It is little surprising that a movie with such a controversial title has attracted so much criticism over the years. Peter Richardson and Pete Richens' 1991 film is a comedy drama which stars Robbie Coltrane as Dave Albinizi, a well meaning but unorthodox Catholic priest who seems to spend more time doing mechanical work than doing his sermons. It was originally intended to start life in the late '80's as an edition of 'The Comic Strip Presents' entitled 'Five Go To Hell' but the project was shelved following the poor box office performance of Richardson's 1987 film 'Eat The Rich'. Instead, Richardson and Richens conjured a film out of the project.
Though building up a following at the time, 'The Pope Must Die' seems to have vanished into obscurity. With the P.C brigade cracking down on everything, it seems highly unlikely that we will ever see a DVD release or even a satellite repeat of this film in the near future. A pity as 'The Pope Must Die' is a superb little work of art, with wonderful one liners sprinkled more than generously throughout as well as a generous helping of dramatic moments.
Following the death of Pope Pius, The Vatican are on the lookout for a new pontiff. Cardinal Rocco, who is in cahoots with Mafia boss Vitorio Corelli, suggests that silver-haired Father Albini ( who Corelli wants to use to embezzle money from the Vatican bank ) should be the new pope. However the deaf secretary of the College of Cardinals Fr. Rookie mishears the name and writes down in the official election results book that Albinizi ( who has been fired from his position at an Italian orphanage ) is to be the new holy father.
One day, out of the blue, an attractive young woman appears in the papal apartment, disguised as a nun. This is Veronica Don Dante, Dave's ex-lover whose rock star son Joe Don Dante ( who turns out to be Dave's illegitimate son ) is in a relationship with Corelli's daughter Luccia. Angered at the thought of his daughter in the hands of a rock star, Corelli hires a pair of bumbling thugs to kill Joe, which they do. Unfortunately, they end up killing Luccia as well.
Robbie Coltrane's performance as Albinizi is wonderful to say the least. Coltrane was no stranger to poking fun at religion - he played Orangeman Mason Boyne in the BBC Scotland sketch show 'Laugh??? I Nearly Paid My Licence Fee' and the year before this film played bank robber Charlie McManus who, along with his partner-in-crime Brian Hope ( played by Eric Idle ), disguised himself as a nun to avoid imprisonment in 'Nuns On The Run'. Also of good value is beautiful Berverly D'Angelo. This fine actress is a natural when it comes to comedy ( watch her in 'High Spirits' and 'Every Which Way But Loose' for proof of that ). John Sessions ( who also starred in 'Laugh??? I Nearly Paid My Licence Fee' with Coltrane ) and Steven O'Donnell were hilarious as Corelli's thugs who in terms of incompetence could give Harry and Marv from 'Home Alone' a run for their money. As Corelli, the late Herbert Lom sent shivers down the spine with his cold eyes and gruff voice. Impressive in their supporting roles also were Alex Rocco, Paul Bartel, Ade Edmondson, Salvatore Cascio, Janez Vajevec, Balthazar Getty and also the film's co-creator Peter Richardson. Appearing in lesser roles were Annette Crosbie, Ernest Clark, Niall Buggy and William Hootkins.
The film was a hit all over the world, especially in America ( where it was titled 'The Pope Must Diet' ) and Yugoslavia ( where it was titled 'Sleeping With The Fishes' ). The film is also notable for Coltrane's hilarious rendition of Pat Boone's 'Speedy Gonzales', which was later released on LP along with the movie's theme music. If by some miracle you can get your hands on this film, I would highly recommend it. Never mind what those P.C bores say, just get stuck in and watch it!
Though building up a following at the time, 'The Pope Must Die' seems to have vanished into obscurity. With the P.C brigade cracking down on everything, it seems highly unlikely that we will ever see a DVD release or even a satellite repeat of this film in the near future. A pity as 'The Pope Must Die' is a superb little work of art, with wonderful one liners sprinkled more than generously throughout as well as a generous helping of dramatic moments.
Following the death of Pope Pius, The Vatican are on the lookout for a new pontiff. Cardinal Rocco, who is in cahoots with Mafia boss Vitorio Corelli, suggests that silver-haired Father Albini ( who Corelli wants to use to embezzle money from the Vatican bank ) should be the new pope. However the deaf secretary of the College of Cardinals Fr. Rookie mishears the name and writes down in the official election results book that Albinizi ( who has been fired from his position at an Italian orphanage ) is to be the new holy father.
One day, out of the blue, an attractive young woman appears in the papal apartment, disguised as a nun. This is Veronica Don Dante, Dave's ex-lover whose rock star son Joe Don Dante ( who turns out to be Dave's illegitimate son ) is in a relationship with Corelli's daughter Luccia. Angered at the thought of his daughter in the hands of a rock star, Corelli hires a pair of bumbling thugs to kill Joe, which they do. Unfortunately, they end up killing Luccia as well.
Robbie Coltrane's performance as Albinizi is wonderful to say the least. Coltrane was no stranger to poking fun at religion - he played Orangeman Mason Boyne in the BBC Scotland sketch show 'Laugh??? I Nearly Paid My Licence Fee' and the year before this film played bank robber Charlie McManus who, along with his partner-in-crime Brian Hope ( played by Eric Idle ), disguised himself as a nun to avoid imprisonment in 'Nuns On The Run'. Also of good value is beautiful Berverly D'Angelo. This fine actress is a natural when it comes to comedy ( watch her in 'High Spirits' and 'Every Which Way But Loose' for proof of that ). John Sessions ( who also starred in 'Laugh??? I Nearly Paid My Licence Fee' with Coltrane ) and Steven O'Donnell were hilarious as Corelli's thugs who in terms of incompetence could give Harry and Marv from 'Home Alone' a run for their money. As Corelli, the late Herbert Lom sent shivers down the spine with his cold eyes and gruff voice. Impressive in their supporting roles also were Alex Rocco, Paul Bartel, Ade Edmondson, Salvatore Cascio, Janez Vajevec, Balthazar Getty and also the film's co-creator Peter Richardson. Appearing in lesser roles were Annette Crosbie, Ernest Clark, Niall Buggy and William Hootkins.
The film was a hit all over the world, especially in America ( where it was titled 'The Pope Must Diet' ) and Yugoslavia ( where it was titled 'Sleeping With The Fishes' ). The film is also notable for Coltrane's hilarious rendition of Pat Boone's 'Speedy Gonzales', which was later released on LP along with the movie's theme music. If by some miracle you can get your hands on this film, I would highly recommend it. Never mind what those P.C bores say, just get stuck in and watch it!