No Sex Please - We're British

No Sex Please - We're British is a 1973 farce film directed by Cliff Owen. The movie is based on the long-running British farce of the same name, written by Alistair Foot and Anthony Marriott. With a star-studded British cast, the film features household names such as Ronnie Corbett, Beryl Reid, and Arthur Lowe.

The comedic escapade is set in a London-based bank. The main character, Peter Hunter (Ronnie Corbett), is an assistant bank manager who lives above his branch with his new bride, Frances (Susan Penhaligon). The newlyweds appear to be looking forward to their future and settling into normal married life. However, this doesn’t last long as they soon find themselves embroiled in an unexpected disaster.

The hilarity begins when unwittingly, they become recipients of a steady stream of Scandinavian adult material including photographs, books, and eventually films. The source of the material is a mail-order company thanks to a simple mix-up. What should have been harmless glassware, courtesy of the innocent bride's innocent intentions of creating domestic bliss for her and her husband, instead turns their life topsy-turvy.

Their attempts to dispose of the explicit material and stop the deliveries, without ringing any alarm bells, form the crux of the plot. Through a series of misfortunate events involving asymmetrical misunderstandings and devious dissimulations, the movie transcends into a pandemonium of laugh-out-loud situations.

Their situation is further complicated with a host of characters coming into the mix. Each adds their own unique flavor to the comedy stew of this film.

On one end of the spectrum is the character of Mr. Bromley (Arthur Lowe), an uptight bank inspector who arrives for a surprise inspection amidst the chaos. His stern demeanor and immaculate commitment to professionalism contrast beautifully with the farcical proceedings and intensify the comic tension.

On the other end is Brian Runnicles (Michael Bates), a well-meaning junior employee at the bank. Brian’s clumsy attempts to assist Peter, his boss, add to the confusion resulting in much hilarity.

In the meantime, Eleanor Hunter (Beryl Reid), Peter's nosy and conservative mother, with her own preconceived notions about the newlyweds, further fuels the anticipation of impending disaster in the plot.

The charm of this movie lies in the quick-paced, carefully timed, and hilariously orchestrated scenes that feed off the wonderful chemistry of the cast. From the tight and polished script, the running visual gags to the slapstick humor, No Sex Please - We're British delivers delightfully risqué British humor at its best.

Although the overall plot centers around adult material, the film navigates the subject matter in a manner that is both subtle and funny. At no point does it resort to offensive humor or explicit scenes, adhering instead to the quintessential, tongue-in-cheek, British style of comedy where it is more about what is left unsaid than what is overtly projected.

Given the era in which it was made, the movie also offers a fascinating glimpse into the British social milieu of the 70s. The bank setting, the typical London apartment, the fashion, and the dialogues all depict a time when societal norms and values were much different from today.

No Sex Please - We're British maintains a light-hearted and humorous atmosphere throughout its entirety, ensuring that every scene is better than the preceding one. It artfully keeps viewers on the edge, with the anticipation of what comedic event or character will appear next, thus making the whole narrative a delightful rollercoaster ride.

This film belongs to a niche - a niche of brilliantly conceived and delightfully executed slice-of-life comedies that effectively use engaging characters, outlandish situations, and perfect comic timing to create a series of laughs that never seem to end.

Overall, No Sex Please - We're British is a fun and entertaining watch for any enthusiasts of classic British comedies. It’s sure to tickle the funny bone enough to have one doubled up in laughter, making it a timeless piece of cinema.