Review of The Missionary (1982) by Stuart K — 17 Jun 2008
A quite charming British comedy from Handmade Films. Michael Palin wrote the film, and stars in it as the Reverend Charles Fortescue, who after 10 years in Africa, returns home to 1906 England, where he is asked by the Bishop of London, (Denholm Elliot), to start up a Mission for London's Fallen Women, (AKA Prostitutes).
Fortescue finds a backer for the Mission in the form of Lady Isabel Ames (Maggie Smith), wife of old curmudgeon Lord Ames (Trevor Howard). Lady Ames agrees to finance it if Fortescue sleeps with her, but he's already engaged to Deborah Fitzbanks (Phoebe Nicholls).
It's very close in tone to Palin's own Ripping Yarns, and one might argue it could have worked better as one, but on the whole it works, it's beautifully shot, and it does have some very funny moments in it, director Richard Loncraine keeps the tone up throughout the film, and it does have a very good supporting cast, including Timothy Spall, David Suchet, Neil Innes and a scene-stealing Michael Hordern as the Ames' forgetful old butler Slatterthwaite.
:P.
This review of The Missionary (1982) was written by Stuart K on 17 Jun 2008.
The Missionary has generally received mixed reviews.
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