CONFESSIONS OF A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR one for all lovers of highbrow comedy, witty, clever, cool, incisive in it almost devastating portrait of 1970's working class life - Mike Leigh and Ken Loach's films have nothing on this one, obvious inspiration for the later comedies of Richard Curtis - don't worry, just joking - instead it's a very broad unembarrassed Carry On style comedy - If you hate the Carry On's,WATCH SOMETHING ELSE. For the rest of us, there's some great talent on display - and not just in a female sense - Windsor Davies, Avril Angers, the great Irene Handl, Doris Hare, Donald Hewlett, Geoffrey Hughes, George Layton, to name but a few - Best of all is Liz Fraser as the very lusty landlady Mrs Chalmers - She's one landlady who would have no trouble getting her rent - a stunning looking woman, even as here at the age of 43 - very underrated character actress as well - pity she's not seen more these days. She would be a natural now for playing the sort of part that the great Irene plays in this one ( The splendidly named Miss Slenderparts ). See Liz in a later Minder episode, if you have any doubts. Also watch out for Sally Adez as the female instructor - wow, what a babe!. On a trivia note another great character, Sam Kydd featured in the first cut of the film as Mr Gilson but was cut out to bring the running time down to 90 minutes. So give it a chance !.
15 Reviews
Malchwriter is on the ball!
davoshannon26 December 2005
It's st. Stephen's Day / Boxing day, and I'm so bored I'm watching Driving Instructor again.
Delighted to see Malchwriter (comment above) get the little add-in bits which highlight why the entire Carry On and Confessions series were such a turning point for British cinema. We might have grown up on them, but Elstree was financially screwed shortly thereafter. Brian Rix did farces which were silly but funny, Confessions is a sort of a farce but wasn't really, and in the '90's 'Allo 'Allo resurrected the entire genre to devastating effect.
But on to why I'd watch it again. Was Sally Adez the girl who passed Robin Askwith as an Instructor (only noticed her name because of "Malchwriter")?. If so, her underwear is a wonderful example of why the '60's and '70's could be so much fun. And Lis Frazer's appearance early on in the film (while the daughter is otherwise engaged) - Beautiful.
Delighted to see Malchwriter (comment above) get the little add-in bits which highlight why the entire Carry On and Confessions series were such a turning point for British cinema. We might have grown up on them, but Elstree was financially screwed shortly thereafter. Brian Rix did farces which were silly but funny, Confessions is a sort of a farce but wasn't really, and in the '90's 'Allo 'Allo resurrected the entire genre to devastating effect.
But on to why I'd watch it again. Was Sally Adez the girl who passed Robin Askwith as an Instructor (only noticed her name because of "Malchwriter")?. If so, her underwear is a wonderful example of why the '60's and '70's could be so much fun. And Lis Frazer's appearance early on in the film (while the daughter is otherwise engaged) - Beautiful.
Pretty bad, it has to be said
Leofwine_draca31 January 2015
CONFESSIONS OF A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR is the third of the CONFESSIONS series, which start out with the surprisingly enjoyable CONFESSIONS OF A WINDOW CLEANER. Sadly, this film is far from enjoyable: it's saddled with a rubbish script, peppered with dumb jokes and scenarios which simply rehash those that have come before.
The main cast are all present and correct, but it really is a case of ever decreasing circles this time around. Robin Askwith tries his best as a cheeky chappy whose attempts at the titular career get him embroiled in all manner of sexual shenanigans, but his schtick is wearing thin by now. Anthony Booth is relegated to the sidelines, and Bill Maynard barely gets a cameo.
Better are Windsor Davies as the villain of the piece and George Layton as his gloriously un-PC sidekick Bender, who ends up being the butt of some homophobic humour. The film also includes an early role for Lynda Bellingham as the film's romantic interest, although her performance is hardly great; better are veteran players Liz Fraser and Irene Handl who have some funny scenes between them. Sadly, such effective moments of humour are few and far between in what is overall a lacklustre movie.
The main cast are all present and correct, but it really is a case of ever decreasing circles this time around. Robin Askwith tries his best as a cheeky chappy whose attempts at the titular career get him embroiled in all manner of sexual shenanigans, but his schtick is wearing thin by now. Anthony Booth is relegated to the sidelines, and Bill Maynard barely gets a cameo.
Better are Windsor Davies as the villain of the piece and George Layton as his gloriously un-PC sidekick Bender, who ends up being the butt of some homophobic humour. The film also includes an early role for Lynda Bellingham as the film's romantic interest, although her performance is hardly great; better are veteran players Liz Fraser and Irene Handl who have some funny scenes between them. Sadly, such effective moments of humour are few and far between in what is overall a lacklustre movie.
It's all relative
lazarillo12 July 2009
This is probably the weakest of the British "Confessions of" series which was generally inferior (albeit much more nudity-saturated) than the much longer running "Carry On" series. Still, if you're talking about British T and A films (I guess that would be "teats and arses"), the "Confessions of" series was the top of the heap, and even this weaker entry is a lot better than most. In this entry (which follows the superior "Confessions of a Pop Performer") Timmy Lea and his brother-in-law Sid have opened up a driving school. All of their customers, of course, are beautiful, sex-crazed women except for one half-blind septuagenarian (Irene Handl). And, of course, they're ALL terrible drivers. As usual "Timmy" has a truly ridiculous amount of sex, but true love--this time with the rugby-obsessed daughter (Linda Bellingham) of the owners of a rival driving school--continues to elude him.
Robin Askwith who plays "Timmy" is about the same as ever, but his goofy family--brother-in-law Sid, his housewife sister, and his cantankerous provincial parents--again provide the best comedy. Bellingham, who was the wife of the producer, probably benefited from nepotism to some extent because she is pretty weak, especially compared to Linda Hayden who typically played the main love interest in these. As for the rest of the girls, you get to see all of Suzy Mandel, but not enough of her as she only has a small part. Sally Faulkner too has a small part as a "golf widow" who somehow ends up up naked in a sand-trap with "Timmy" while her negligent husband plays a round of golf. Faulkner was not ridiculously sexy like Mandel or Mary Millington, but she always made the most of these small comedy-type roles (she also appeared in Jose Larraz's "Vampyres" and later played Glory Annnen's murderous lesbian lover in Norman J. Warren's "Prey").
It really depends on what you compare it to, but I would probably recommend this. It's funnier than most T and A films, and has more T and A than most of the funnier Britidsh films.
Robin Askwith who plays "Timmy" is about the same as ever, but his goofy family--brother-in-law Sid, his housewife sister, and his cantankerous provincial parents--again provide the best comedy. Bellingham, who was the wife of the producer, probably benefited from nepotism to some extent because she is pretty weak, especially compared to Linda Hayden who typically played the main love interest in these. As for the rest of the girls, you get to see all of Suzy Mandel, but not enough of her as she only has a small part. Sally Faulkner too has a small part as a "golf widow" who somehow ends up up naked in a sand-trap with "Timmy" while her negligent husband plays a round of golf. Faulkner was not ridiculously sexy like Mandel or Mary Millington, but she always made the most of these small comedy-type roles (she also appeared in Jose Larraz's "Vampyres" and later played Glory Annnen's murderous lesbian lover in Norman J. Warren's "Prey").
It really depends on what you compare it to, but I would probably recommend this. It's funnier than most T and A films, and has more T and A than most of the funnier Britidsh films.
Crap, like all the other confessions of...series
Rhythmbandit6 October 2001
This is probably one of the worst films ever created and I doubt you will EVER want to see it. EVER. The story is crap and its not one bit funny. Its not even sexual at all DONT SEE IT
3/10 If you like this (and i dont know why) try Confessions of a window cleaner and the others which are all crap.
3/10 If you like this (and i dont know why) try Confessions of a window cleaner and the others which are all crap.
Confessions of a Driving Instructor
jboothmillard5 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Confessions of a Window Cleaner was rubbish, the sequel Pop Performer was terrible, essentially smuttier versions of the Carry On films, I had a strong feeling that this, the third film in the franchise, was going to be as bad as the previous two, directed by Norman Cohen (Dad's Army: The Movie). Basically, optimistic but clumsy Timothy "Timmy" Lea (Robin Askwith) is starting his driving instructor's exam, but the Chief Examiner (Donald Hewlett) is replaced by a Female Examiner (Sally Adez). When they pull over to have sex, their vigorous movement causes the car to fall apart. Timmy narrates his day-to-day activities, and goes to visit his parents, Mr. Lea (Bill Maynard) and Mrs. Lea (Dandy Nichols). As he tells them that he passed his exam, his father brings home another one of many trinkets and junk he finds at the lost property office, a panda charity collection box. Truscott Driving School is competing against Dumphrey School of Motoring. Timmy and his brother-in-law Sidney "Sid" Noggett (Anthony Booth, Cherie Blair's father) go to Truscott's office. Timmy tries to move a fish tank, only to soak the secretary Mary (Lynda Bellingham), Truscott's daughter. They are caught by Henry Truscott (It Ain't Half Hot Mum's Windsor Davies) and his business partner Tony Bender (George Layton), who has a very snorty laugh, inform Timmy and Sid they are in the wrong office. The driving school building they are working in is run-down place, but Sid's wife Rosie (Sheila White) is happy to have a flat above it for them and their toddler Jason (Daniel Chamberlain). Their new secretary Avril Chalmers (Maxine Casson) offers Timmy a place to stay. They soon have customers; Timmy takes Mrs. Hargreaves for driving lessons, while Sid takes Miss Slenderparts (Irene Handl) who has failed 43 times. Timmy and Mrs. Hargreaves have sex in the car; he honks the car horn as the police pass. The police chase them until they lose them, they pull over to find a shed to have sex in. The shed is lifted by a crane, and they are surrounded by construction workers. Later, Timmy meets Avril's mother Mrs. Chalmers (Liz Fraser). During the night, Avril comes into Timmy's room in a nightie and wants to have sex, hiding under the covers when there is a knock at the door. Mrs. Chalmers comes in in a nightie to seduce him but is confused about what he is doing under the covers. Timmy and Avril have sex in a sped-up sequence. Timmy drives Mary's father's treasured Bentley and he and Mary spend some time together. Timmy wears a crash helmet whilst on a test with Mrs. Slenderparts; she misunderstands instructions, drives on the wrong side of the road, and they end up on top of a vehicle transporter. Timmy joins Mary at a house party, where he accidentally spits wine in Bender's face, and catches a tablecloth in his flies. Timmy and Mary drive away and start to have sex in the car, but he takes the handbrake off and they go down the hill into the lake. The accident makes the front page of the local newspaper, which upsets Sid, but the article gets more customers booking lessons. Timmy takes a lesson with a new customer Mrs. Dent (Sally Faulkner) who does well, she asks for a walk. They walk onto a golf course; they kiss in the bunker before she is hit on the head by a golf ball. Truscott and Bender are there, they catch them and get into a fight. After Truscott and Bender leave, Timmy and Mrs. Dent have sex in the bunker where two old ladies are playing. The Postman (Geoffrey Hughes), who tells bad jokes, delivers a package from Denmark to Druscott, it is regarding a sexual rejuvenation clinic. Truscott and Bender discuss Timmy and Sid's driving lessons company, Noglea, taking their customers and talk about a merger. Timmy drives Lady Cynthia Snodley (Chrissy Iddon) who has dogs, she asks if they can go to her house and for him to model for her. Lord Edgar Snodley (Fawlty Towers' Ballard Berkeley) catches them as she tries to seduce him. Timmy runs away as Lord Snodley shoots at him. He gets back to Avril's house, where he and Avril's mother have sex in the bath. Timmy spends the evening with Mary, but her parents come home. They hide in the cupboard while Truscott and his wife Helen (Avril Angers) take sexual stimulant pills and go upstairs to have sex. Sid and Timmy go with their parents and Sid's wife to a restaurant to celebrate their anniversary and then they go to a local rugby tournament. After a rugby player drops out and Timmy takes his place. Sid puts the sexual stimulant pills in Timmy's orange juice drink to give him energy, but Bender drinks it, he ends up craving to have sex with Mary and drives away with her. Truscott and Timmy chase after them in the Bentley. With all the chaos they have caused, Sid and Timmy consider moving on to their next venture. Sid sees a poster for a holiday camp (the next film) before Timmy is crane lifted in a car in a scrapyard. Also starring Peter Godfrey as PC Wood, John Junkin as Luigi, and Damaris Hayman as Tweedy Golfing Lady. Askwith as the accident-prone lead is okay, Booth as his brother-in-law and Maynard as his father are mildly amusing, but British talents Davies and Fraser are wasted in supporting roles. The script relies on obvious and ineffective innuendos, the visual jokes involving mishaps are just embarrassing, the high amount of nudity is too crude to find arousing or enjoyable, most of the time you are just left open-mouthed and almost nauseous, it is a highly dreadful, deplorable, unfunny sex comedy. Poor!
From the days when even driving instructors didn't wear seat-belts.
BA_Harrison16 February 2009
Between the miserable kitchen sink dramas of the 60s and the depressing social realism movies of the 80s, British cinema gave us the wonderful 'Confessions' sex-farcesa series of silly comedies which glossed over such trifles as the 3 day week, endless power cuts, unemployment, and industrial action to bring UK cinema-goers the simpler delights of the three 'b'sbums, boobs and bush.
Confessions of a Driving Instructor, the third in the bawdy series, once again sees Robin Askwith as cheeky chappie Timmy Lea, an instructor at a driving school owned by brother-in-law Sidney (Anthony Booth). Despite having a particularly gormless mug, women inexplicably throw themselves at Timmy, and his new profession provides him with endless opportunities to get his leg over with a bevy of beautiful babes, including his sexy landlady (busty Liz Fraser), her equally up-for-it daughter, eager first student Miss Hargreaves (the stunning Suzy Mandel), posh crumpet Lady Snodley, and even Mary (Bisto mum, Lynda Bellingham), the awfully nice daughter of business rival Mr Truscott (Windsor Davies).
Cue lots of sexual innuendo ("shall we try the 69 together?", says Bellingam before opening a bottle of wine), plenty of Benny Hill style speeded-up shagging, and much full frontal nudity from Timmy's conquests (although we only get a single boob from Bellingham, whilst Fraser is content to just wear some sexy lingerie). For fans of un-PC humour, there's also a tad of working class racism and a touch of homophobia for good measure ("you dirty queer... no wonder they call you Bender" shouts Windsor's character at his lackey).
Although it certainly isn't the most sophisticated film to have emerged from Elstree studios, Driving Instructor is still a very enjoyable moviea cinematic time-capsule from the decade of wife-swapping, dolly birds, flared jeans, X-certificate movies, and Ford Cortinas, and one that even occasionally manages to be every bit as revealing about British folk as its more serious cinematic counterparts.
Confessions of a Driving Instructor, the third in the bawdy series, once again sees Robin Askwith as cheeky chappie Timmy Lea, an instructor at a driving school owned by brother-in-law Sidney (Anthony Booth). Despite having a particularly gormless mug, women inexplicably throw themselves at Timmy, and his new profession provides him with endless opportunities to get his leg over with a bevy of beautiful babes, including his sexy landlady (busty Liz Fraser), her equally up-for-it daughter, eager first student Miss Hargreaves (the stunning Suzy Mandel), posh crumpet Lady Snodley, and even Mary (Bisto mum, Lynda Bellingham), the awfully nice daughter of business rival Mr Truscott (Windsor Davies).
Cue lots of sexual innuendo ("shall we try the 69 together?", says Bellingam before opening a bottle of wine), plenty of Benny Hill style speeded-up shagging, and much full frontal nudity from Timmy's conquests (although we only get a single boob from Bellingham, whilst Fraser is content to just wear some sexy lingerie). For fans of un-PC humour, there's also a tad of working class racism and a touch of homophobia for good measure ("you dirty queer... no wonder they call you Bender" shouts Windsor's character at his lackey).
Although it certainly isn't the most sophisticated film to have emerged from Elstree studios, Driving Instructor is still a very enjoyable moviea cinematic time-capsule from the decade of wife-swapping, dolly birds, flared jeans, X-certificate movies, and Ford Cortinas, and one that even occasionally manages to be every bit as revealing about British folk as its more serious cinematic counterparts.
Cock Robin Strikes Again!
ShadeGrenade17 June 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Having been both window cleaner and pop performer, accident-prone Timothy Lea ( Robin Askwith ) embarks on another of his brother-in-law Sid Noggett's ( Tony Booth ) daft, money-making schemes, this time buying Dumphrey's run-down driving school, which they rename 'Noglea'.
Unfortunately, they have a rival next door in the shape of the Truscott School of Motoring, run by pompous Henry Truscott ( Windsor Davies ) and his creepy minion Tony Bender ( George Layton ). Timmy takes a fancy to the former's posh daughter Mary ( Lynda Bellingham ). When not courting her, he is seduced by practically every female he meets, including his landlady 'Mrs.Chalmers' ( Liz Fraser ), her nymphet daughter 'Avril' ( Maxine Casson ) and 'Lady Snodley' ( Chrissy Iddon ).
The best place to see a 'Confessions' film is the cinema. Rather like Bond movies, they lose something on the small screen. It is hard to explain their appeal to anyone who was not alive in the '70's. You had to be there. Yes, they're sexist, homophobic, racist etc. That's why we love 'em! 'Driving Instructor' is my favourite, mainly because of Windsor Davies' Sean Connery impersonation and the irreplaceable Irene Handl as a senile learner. George Layton's 'Bender' is not unlike Richard O'Sullivan's 'Bingham' from the L.W.T. 'Doctor' series, in which Layton played 'Dr.Paul Collier'.
Bill Maynard's fight with the Italian waiter ( John Junkin ) is a scream, as is Damaris Hayman's short-sighted golfer whacking Timmy's bare bum with a golf club, and there are good car stunts by Rocky Taylor. Ed Welch's title theme is great too.
Funniest moment? Lord Snodley ( Ballard Berkeley from 'Fawlty Towers' ) catches Timmy making love to his wife, and sets his hunting dogs on him. Tally Ho!
Lynda Bellingham was then married to producer Greg Smith. In an interview at the time, Robin expressed a desire ( no, not that sort ) to direct a 'Confessions', but it never happened. I wonder what it would have been like.
Given the storyline - rival driving schools competing for custom - it is kind of ironic that in the year this was released, the 'Confessions' series itself acquired a rival - Stanley A.Long's 'Adventures Of A Taxi Driver' starring Barry Evans and Judy Geeson. Actors such as Liz Fraser were poached. It proved equally popular. I do not think Greg Smith had cause for complaint though, seeing how 'Confessions' was a carbon-copy of the 'Carry On' movies to start with.
Big hit though this was ( rightly so ), the end was nigh for Timmy Lea. One more movie - 'Confessions From A Holiday Camp' - and his ardour would be dampened forever. It was probably just as well. You could not imagine a 'Confessions' movie being made in the 1980's. What would it have been called? 'Confessions Of A Dole Signer'?
Unfortunately, they have a rival next door in the shape of the Truscott School of Motoring, run by pompous Henry Truscott ( Windsor Davies ) and his creepy minion Tony Bender ( George Layton ). Timmy takes a fancy to the former's posh daughter Mary ( Lynda Bellingham ). When not courting her, he is seduced by practically every female he meets, including his landlady 'Mrs.Chalmers' ( Liz Fraser ), her nymphet daughter 'Avril' ( Maxine Casson ) and 'Lady Snodley' ( Chrissy Iddon ).
The best place to see a 'Confessions' film is the cinema. Rather like Bond movies, they lose something on the small screen. It is hard to explain their appeal to anyone who was not alive in the '70's. You had to be there. Yes, they're sexist, homophobic, racist etc. That's why we love 'em! 'Driving Instructor' is my favourite, mainly because of Windsor Davies' Sean Connery impersonation and the irreplaceable Irene Handl as a senile learner. George Layton's 'Bender' is not unlike Richard O'Sullivan's 'Bingham' from the L.W.T. 'Doctor' series, in which Layton played 'Dr.Paul Collier'.
Bill Maynard's fight with the Italian waiter ( John Junkin ) is a scream, as is Damaris Hayman's short-sighted golfer whacking Timmy's bare bum with a golf club, and there are good car stunts by Rocky Taylor. Ed Welch's title theme is great too.
Funniest moment? Lord Snodley ( Ballard Berkeley from 'Fawlty Towers' ) catches Timmy making love to his wife, and sets his hunting dogs on him. Tally Ho!
Lynda Bellingham was then married to producer Greg Smith. In an interview at the time, Robin expressed a desire ( no, not that sort ) to direct a 'Confessions', but it never happened. I wonder what it would have been like.
Given the storyline - rival driving schools competing for custom - it is kind of ironic that in the year this was released, the 'Confessions' series itself acquired a rival - Stanley A.Long's 'Adventures Of A Taxi Driver' starring Barry Evans and Judy Geeson. Actors such as Liz Fraser were poached. It proved equally popular. I do not think Greg Smith had cause for complaint though, seeing how 'Confessions' was a carbon-copy of the 'Carry On' movies to start with.
Big hit though this was ( rightly so ), the end was nigh for Timmy Lea. One more movie - 'Confessions From A Holiday Camp' - and his ardour would be dampened forever. It was probably just as well. You could not imagine a 'Confessions' movie being made in the 1980's. What would it have been called? 'Confessions Of A Dole Signer'?
Best Of The Confessions Films
crossbow010622 May 2011
This is more of the same in this series of four films starring Robin Askwith as Timothy Lea. In this film, he becomes a driving instructor (the opening sequence in how he becomes one is predictable but funny) and works for Sid (Anthony Booth), his brother in law. There is lots of nudity (even a Scottish Pipe Band gets stripped!), but this film benefits from supporting roles, most notably Irene Handl as Miss Slenderpants, vying to finally get her license after 43 tries and Liz Fraser, still sexy and fun. This is a check your brains at the door sex comedy, but to me its the best of the four, since it doesn't rely only on the sexual escapades. Films like this were hugely popular then, so it was successful. Its not bad.
Poor Carry On Humour
dazwald200017 June 2003
Despite having a good cast the film is let down by an abysmal script although I enjoyed some of the jokes it is not a film I would recommend to anyone. Robin Askwith in my opinion could have done alot better but was wasted in the confessions series and why the likes of Windsor Davies and John Le Mesuier appeared is beyond me as both had careers at the time.
More sexcapades with Askwith driving us crazy
PeterMitchell-506-5643644 December 2012
Clumsy clut, Askwith, a so so actor, who's a better looking version of Mick Jagger, his character, Timmy Lea, the English version of Alvin Purple, though this poor sod or lucky sod is much more accident prone, goes in another partnership deal with his brother in law Sydney (Booth) opening up a new driving school. Again like all the confessions movies, there's a lot of boobies, sex, some naughty full nudity, laughs, and accidents, but not just on Askwith's behalf. One old woman driver who's failed her test 43 times, and has been through every driving instructor, takes Askwith on one hell of a ride, causing some near misses with pedestrians, bicyclists. She also takes him the wrong way down a one way road (remember To Live And Die In L.A) You'll split your sides when you see where they end up in this crazy and very funny misdriving sequence. Our two entrepreneurs are at war with a classier driving school, situated right next door. Is that even possible? Of course Askwith, romeo that he is, is getting into hot water with the boss's daughter of this school and her lover, again causing complications for his brother in law. I love Askwith's Grandad in this. He's a hoot, a hoarder of crap he finds and brings home. This is one of the better confessions. The scene with the chocolate eclair is funny too, and tempting, as I just love chocolate eclairs. The reason why this is funnier I guess, is it's setting. You can bring up so many jokes and situations from driving schools. And Timmy Lea like Alvin Purple, is an enigma when it comes to the whys of them being sex magnets. If you're a confessions fan like I am, and haven't seen this one, see it. I promise you, you'll be in for a treat.
Confeesions of a driving instructor
lreiselt30 January 2007
Confessions is hilarious and light hearted British humor much in the vein of Monty Python although it is unrelated. I have tried for years to find a copy but have been unable. I first saw it while staying at The Heathrow Hotel in 1977. It is rather fast moving and a bit risqué by the standards of that time. I was part of a large conference staying at the hotel at the time that I saw it and when an elderly couple that I knew and who were quite conservative came down for dinner they looked rather stricken. It seems that while flipping through the TV channels in their room they came upon the movie. I did my best to pretend not to have already seen it (several times) and all that they would say was that when they turned it on it was at the time on a golf course. Thinking that they had in fact found golf they were appalled at the next scene and would only say that they saw a couple doing something which "should not be done on TV." Even with that small bit of info they were red faced.
If you like Classic British comedy you'll like it.
If you like Classic British comedy you'll like it.
"It took two of his mates to hold him up while he proposed!"
Groverdox23 January 2023
In the first scene of "Confessions of a Driving Instructor", our hapless hero Timmy Lea has a driving lesson with a woman who is obviously attractive, but she is inexplicably dressed to hide this attribute. Of course, Lea ends up in congress with her anyway, parking the car somewhere and apparently trying to inhale her entire body through his mouth, so wide open is it while French kissing. While he's getting it on, the car starts to go crazy, apparently having a mind of its own. The mirrors and antennae and other appurtenances start spinning around of their own accord, and eventually the bonnet comes completely off, exposing the engine.
It's like a scene out of a horror movie.
Despite its mostly-awfulness, this movie actually got a laugh out of me. I don't think I laughed at any of the other Confessions flicks, nor at any British sexploitation flick. It's easy to see why Askwith is the undisputed king of British sex comedies. Despite how much sex his character has, he keeps him down to earth and relatable. He seems to understand our sense of disbelief that he's getting so much female attention. More than understanding, he seems to share it. And he knows how to make his good-natured, hapless character funny, such as in the gag that made me laugh, when he is nervous talking to a beautiful woman and abruptly stretches his arm out, knocking an old woman in the head by mistake.
There's a scene where Timmy Lea gives a driving lesson to an old woman who doesn't understand his instructions and has constant near-misses with other road users. This scene goes on far too long and it starts feeling like you are in the car with them, which is not a good feeling.
I suppose it is the norm for these movies to be episodic, with a different woman Timmy beds in each episode, but I'd never noticed that so much with the other movies in the series than I did here. At one point Lea's girl takes him to a golf course where they have sex in the rough and a visually-impaired female golfer tees off with her ball between Lea's butt cheeks. Next up he's posing semi-naked for an eccentric posh lady.
What's interesting is that despite the constant onslaught of amorous ladies Lea always remains awkward and inexperienced. It's like one of those old TV shows where every episode begins at the same point, and the characters never seem to grow.
It's also surprisingly homoerotic. Lea's bum makes a few appearances, as does the sight of his near-naked body in skimpy briefs. I one bathtub sex scene, we don't see the lady du jour's breasts, but we certainly see Askwith's thrusting, bare posterior.
I was just about to call "Driving Instructor" the best Confessions movie, but then it ended with a rugby game that was apparently shot for laughs, but isn't funny at all, and another car chase. Had the producers just seen "The French Connection"?
It's still pretty good.
It's like a scene out of a horror movie.
Despite its mostly-awfulness, this movie actually got a laugh out of me. I don't think I laughed at any of the other Confessions flicks, nor at any British sexploitation flick. It's easy to see why Askwith is the undisputed king of British sex comedies. Despite how much sex his character has, he keeps him down to earth and relatable. He seems to understand our sense of disbelief that he's getting so much female attention. More than understanding, he seems to share it. And he knows how to make his good-natured, hapless character funny, such as in the gag that made me laugh, when he is nervous talking to a beautiful woman and abruptly stretches his arm out, knocking an old woman in the head by mistake.
There's a scene where Timmy Lea gives a driving lesson to an old woman who doesn't understand his instructions and has constant near-misses with other road users. This scene goes on far too long and it starts feeling like you are in the car with them, which is not a good feeling.
I suppose it is the norm for these movies to be episodic, with a different woman Timmy beds in each episode, but I'd never noticed that so much with the other movies in the series than I did here. At one point Lea's girl takes him to a golf course where they have sex in the rough and a visually-impaired female golfer tees off with her ball between Lea's butt cheeks. Next up he's posing semi-naked for an eccentric posh lady.
What's interesting is that despite the constant onslaught of amorous ladies Lea always remains awkward and inexperienced. It's like one of those old TV shows where every episode begins at the same point, and the characters never seem to grow.
It's also surprisingly homoerotic. Lea's bum makes a few appearances, as does the sight of his near-naked body in skimpy briefs. I one bathtub sex scene, we don't see the lady du jour's breasts, but we certainly see Askwith's thrusting, bare posterior.
I was just about to call "Driving Instructor" the best Confessions movie, but then it ended with a rugby game that was apparently shot for laughs, but isn't funny at all, and another car chase. Had the producers just seen "The French Connection"?
It's still pretty good.
Another quality movie
peterjamesyates28 February 2002
Another reviewer might have said the Confessions films were cr*p. Driving Instructor is arguably the least worst of the series, but they are one star pictures - if not Bombs. I find this film worth a look for historical interest. Anthony Booth is always dreadful; Robin Askwith a bit more likeable.
Of its time, a mix of funny and awful.
Sleepin_Dragon21 April 2024
The Brothers embark on a new business, after previous failed attempts, they're now running a driving school, but things don't quite go to plan.
Of its time, I can think of nothing more appropriate to say about it, at times it's an amusing look at 70's Britain, at times it's dismally written hogwash. People often compare this series to the Carry ons, I wouldn't say they're in the same league. I think it could perhaps be the best of The Confessions movies.
Some of the jokes land so badly, we have spinning wing mirrors and jumping out filing cabinets, humour that hasn't aged well (was it funny in 1976?)
There are some funny moments however, courtesy of the likes of the wonderful Irene Handl, she's great as always. I also thought Windsor Davies was pretty funny, always baffled me to see him with a Scottish accent.
Star of the show is the glamorous and glorious Liz Fraser, who's perhaps wasted here, that figure is jaw dropping.
Expect several nude scenes, you'll get full frontal, and more of Robin Askwith's bottom than you can deal with.
6/10.
Of its time, I can think of nothing more appropriate to say about it, at times it's an amusing look at 70's Britain, at times it's dismally written hogwash. People often compare this series to the Carry ons, I wouldn't say they're in the same league. I think it could perhaps be the best of The Confessions movies.
Some of the jokes land so badly, we have spinning wing mirrors and jumping out filing cabinets, humour that hasn't aged well (was it funny in 1976?)
There are some funny moments however, courtesy of the likes of the wonderful Irene Handl, she's great as always. I also thought Windsor Davies was pretty funny, always baffled me to see him with a Scottish accent.
Star of the show is the glamorous and glorious Liz Fraser, who's perhaps wasted here, that figure is jaw dropping.
Expect several nude scenes, you'll get full frontal, and more of Robin Askwith's bottom than you can deal with.
6/10.
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