Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Confessions of a Driving Instructor Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov October 4, 2024

Norman Cohen's "Confessions of a Driving Instructor" (1976) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new audio commentary with star Robin Askwith; new program with stuntman/stunt coordinator Rocky Taylor; archival interview with editor Geoffrey Foot; vintage promotional materials; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

"How did I do?." "Congratulations, Mr. Lea. You are now a fully qualified driving instructor".

The third of the four Confessions films, Confessions of a Driving Instructor, is my favorite. It is the only one that is easy to compare to some of the wonderful, similarly themed comedies Leslie Phillips made. It is cheeky, slightly mischievous, and oozing energy that makes its silly gags very attractive. It does not have a star that can match Phillips’ personality, but this is one of the big reasons it works. It is a good team effort, benefitting from a motley crew of actors that are all in on the fun.

Following a disastrous experience in the music industry, Timmy Lea (Robin Askwith) and his brother-in-law Sid Noggett (Anthony Booth) mastermind a new business plan to get rich quickly. This time, they set up Noglia, a private driving school and, while learning how to operate it, begin selling driving lessons to anyone who needs them. However, the two instantly realize there is a big problem with their business plan -- they are not the only ones in their newly chosen business field. Henry Truscott (Windsor Davies) and his loopy assistant Tony Bender (George Layton) from the Truscott School of Motoring have been selling driving lessons for years and deservedly earned a great reputation. On top of this, Noglia is just across the Truscott School of Motoring, making it impossible for Timmy and Sid to attract clients and not have them compare the two businesses. So, to penetrate the competition and learn its secrets, Timmy begins courting Henry’s daughter, Mary (Lynda Bellingham), who enjoys being pursued a lot more than a proper young lady should. However, it is not long before the area’s many lonely women discover that Timmy’s driving lessons are unique and begin pursuing him.

Because Confessions of a Pop Performer met expectations, Norman Cohen was brought back to direct Confessions of a Driving Instructor. Interestingly, while his work in the latter is impossible to describe as improved or different, it unquestionably helps it blend its material much better, making it look like a very even team effort. It is true that Confessions of a Driving Instructor has the most material with the best innuendo, too, but this is not the key factor that makes it the most enjoyable of the four Confessions films.

The catalyst of everything that works well in Confessions of a Driving Instructor is the chemistry between Timmy, Sid, and the ladies. (This wonderful energy is crucial in Confessions From a Holiday Camp as well. However, in it the ladies routinely help Timmy look better and funnier, which is why in some parts of it where he is expected to shine alone the quality drops a bit. A cheeky holiday is quite the distraction, too). It makes the silly look funny and the slightly crude look witty, and this is the big trick that all good British sexy comedies did well.

The one undeniable weakness of Confessions of a Driving Instructor, which is also shared by the other Confessions films, is its reluctance to visit many interesting locations that could have transformed it into a fine time capsule. Timmy’s driving lessons could have been the perfect excuse to visit such locations, too. This is not to imply that Confessions of a Driving Instructor does not look or sound like a proper British comedy from the 1970s, it absolutely does. However, it does not have the type of visual material that can intrigue an outsider or a younger viewer.

Ken Hodges lensed Confessions of a Driving Instruction and shortly after Confessions From a Holiday Camp. The former is a more diverse, better looking film, leaving the impression that it was made with a bigger budget too.

*Confessions of a Driving Instructor has been seen in different versions. The one included on this release is the original “fully unclothed” British version, which is approximately ninety minutes long.

Confessions of a Driving Instructor Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Confessions of a Driving Instructor arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

If you have seen our review of the other Confessions films, you already know how Confessions of a Driving Instructor looks because all four films were remastered by Sony at the same time. Delineation, clarity, and depth are typically very pleasing. Yes, grain exposure could be a bit more convincing, but there are no traces of digital tinkering, so the entire film has a fine organic appearance. Color balance is convincing, too. Saturation levels and a few ranges of supporting nuances could be improved a bit, and if they are the color temperature will be even better, but everything already looks fine. Is there room for other improvements? Yes. In a few spots, select highlights, like the ones seen here, can be managed better, but these are minor tweaks that will not make a dramatic difference. Also, I noticed a few nicks that modern digital tools will easily pick up. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Confessions of a Driving Instructor Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

Sony's masters always have great audio tracks, and the one that was used to produce this release does too. All exchanges are very clear, sharp, and easy to follow. The music sounds nice as well, but it does not take long to conclude that the soundtrack is typical for a 1970s comedy. What I mean is that it never reveals an ambition to impress. There are no encoding anomalies to report.

Confessions of a Driving Instructor Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - Robin Askwith follows the same format that he used for the other three exclusive new commentaries included in the Confessions box set. So, expect to hear plenty of recollections about the production of Confessions of a Driving Instructor, the shooting of different lovemaking sequences, the film's reception, etc. Of course, there are plenty of jokes to go along with the meaningful information as well.

• Rocky Taylor: Cunning Stunts - in this new program, stuntman/stunt coordinator Rocky Taylor (The Professionals) explains how he entered the film business, and discusses his involvement with the James Bond films, his most dangerous stunt in Death Wish 3, and contributions to the Confessions films. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• The BEHP Interview with Geoffrey Foot - in this archival audio interview, editor Geoffrey Foot discusses his life and career. The interview was conducted by Sidney Cole and Alan Lawson on January 6, 1988. In English, not subtitled. (74 min).

• Super 8 Version - presented in two reels. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (34 min).

• Image Gallery - presented here is a collection of original promotional materials for Confessions From of a Driving Instructor.

• Trailer - presented here is a remastered original trailer for Confessions of a Driving Instructor. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Book - a limited edition exclusive 120-page book with a new essay by Simon Sheridan, archival articles on producer Greg Smith, executive producer Michael Klinger, screenwriter and novelist Christopher Wood, director Norman Cohen, and actors Robin Askwith, Sheila White and Linda Hayden, archival production reports on Confessions of a Driving Instructor and Rosie Dixon – Night Nurse, and film credits.

Confessions of a Driving Instructor Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Only Confessions of a Driving Instructor is easy to compare to some of the wonderful cheeky comedies Leslie Phillips made, which is a bit unusual because it is the only film in the Confessions series where Robin Askwith always looks like a good team member, not a star expected to lead. I think that the innuendo, gags, and energy in Confessions of a Driving Instructor are lovely, so I have always considered the best of the four films. It is included in this four-disc box set from Indicator/Powerhouse Films. If you decide to pick it up for your library, please keep in mind that it is Region-B "locked". HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.