Bless Me, Father - Complete Series (DVD, 2005, 3-Disc Set)

This is a very funny series, done in very good taste. It will appeal to any but the most closed-minded fundamentalist Catholic, of which there are, unfortunately, some. It's set in a London suburb in the 1950's at Saint Jude's parish. St. Jude is the patron saint of hopeless causes. An older Irish priest, Father Duddleswell, and his new, young, and angelic-looking curate priest, Father Boyd, are involved in a variety of episodes that raise issues and questions within the Catholic Church. Other regulars are the rectory housekeeper, the Irish doctor who always has a cigarette hanging between his lips and who can't do any work for the priest without a glass or two of whiskey. There's Mother Superior, with whom Father Duddleswell carries on a never-ending battle. And the local unreligious bookie, who figures prominently as a means for Father Duddleswell to balance his books and keep the Bishop happy.
As an example of the type of humor with a lesson or sermon at the end, one episode is entitled "Fire and Brimstone," with a discussion of hell figuring throughout. At the end, after Father Duddleswell buries a "card-carrying communist" and atheist in the Catholic cemetery, Mother Superior says to Father Boyd that, "It is vital that Catholics believe in the fires of hell." Father Duddleswell adds, "And only a stark raving lunatic would ever believe there's anybody there." That shows the slant of the series. A very human Catholicism.
Twenty-one episodes. Some VHS collections only have nine.

If you grew up Catholic you'll relate to the less than saintly schemes perpetrated by the good Father Duddleswell. Despite the goings on, there's an innocent charm to the series that makes it an enjoyable viewing experience. I for one, laughed like...ummm...well, hell at many of the episodes. Arthur Lowe is terrific as the good father and the rest of the cast is equally fine.

I was introduced to this series through a dear Sister I knew, and I never thought it would be half as funny as it was. The stern and imposing Mother Superior, the crafty and kind-hearted Fr. Duddlesworth, and the young and sensible curate, Fr. Neil, along with several other regular characters, make this series a light-hearted poke at a good many of the aspects of life Pre-Vatican II. Unlike others though, this one does it in a way which is not a jab at Catholic belief. It does look at harder aspects of religious life, such as what one does when one has a choice to make between feelings and vows, but in a light hearted and thought provoking manner. However, what makes the series shine is that some episodes have just hilarious sequences, such as the results of accidently taking a microphone into a confessional, or what happens when an elderly priest becomes a little senile, or even what happens when a person can't be identified in death as a Catholic or a Protestant. It's the funniest series I have ever seen, and I love watching it.

I bought the "Bless Me, Father" complete collection on DVD after viewing several shows with a friend. We lived in Ireland for 2 years and loved the Prior of the church in these videos. Great fun. Great craique as the Irish say. Excellent addition to our BBC video collection.

I grew up Catholic in New England in the fifties and totally know where this sitcom is coming from Very funny.