The Confessions Of Robin Askwith

by Robin Askwith, Ian Botham (Foreword)

Of all the actors and personalities thrown up by that strangest of periods. The 1970s, surely Robin Askwith was one of the most 'of his time'? As star of the infamous CONFESSIONS films, as well as over 25 other movies, Askwith was huge. His cheeky, innocent face, his Mick Jagger lips and more often than not his bare arse -- he, possibly more than anyone else sums up a bygone era remembered fondly by millions. Today, Askwith is a cult figure. The CONFESSIONS films are still regular staples on British TV and around the world, especially in the Commonwealth countries. They are just as funny as they ever were -- classic camp British humour in the same language as the Carry On films. In this brilliant autobiography, the self-deprecating Askwith cuts straight to the chase, starting in the `70s as he auditions for CONFESSIONS OF A WINDOW CLEANER, moving on to CONFESSIONS OF A POP STAR and DRIVING INSTRUCTOR. His career was truly amazing and varied beyond belief. From IF. . . to NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDEF From CONFESSIONS to Zefferelli`s BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON and Pasolini CANTERBURY TALES. He was also great friends with the late Lindsay Anderson. In the end, Robin is most famous for his sex comedies and isn't embarrassed about it one jot. It`s a rollicking ride. Hold On Tight!

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1999

Reviews

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lighthearted read from Robin Askwith, best known as the cheeky star of British horror of the 1970s as well as the CONFESSIONS OF A WINDOW CLEANER franchise. This is a light read, packed to the brim with anecdotes from Robin's various misadventures on and off set. Sex plays a big part in both worlds, with endless conquests and romance (Linda Hayden figures heavily) alongside outrageous behaviour and all of the drug taking and excess you expect from the 1970s. Askwith's friends and contemporaries include Robert Powell and many other famous names of the era, so the stories are always fresh and funny. At times these anecdotes feel more like jokes building to a punchline so I'm not sure how truthful it all is, but at least it's entertaining.

[Aussiescribbler Aussiescribbler · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this brief and breezy autobiography Robin Askwith shows that he is just as mischievous and almost as prone to find himself at the centre of misadventures sexual and otherwise as his alter-ego Timothy Lea. From risking his life bringing bedroom farce to the stages of a war-torn African nation to sharing drugs with the down-and-out actors who would be mythologised as Withnail and I, he has some great stories to tell.

The first part of the book covers his experiences making the four Confessions films for which he is best known. Then he covers the stage shows which were spin-offs of the films and brings things up to the filming of Lindsay Anderson's Britiannia Hospital (1982).

Then he jumps back to his childhood to relate his experiences struggling with the effects of polio, and progressing on through his early acting experiences.

This works out well as it puts some of the more amusing incidents, including pissing for Pasolini, in the climatic part of the book.

[Phil Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A jolly rump through the 70s if like me you are a fan you will like this book,it’s saucy and fun with just the right amount of info without too much name dropping.

[Thomas Amo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real guilty pleasure and not for the reasons one might think. Robin Askwith is first and always will be an actor. He's a bit of an icon in England.
However he's a genuinely funny guy. He and I share in common both having appeared in the runaway British farce, "Run For You Wife!" by Ray Cooney. No we didn't appear in the same show together.

Anyway, the book is a real delight to read, it's a memoir and he tells it as only he could. What I love most about the book is, it feels like a personal chat with the lad himself. His life outside the "Confessions" film series is amazing. He is well known in the London Theatre and occasionally pops into a film here and there.

The book is broken down into chapters that reflect each of the Confessions films, with some backstory on his personal life growing up. The story behind making these films is more entertaining than the films themselves. Who would have though that Anthony Booth, who played his brother in law in this naughty sex comedies would have become father in law to British Prime Minister Tony Blair!

Outside of telling wonderful stories about life on and behind the set of the Confessions series, I would really like to see Robin Askwith write more. He has a great way of telling a story. So let's hope we more books from England's naughty boy Robin Askwith.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robin’s saucy roles are well documented in this very easy read as are the many other better roles he played where he kept his clothes on. He is the epitome of the ‘Cheeky Chappie’ but he was also a grafter going from project to project with barely a rest in-between. With a colourful personal life to match his film persona, this isn’t the most erudite or in-depth of reads, but it’s honest and does cover that curious time in British film industry where film like the ‘Confessions’ and ‘On the Buses’ were the top grossing film in the UK. It was oh so different back then... in many ways.

[MR D J WEBB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very comical and amusing.

Very funny at times I expected more confessions stories but other stories from the book more than make up for that.