Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins, The (Tigon 1971, Spike Milligan, Bruce Forsyth)

The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins was a portmanteau of 7 comedy shorts featuring the cream of British comedy talent, with each tale examining one of the seven deadly sins linked by some great early animation from the legendary Bob (Rhubarb and Custard) Godfrey.

A great idea for a comedy movie, The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins at times seems like a Carry On movie whilst at others reaches the surreal heights of Monty Python genius. Some high quality writers are on board including Steptoe and Son creators Ray Galton and Alan Simpson who reworked one of their Comedy Playhouse entries here featuring Ian Carmichael and the lovely Alfie Bass as two motorists who refuse to give way on a narrow country lane.

Stand outs are the two stories written by Monty Python’s Graham Chapman and Barry Cryer – Gluttony which features Leslie Phillips and the sexy Julie Ege starts with a visit to a Penthouse Photoshoot featuring an appearance from the legendary Bob Guccione and Penthouse Pet Tina McDowell before shifting to a tale of an executive working for a slimming company who is so desperate for food that he spurns the attentions of his sexy boss, whilst Wrath sees park keeper Stephen Lewis (in his best Blakey from On The Buses mode) doing battle with a disgruntled park visitor played by Ronald Fraser.

Spike Milligan’s effort Sloth is a faux silent movie which seems to bear no relation to anything involving a deadly sin, it does have the benefit of featuring the lovely Madeline Smith and the genius that is Ronnie Barker. Very entertaining and with it’s roll call of great British character actors there is as much fun to be had in playing “say isn’t that…” as there is in watching the movie.

Full of great 70’s fashions, check out the hot pants on the girl at the service station and some typically un pc dialogue and footage.

The 7 stories are
Avarice: Writers John Esmonde and Bob Larbey with Bruce Forsyth<br>
Envy written by Dave Freeman starring Harry Secombe<br>
Gluttony by Graham Chapman and Barry Cryer with Leslie Phillips and Julie Ege<br>
Lust by Graham Stark, story Marty Feldman starring Harry H Corbett<br>
Pride by Galton and Simpson with Ian Carmichael and Alfie Bass<br>
Sloth by Spike Milligan with Spike Milligan<br>
Wrath by Barry Cryer and Graham Chapman with Ronald Fraser and Stephen Lewis

production details
Country:  UK | Tigon | 107 minutes
Release Year: 1971

Music: Roy Budd / Cinematography: Harvey Harrison Jr / Producer and Director: Graham Stark