoisting the mainsail for the 1964 nautical romp, Carry On Jack.   The story follows the earnest but hopelessly inept Albert Poop-Decker (the brilliant Bernard Cribbins), who takes a commission as a midshipman on the frigate Venus. Naturally, things go pear-shaped before he even leaves the tavern, leading to a frantic voyage involving a stolen identity, a remarkably resourceful young woman named Sally (Juliet Mills), and the decidedly cowardly Captain Fearless (Kenneth Williams). Directed by series stalwart Gerald Thomas, the film features a lively score composed by Eric Rogers and marks Talbot Rothwell's second Carry On script following his debut with Carry On Cabby. But what makes Jack a particularly fascinating watch is who isn't on deck. Scott is joined by Steven, Tony, and Mark to debate a crucial question for the franchise's history: does the film suffer from a lack of familiar faces like Sid James and Joan Sims, or do Cribbins and Mills make a thoroughly welcome addition to the family? Along with spotting Jim Dale (making another welcome appearance after Cabby) and enjoying Charles Hawtrey as the hapless Walter Sweetley, we'll be unpacking the picture in our familiar warm, conversational, and lightly irreverent style. This episode, along with the complete Reel Britannia back catalogue, is available wherever listeners download their podcasts and at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia (https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia) Listeners can also follow the podcast on X at @rbritanniapod. If you're enjoying our cinematic voyages, please note that special bonus episodes are available through the Reel Britannia Patreon, inviting listeners to support the podcast and enjoy additional film discussions. #CarryOnJack #BernardCribbins #JulietMills #KennethWilliams #BritishComedy #BritishCinema #CarryOnFilms #ReelBritannia #Podcast

2. 

   29 Aug 2026

   Episode 203 - Casino Royale (1967)

   A Licence to Confuse and a Swinging Sixties Spectacle For episode 203 of the Reel Britannia podcast, we are tumbling down a deeply psychedelic cinematic rabbit hole with the delightfully baffling 1967 spoof, Casino Royale.   The premise, should you choose to try and follow it, sees the original, legendary Sir James Bond (David Niven) coaxed out of a genteel retirement to take down the nefarious syndicate SMERSH. His tactical masterstroke? Confusing the enemy by renaming every single active agent—male or female—James Bond. Naturally, absolute chaos ensues.   Produced by Charles K. Feldman and steered by a famously sprawling committee of writers and directors, the film boasts a dizzying, star-studded cast that includes Peter Sellers, Ursula Andress, Woody Allen, and Orson Welles. But the real question we're asking this week is where exactly this extravagant behemoth fits into the 007 canon. Scott is joined by Steven, Tony, and Mark to figure out if the film is strictly for the die-hard fans, an odd little cinematic curio, a completely disjointed mess, or simply a wonderfully unhinged snapshot of the swinging sixties. Expect our familiar warm, conversational, and lightly irreverent style as we try to make sense of the glorious excess of it all.   This episode, along with the complete Reel Britannia back catalogue, is available wherever listeners download their podcasts and at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia (https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia) Listeners can also keep up with our latest ramblings and follow the podcast on X at @rbritanniapod.   If you're enjoying the show, do bear in mind that special bonus episodes are available through the Reel Britannia Patreon, inviting listeners to support the podcast and enjoy even more of our late-night film discussions. #CasinoRoyale #JamesBond #DavidNiven #PeterSellers #SwingingSixties #BritishCinema #ReelBritannia #Podcast #007 #ClassicFilm

3. 

   16 Aug 2026

   Episode 202- The Square Peg (1958)

   Digging Up Trouble Behind Enemy Lines For episode 202 of the Reel Britannia podcast, we're trading our civvies for khaki and marching straight into the chaotic world of a genuine British comedy icon. This time around, the team is discussing the 1958 Norman Wisdom classic, The Square Peg.   Directed by John Paddy Carstairs and written by Jack Davies, the film follows the hapless road mender Norman Pitkin (Wisdom, naturally) and his perpetually flustered boss Mr Grimsdale (Edward Chapman) as they find themselves unexpectedly drafted into the Pioneer Corps. Before long, the pair are parachuted into occupied France, where Pitkin discovers he is the spitting image of a ruthless Nazi commandant, General Schreiber. What follows is a brilliantly executed dual-role performance that perfectly showcases Wisdom's immense gift for physical comedy and timing.   Supported by a wonderful cast that includes Honor Blackman and the glorious Hattie Jacques, it's a masterclass in slapstick that cemented Wisdom's place as a box office giant. The Reel Britannia team will be unpacking the film in our familiar warm, conversational, and lightly irreverent style, chatting about the ingenuity of the doppelgänger setup and the sheer, exhausting energy of Pitkin's war effort.   This episode, along with the complete Reel Britannia back catalogue, is available wherever listeners download their podcasts and at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia (https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia) Listeners can also follow the podcast on X at @rbritanniapod. If you fancy even more film chat, special bonus episodes are available through the Reel Britannia Patreon. We'd love to invite listeners to support the podcast and enjoy our additional dives into the archives of British cinema. #TheSquarePeg #NormanWisdom #BritishComedy #BritishCinema #ReelBritannia #Podcast #EdwardChapman #ClassicComedy

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.5 / 5

10 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

16 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 64 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

92

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

90

Pitching Reel Britannia

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting pitches.

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