Keeping the British End Up: Four Decades of Saucy Cinema

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I blame Channel 5 who older readers will remember had nothing but these sex films on because they had bug*er all else to broadcast. Since the cinema detailed skirted line between hilarity and sexuality, it makes sense that Sheridan recounts the history and movies with his tongue firmly in cheek. Thus, the first British sex films were exposes on things like nudist camps, or sexual education films that ended up frustrating audiences expecting to see unadulterated nudity. You even had such stars as Joan Collins stripping off in "The Bitch" and "The Stud", thats right the same star of TV's "Dynasty".

There’s a disconcerting moment where she’s in bed with a George Lazenby clone (Michael Billington, who was once considered for the 007 role himself).Now the fascinating, and often surprising, true story behind this forgotten era of British moviemaking is revealed in all its colourful glory in Simon Sheridan’s landmark new documentary. As you might expect -they did and it prooved very profitable specially when they were produced so cheaply and so fast. Few Bond films in the ‘70s and ‘80s compare to the success of The Spy who loved me, when it came to epic escapist entertainment. It’s always been my dream to turn the book into a film and, for the past few months, that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. Starring Robin Askwith, Diane Keen, Linda Hayden, Oliver Tobias, Sue Longhurst and many more, scenes from KEEPING THE BRITISH END UP!

One thing for sure- somewhere along the way the Bond series re-discovered its confidence and sparkle. Sheridan compiles a definitive filmography for the very first time, and coaxes the facts from previously reclusive and reluctant interviewees.

This deluxe, expanded new full colour edition includes an updated filmography and previously unpublished interview material and stills. There are also some beautiful location shots of Egypt and the pyramids and Richard Kiel plays one of the best henchmen- the steel toothed Jaws. His film would have to be a re-make of Thunderball, as it was the only Fleming book he had the rights to, having been involved with the creation of what became Fleming’s original novel. Plus the fact that Spy does all that and manages to feel new and fresh is probably down to the panache of the presentation. While a few are worth reading, it is really for those who want a comprehensive knowledge of every film made.