The Bargee

The Bargee is a 1964 British comedy film directed by Duncan Wood, and starring Harry H. Corbett, Hugh Griffith, Eric Sykes and Ronnie Barker. The screenplay was written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

Hemel Pike (Harry H. Corbett) and his cousin Ronnie (Ronnie Barker) are two boatmen operating a canal-boat and its butty for British Waterways on the Grand Union Canal. Though the canals are struggling due to declining traffic, Hemel refuses to leave the canals and is protective of his traditional lifestyle. He also has a reputation as a Don Juan, with girlfriends all across the canal network, something which Ronnie, always unlucky in love, is envious of.

Hemel and Ronnie deliver a cargo of lemon peel from Brentford to Boxmoor, meeting an inept mariner (Eric Sykes) en route. Both parties stop at Rickmansworth, where Hemel is due to meet one of his many lovers, a barmaid called Nelly (Miriam Karlin), who chases him away on learning of his libertine lifestyle. On escaping, Hemel and Ronnie reach Boxmoor ahead of schedule, and deliver their cargo before travelling empty to Birmingham.

On the way to Birmingham, Hemel plans to stop at Leg O'Mutton Lock to meet Christine (Julia Foster), the daughter of brutish, bullying lock-keeper Joe Turnbull (Hugh Griffith). Hemel thinks highly of Christine, but knows that their love is dangerous, as Joe loathes the thought of his daughter becoming associated with canal-workers and chases off any who even speak to her. On arrival, Ronnie distracts Joe with a heavy-drinking contest at the local pub, while Hemel and Christine get together. Christine, who hates the idea of living on the canal, attempts to persuade Hemel to leave the canal and get a job on land, but Hemel refuses, and then narrowly escapes from being caught by Joe who has returned home drunk.