In January, Optimum will be releasing individual editions of the recently completed Special Editions of the first 12 Carry On films. The Carry On films have, until now, received an uneven treatment on DVD. To date there have been three separate releases of the films and while the recent Rank special editions have been a wonder, their earlier cousins have not yet received the treatment they deserve to make them a true record of Carry On history.

All that changed with the release in December 2006 of the "Complete Carry On" DVD box set; a set which while not quite complete (Columbus is missing and may be considered something of a mixed blessing) certainly contains as complete a record of each film as one might hope for. For the first time, the earlier Carry Ons received the special edition treatment, with cast and crew commentaries accompanying each film along with the long-sought-after trailers and prints which look remarkable, given the age of the films themselves.

However, some fans were put off buying the complete DVD set due to the hefty price tag. That's about to change later this month, with individual releases of those first 12 special editions, intact with all the extra features contained in the box set. As an extra bonus, the Carry On Cabby disc also contains the compilation film That's Carry On.

The quality of the prints seems to be on a par with the US Region 1 releases of these films, although on my monitor the colour does seem less saturated (some of the Anchor Bay discs seemed a little too rich). The films are presented anamorphically in their original 16:9 ratios.

Each disc is rounded off with trivia notes and a stills gallery.

There's never been a better time to buy the Carry On films on DVD. Every classic entry in the series is now available as a special edition, so you get not only the film but the story behind it as told by those who were there. What are you waiting for?

The covers for all 12 special editions are here on this page. Simply click on any film to order your copy, with a significant saving off the RRP. Or, you can order the complete run of Carry On films from Sergeant to Emmannuelle from HMV for just £149, here.

Below is a complete list of all the commentaries included on the discs. Each disc also contains that film's original theatrical trailer and other extra features.

Carry On Sergeant: Dora Bryan, Shirley Eaton and Terence Longdon.
Carry On Nurse: Shirley Eaton and Terence Longdon.
Carry On Teacher: Paul Cole, Larry Dann and Richard O’Sullivan
Carry On, Constable: Leslie Phillips.
Carry On Regardless: Liz Fraser and Terence Longdon.
Carry On Cruising: Dilys Laye and Lance Percival.
Carry On Cabby: Liz Fraser.
Carry On Jack: Bernard Cribbins.
Carry On Spying: Bernard Cribbins and Dilys Laye.
Carry On Cleo: Amanda Barrie and Julie Stevens.
Carry On Cowboy: Angela Douglas.
Carry On Screaming!: Fenella Fielding and Angela Douglas