I first saw this film when it was shown in the cinema in the mid 60s when the 'Carry Ons' were becoming very popular. 'Crooks in Cloisters' employs some of the actors found in the 'Carry Ons' yet the film stands alone and I think it is all the better for it. The plot line isn't as ridiculous as most of the later 'Carry Ons' were. 'Crooks in Cloisters' relates the story of a successful gang of crooks who 'disappear' from society, but especially the police, by buying an island off the Cornish coast and living upon it. The island was formerly occupied by monks who could not make enough money to keep it and the island was sold. In order to maintain the illusion of monastic occupancy the crooks dress as monks and perform their monastic duties so as not to raise the suspicion of their onshore neighbours. They succeed in the deception but all the while they continue their crooked activities, only reverting to their monastic roles when visitors call. But the simple monastic life slowly changes their attitude towards their criminal activities and when the gang boss says it is time to 'reappear' in society, they don't want to leave the island. During their self imposed isolation they have acquired new skills: cooking, farming, care of animals and the land, etc They have succeeded where the former monks had failed through their hard work. The crooks begin to enjoy life again and they have come to regard the island as their new home. But bad habits die hard and 'monks betting on horses' attracts the attention of the police who are waiting onshore when the crooks step out of their boat. The film was made on location in Cornwall and in the film studios near London. The onshore monastery chosen to represent the island is real and is located a couple miles from where I live. The island is fictitious. It seems to me that crooks living on an island masquerading as monks isn't as daft as it might seem and 'Crooks in Cloisters' does as excellent job in capturing the many problems they faced but overcome. I originally purchased this film on VHS but I have since acquired two DVD copies. It is a film to treasure because it is carefully crafted and thoughtfully presented.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I'm glad I bought it good actors in it great film
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Love the old school films, much better than than modern SHITE.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Excellent comedy film
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Case an disc was in good condition
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best-selling in DVDs & Blu-rays
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-rays