''The Passionate Pilgrim'' is a 1984 short feature film starring Eric Morecambe, Tom Baker and Madeline Smith notable for being Morecambe's last work, and one of few not to feature his long-term partner Ernie Wise. The film takes the setting of a silent film with narration provided by John Le Mesurier of '' Dad's Army'' fame, this too was some of his last work prior to his death in 1983. The film centres on a Lord who lives in a castle (the film was made entirely on location at Hever Castle) and his

Lady The word ''lady'' is a term for a girl or woman, with various connotations. Once used to describe only women of a high social class or status, the equivalent of lord, now it may refer to any adult woman, as gentleman can be used for men. Inform ...

, the latter of whom attracts the amorous attentions of the titular character. The plot centres on the pilgrim's failed attempts to gain entry to the

castle A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars debate the scope of the word ''castle'', but usually consider it to be the private fortified r ...

by any means possible, and the lengths the lord will go to in order to stop him. In one memorable scene once the assailant has gained entry the lord brandishes an

aerosol can Aerosol spray is a type of dispensing system which creates an aerosol mist of liquid particles. It comprises a can or bottle that contains a payload, and a propellant under pressure. When the container's valve is opened, the payload is forced out ...

labelled "Knight-Rid" to stop the pilgrim in his tracks Further filming at Hever was planned for May 1984 as filmmaker Charles Wallace intended to expand the film using Beryl Reid to play Eric's mother, and another damsel in the cast. Morecambe's death ensured that further scenes were not made, but the film was released in its original shorter form. The film was released with the James Bond movie '' Octopussy'' and '' WarGames'' (see production company website movingimageco.com). It was later shown on numerous cable TV channels and was released in 1994 on VHS at a time of resurgence in interest in the work of Morecambe and Wise, the BBC having screened a three (late expanded to five) part tribute to mark the tenth anniversary of his death. It has subsequently also been released on DVD and is widely available.

References

External links

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Eric and Ern – Keeping The Magic Alive **Book, Film, TV Reviews, Interviews**
1984 films 1984 comedy films British comedy films 1980s English-language films 1980s British films {{short-comedy-film-stub