The Pope Must Die (1991)

The Pope Must Die Poster

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.

Film Overview
"The Pope Must Die" is a 1991 British funny film directed by Peter Richardson. Likewise known as "The Pope Must Diet" in the United States and other nations, it stars comedian Robbie Coltrane as a humble priest, Fr. Albinizi, who unsuspectingly ends up being the Pope. Other crucial characters include Adrian Edmondson as a ruthless archbishop and Alex Rocco as a Mafia put on dealing with Vatican financial resources.

Plot Summary
The plot of "The Pope Must Die" is driven by a mix-up in the Vatican. Fr. Albinizi, from a small Italian orphanage, is mistakenly chosen Pope after the Real Pope dies. This occurs since Albinizi's name is confusingly comparable to that of an effective Cardinal, which leads to an administrative error.

As Pope, Albinizi is a capitivating, down-to-earth character, who attempts to live his role with sincerity and simpleness, much to the chagrin of the corrupt Vatican hierarchy. He is liked by the public and the media, which contrasts with the austere picture of the Papal workplace.

Mafia Involvement
In the meantime, a Mafia manager, Vittorio Corelli, who has actually been laundering his ill-gotten wealth through the Vatican, is fretted about Albinizi's determination to clean up the church. This puts the simple Pope in excellent threat as Corelli, together with the greedy and power-hungry Archbishop, plot to murder him.

Unfolding Conflict
The dispute intensifies as Pope Albinizi continues to trigger ripples within the Church by following his innocent and sincere method. Simultaneously, Corelli's issue grows as he sees his monetary adjustment at threat, making him more excited to perform his grim strategy.

Climax & Resolution
In the climax, the deeply-rooted corruption within the Vatican is exposed. Pope Albinizi endures several assassination efforts, which end up causing the deaths of his prospective killers rather. In the end, the real Cardinal meant to be the Pope is revealed however picks not to take the position, enabling Albinizi to continue his function. He stays an enjoyed figure, and the film ends with him producing a renaissance of sincerity and humility in the Vatican, disrupting the status quo.

Critique and Reception
"The Pope Must Die" is a profane black comedy that spoofs the Catholic Church and the Mafia with audacity. While it delighted in moderate success in the UK, the film did not prosper in the U.S., mostly due to its questionable nature and irreverence towards the Catholic Church. Some audiences and critics saw the movie as a brave and biting satire, while others felt it was an offensive and juvenile venture. Robbie Coltrane's performance as the accidental Pope was praised for his genuine portrayal of a man thrown into an impossible position.

In conclusion, "The Pope Must Die" is a movie that attempts to check out corrupt world systems through humor and satire. It combines a measurement of the mob with a top-level spiritual institution's hypocrisy to create a story that is intended, above all, to amuse and provoke idea.

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