Confessions d'un moniteur d'auto-école

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.

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.

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 !.

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.

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.