Product Details

• Actors: Arthur Lowe, Daniel Abineri, Gabrielle Daye, Patrick McAlinney, David Ryall
• Format: Box set, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 3
• Studio: Acorn Media
• VHS Release Date: August 11, 1999
• Run Time: 225 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1569382905
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #257,673 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A day in the life of a pair of priests in a small suburban London community is the premise for Bless Me Father. Starring Arthur Lowe as Roman Catholic Father Duddleswell and Daniel Abineri as his young curate, the series is adapted from Peter de Rosa's novels. Among the fine episodes included in this boxed set are "The Parish Bazaar," on volume 1, in which Duddleswell is convinced God will provide good weather for the annual fundraiser; "The Seal of Confession," on volume 2, in which Duddleswell learns that confessions are being overheard; and "The Tennis Match," on volume 3, in which a Catholic becomes Mayor and Duddleswell seeks his favor. Set in the early 1950s, this sitcom occasionally feels dated. If you're looking for a more modern British comedy with a similar theme, you may prefer The Vicar of Dibley, starring comedian Dawn French, or Ireland's Ballykissangel, starring Stephen Tompkinson and Dervla Kirwan, might appeal, too. If you want to abandon religion altogether, Absolutely Fabulous, costarring Brits Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, is wildly outrageous. --Cristina Del Sesto

Product Description

Based on Peter de Rosa's uproarious novels about a small suburban London parish in the 1950s, this much-loved 70's classic has been hailed as one of the hidden gems in Britain's sitcom archives. A handsome young priest learns the business from a crusty veteran who's all to human in his encounters with parishioners. Arthur Lowe as Father Duddleswell is the parish priest of every Catholic's most nostalgic memories, fundamentally humane and caring--and a bit mischievous.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest humour from a loving heart., October 30, 1999

By 

Chris Pearson ([e-mail]) (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bless Me Father, Vol. 1-3, Box Set [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Set in a London suburb, an Irish Roman Catholic priest gains a thoroghly Engilsh, fresh faced curate he's not sure he wants. This series tells the tales of the life in the parish of St Jude's (the patron of hopless cases) of Fr Duddleswell, the pp, Fr Neil, the curate and Mrs Pring the housekeeper. A series of antics reveals a parish priest who is a cunning and wylie, but with a thourougly pastoral heart. Anyone accociated with the Catholic Church will love it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny and warm!, February 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bless Me Father, Vol. 1-3, Box Set [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Bless Me Father shows a lighter side to the religious situations two priests face in their small community. If you like British comedy, this one will keep you laughing.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars British Comedy of Cleric at its Best, February 20, 2002

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bless Me Father, Vol. 1-3, Box Set [VHS] (VHS Tape)

When living in B.C., Canada, I discovered the joys of British TV comedy, and this was one of my favorites.

Fr. Duddleswell is such a perfect character, well playing up to his straight curate, Fr. Boyd. In between is the housemaid, Mrs. Pring and a cast of characters to boot.

Episodes to see from this set include a hilarious episode of Fr. D battling neighboring Billy Buzzle over noise. It's a stitch, including a cameo appearance by "Pontius" Billy's black lab who is seated with the Bishop. The Doomsday Chair as well as the Baptism with Fire episodes testify to the good natured fun which the British are now famous for. We in the states should take our cue for what is really good in humor from this sophisticated great laughter producing stuff which doesn't have to resort to the gutter nor violent to keep one's attention.