Confesiones de un instructor

"He's a sex maniac Mr Truscott, a sex maniac!" Young randy Timothy Lee and his brother-in-law Sid open up a driving school, the young lady learners can't take their hands off Tim's gear stick (pun intended, ha, ha!). They have a rivalry with a far more established and neighbouring school, owned by kilt wearing Scotsman Mr Truscott. I did not watch the "Confessions" movies in sequence but this is now my final review of them, I enjoyed "Window Cleaner" but was not very impressed with either "Pop Performer" or "Holiday Camp". This, the third movie in the series, is easily the best of the three sequels in my eyes, and probably the only one that I'd care to watch again. The always likeable Robin Askwith is back as Timmy but it is Windsor Davies as Truscott that gets my vote for best character in this film. As with the other entries expect much "Carry On" style farcical comedy but with more sex and nudity. Askwith gets naked with a number of attractive women but it is always very brief and played for laughs as opposed to pornography. Some of the comedy is just plain silly but there were a few funny laugh out loud moments too. The final part of the plot has an hilarious rugby match followed by a car chase, the film does contain some good stunts (and not just during this final part). As someone with an interest in old classics I loved seeing all the vehicles from the period. There is not much swearing to be heard but expect some language that would now be considered politically incorrect. On a trivia note Lewis Collins, who went on to gain fame in the British TV series "The Professionals", plays one of the rugby players. I have scored this 7/10, same as Window, but if I could I'd give it 6.5.

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.

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.

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.

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.