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The Pope Must Die

  • 1991
  • R
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
5.1/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
The Pope Must Die (1991)
Home Video Trailer from Miramax
Play trailer2:01
1 Video
8 Photos
Comedy

A less-than-qualified and far-from-perfect priest is mistakenly named the new pope. As the pontiff, he must deal with Vatican corruption, the Mob and the reappearance of his old lover.A less-than-qualified and far-from-perfect priest is mistakenly named the new pope. As the pontiff, he must deal with Vatican corruption, the Mob and the reappearance of his old lover.A less-than-qualified and far-from-perfect priest is mistakenly named the new pope. As the pontiff, he must deal with Vatican corruption, the Mob and the reappearance of his old lover.

  • Director
    • Peter Richardson
  • Writers
    • Peter Richardson
    • Pete Richens
  • Stars
    • Robbie Coltrane
    • Adrian Edmondson
    • Paul Bartel
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.1/10
    1.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Richardson
    • Writers
      • Peter Richardson
      • Pete Richens
    • Stars
      • Robbie Coltrane
      • Adrian Edmondson
      • Paul Bartel
    • 16User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Videos1

    The Pope Must Diet
    Trailer 2:01
    Watch The Pope Must Diet

    Photos8

    The Pope Must Die (1991)
    Robbie Coltrane in The Pope Must Die (1991)
    Robbie Coltrane, Peter Richardson, and Alex Rocco in The Pope Must Die (1991)
    Robbie Coltrane in The Pope Must Die (1991)
    Robbie Coltrane in The Pope Must Die (1991)
    Robbie Coltrane and Adrian Edmondson in The Pope Must Die (1991)
    Robbie Coltrane in The Pope Must Die (1991)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robbie Coltrane
    Robbie Coltrane
    • The Pope
    Adrian Edmondson
    Adrian Edmondson
    • Father Rookie
    Paul Bartel
    Paul Bartel
    • Monsignor Fitchie
    Damir Mejovsek
    • Drunk Cardinal
    Bozidar Smiljanic
    • Cardinal Spott
    Salvatore Cascio
    Salvatore Cascio
    • Paulo
    Alex Rocco
    Alex Rocco
    • Cardinal Rocco
    Annette Crosbie
    Annette Crosbie
    • Mother Superior
    Marc Smith
    Marc Smith
    • US News Reporter
    Peter Richardson
    • Bish
    Ranko Zidaric
    • Father Santini
    Dani Segina
    • Old Cardinal
    William Hootkins
    William Hootkins
    • Cardinal Verucci
    Niall Buggy
    Niall Buggy
    • BBC Reporter
    Robert Stephens
    Robert Stephens
    • The Camarlengo
    Herbert Lom
    Herbert Lom
    • Vittorio Corelli
    Janez Vajevec
    • Father Albini
    • (as Janez Vajavec)
    Relja Basic
    Relja Basic
    • Alberto
    • Director
      • Peter Richardson
    • Writers
      • Peter Richardson
      • Pete Richens
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film's US title was changed after an outcry from Roman Catholics. The new title, "The Pope Must Diet", appeared on some promotional materials with the final letter in the form of a crucifix.
    • Goofs
      The Conclave of Cardinals by which a new Pope is elected for centuries has been held in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. In this film, the location in which the Conclave was filmed was apparently a church, with columns, arches , statues and other architectural features with no resemblance to the Sistine Chapel, one of the most recognisable 'rooms' in the world.
    • Quotes

      Vittorio Corelli: NO MORE MR. NICE POPE!

    • Crazy credits
      Filmed in the UK and mainly in Europe, not far from the Vatican City.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Dead Again/True Identity/Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man/Defenseless/The Pope Must Die (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Hungry Man
      Performed by Mike Sanchez with the Big Town Playboys

    User reviews16

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Not putrid or atrocious
    I don't normally like Peter Richardson's Comic Strip films, so why I watched this I don't know. However, it was much better than I expected, and, despite a few expletives, I thought it quite subtle in places. It's not very original in plot (which takes in rather too much), but the cast is quite good (Coltrane, Lom, Rocco), and the only people who might object are those who think it's anti-religious, which I feel it turns out not to be. I'm not a crackpot or a religious fanatic, although I don't think the film would appeal to the latter group !
    helpful•8
    3
    • falconer99
    • Mar 24, 2002

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    FAQ16

    • How long is The Pope Must Diet?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 21, 1991 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Pope Must Diet
    • Filming locations
      • Zagreb, Croatia
    • Production companies
      • Palace
      • British Screen Presentation
      • Film Four International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £8,746,989 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $582,510
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $264,147
      • Sep 2, 1991
    • Gross worldwide
      • $582,510
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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