Confessions of a Driving Instructor (1976): Most Controversial Sex Comedy Movie

In September 1976, Columbia Pictures released the third film in Britain's hugely popular Confessions series, starring Robin Askwith as Timmy Lea. Critics dismissed it. Audiences didn't. This retro cinema documentary goes behind the scenes of a forgotten piece of 1970s British film history: who made it, who was in it, what the records say about the money, and why this style of comedy faded by the end of the decade. In this video: The director and producer behind the series: Norman Cohen and Greg Smith The writer, Christopher Wood, adapting his own Timothy Lea novels, and the surprising road that led him to James Bond The cast: Robin Askwith, Anthony Booth, Windsor Davies, Irene Handl, Lynda Bellingham, Bill Maynard, Doris Hare, Liz Fraser and George Layton The story of the film in plain terms, with no spoilers for the ending The budget and box-office figures the records give us, and where they disagree Hidden details from the making of the film, including a future TV star in a rugby scene Why critics and audiences split, and why the Confessions cycle came to an end Your turn: Which Confessions film did you see first, and where? A packed cinema, late-night TV, or a rented VHS tape? Tell us in the comments. Your memories are part of this history. Watch next: Supervixens (1975), another cult film from the same era, made by a director who answered to no studio. [INSERT LINK] About this channel: Retro Cinema History & Icon Biographies tells the stories behind forgotten films, cult classics, controversial movies and cinema legends. If you love nostalgic film history, please subscribe, tap like, and turn on notifications so you never miss the next story. Sources consulted: IMDb, British Comedy Guide, Wikipedia, Deadline. Images and film excerpts are used for historical commentary and education. Related Keywords: confessions of a driving instructor, confessions of a driving instructor 1976, confessions of a driving instructor cast, confessions of a driving instructor