Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins, The (1971)

A forgotten British anthology film directed by Graham Stark including seven segments written by notable sitcom writers and comedians, with a host of familiar faces.

‘Avarice’ has Bruce Forsyth as Clayton (pictured above), a chauffeur to a rich man who is required to retrieve a 50p coin that has fallen down a manhole cover.

Cue some slightly tiresome shenanigans. You do get Carry On stars Bernard Bresslaw and Joan Sims in this segment though.

‘Envy’ has Harry Secombe and Carmel Cryan as Stanley and Vera, football pools winners who find the perfect house. The problem? The owners (played by Geoffrey Bayldon and June Whitfield) have no interest in selling.

So Stanley sets to work scheming to make the house their own. Envy is also a little tiresome and not terribly funny.

‘Gluttony’ is better, with Leslie Phillips as Dickie who works for a health food company but craves junk food, which he devours in secret whenever he can. It’s a strange premise but quite compelling in a weird way. Look out for Hammer babe Julie Ege in this story.

‘Lust’ has Harry H Corbett as Ambrose – a man looking for love who ends up in the Tube trying to chat up a bird, who is in the adjoining telephone box.

He pretends they have a crossed line and that he’s an old friend.

Corbett really lifts the material with his performance although the ending is terribly sad and emotionally brutal.

‘Pride’ has Ian Carmichael and Alfie Bass as two stubborn drivers who both refuse to back up when they come to a halt facing each other on a narrow country lane. This is no great shakes and seems to be trying to be a throwback to gentle Ealing style capers of yesteryear.

‘Sloth’ is a silent segment with Spike Milligan all about not being active. It’s watchable but would have outstayed its welcome with a longer running time. Look out for Ronnie Barker, Marty Feldman, Peter Butterworth and Hammer star Madeline Smith.

Finally, ‘Wrath’ has Ronald Fraser and Arthur Howard trying to blow up a park keeper played by Stephen Lewis from On the Buses. This one has an enjoyably dark coda.

Avarice

Clayton
Bruce Forsyth
Elsinore 
Paul Whitsun-Jones
Mr Violet
Bernard Bresslaw
Policewoman
Joan Sims
Fisherman 
Roy Hudd
Petrol Station Attendant
Julie Samuel
Vanessa 
Cheryl Hall
Chloe 
Suzanne Heath

Envy

Stanley
Harry Secombe
Vera
Carmel Cryan
Vernon
Geoffrey Bayldon
Mildred 
June Whitfield

Gluttony

Dickie 
Leslie Phillips
Ingrid
Julie Ege
Doctor 
Patrick Newell
Woman 
Rosemarie Reed
Secretary 
Sarah Golding
Photographer 
Bob Guccione
Penthouse Pet
Tina McDowall

Lust

Ambrose
Harry H. Corbett
Greta
Cheryl Kennedy
Cockney Man
Bill Pertwee
Charlady 
Mary Baxter
Blonde
Anouska Hempel
Boy Friend
Kenneth Earle
Thin Girl
Nicole Yerna
Girl with Glasses
Sue Bond
Receptionist
Yvonne Paul
Dolly Bird Typist
Dawn Beret

Pride

Mr Ferris
Ian Carmichael
Mr Spencer
Alfie Bass
Mrs Ferris
Audrey Nicholson
Mrs Spencer
Sheila Bernette
AA Man
Robert Gillespie
RAC Man
Keith Smith
Policeman 
Ivor Dean

Sloth

Tramp 
Spike Milligan
Porter
Melvyn Hayes
Costermonger 
Ronnie Brody
George
Ronald Fraser
Jarvis 
Stephen Lewis
Kenneth 
Arthur Howard
Nude Girl
Felicity Devonshire

Video