The Missionary (1982)
In 1905, after 10 years of missionary work in Africa, the Rev. Charles Fortesque is recalled to England, where his bishop gives him his new assignment - to minister to London's prostitutes.
Watch Trailer
Cast
Reviews
Don't listen to the negative reviews
A Disappointing Continuation
I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.
It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,
Michael Palin was always 'the Quiet One' of the Monty Python gang, but he was one of the most talented actors in the group (second only to Cleese and maybe Chapman) and a key writer of some of their most memorable skits. In this, his one and only true vanity project - the only film in which Palin was the sole writer as well as the star - he didn't quite make the grade. Palin is a wonderful actor, but not quite as good at being at the center of attention as Cleese, Chapman or even Idle in his own over-the-top way; his character in The Missionary feels bland and uncharismatic, a muffled echo of his Sir Galahad from Monty Python and the Holy Grail (though it may be the inspiration for his much funnier chaplain character in The Meaning of Life).The Missionary isn't a bad film; it simply reeks of mediocrity and indecision, which leads to a sad feeling that it could have been much better. The writing is solid all the way through, but it's never quite clear if it was intended as a goofball comedy or a tongue-in-cheek social satire. As it is there's a little of both, but neither one goes all the way. The same goes for the characters played by Palin himself and by Maggie Smith, who are are denied strong, comical characteristics, but don't have any real subtlety or depth of character either. It's the more outrageous, cartoonish characters that are memorable - played by fine actors like Michael Hordern, Trevor Howard, Denholm Elliott, Phoebe Nicholls and a young but unmistakable Timothy Spall. Any scene with these characters works well, and that's when Palin's talent as a comedy writer and the famous Pythonesque timing pay off. Unfortunately these are sidenotes in the mess that is the overall film, which is dominated by the wasted talents of Palin and Smith.
THE MISSIONARY Director Richard Loncraine Cast Inc Michael Palin Maggie Smith Trevor Howard We are filming down at Hoxton Market and our base is a pub I used to sing in twenty years before. It's only two minutes from my old swimming pool. (The canal). The 1st A.D. told me he was giving me a line to say to Mr Palin but it wouldn't be 'til late afternoon and would I like to relax at the base. (Is he kidding me) I have a walk up and down the market to see if any of the old faces are still about. I soon bump into Jimmy Dix who runs the butchers shop in the market and we were at school together.. (This man is a dead ringer for Oliver Reed) ''You still singing Aitch''. '' No Jim I'm in the film game'' They're all poofs in that game''. ''Not all of them Jim'' We went on to chat about old times then Jim decided he fancied a swift half with his long lost mate.. (Me) The afternoon sped by and when Jimmy decided to get up and sing a song in the pub (there was no music), I decided it was time to go to work.. When I get to the hall we're filming in the 1st A.D. tells me it'll be another couple of hours 'til they get to my bit and would I like to go for a tea break. (Now a strong coffee break is more what I'm after) I drink a few cups of coffee and wander down to the canal to have a look around. It's still there that big warehouse that Hitchcock used back in the black and white days. After a ten minute kip on a bench I make my way to the hall just in time to do my bit.. I say the words (Don't fall over the furniture) then it's ''Cut and print'' One Take.. If only they was all as easy as this. Bye, Bye Jimmy Dix and it was a good afternoon. Best wishes Aitch See Harry Fielder on Google
I really like this film. It's just one of those films that bring a smile to your face. There are some fantastic moments: Roland Culver dying while Michael Palin obliviously continues with his speech, Michael Hordern as the butler who doesn't know where he's going, Michael Palin being propositioned by a lady of the night (and accepting). It's just a very charming film.One thing that did strike me about it though is how we find situations acceptable if they are transported into the past. I don't think it would be considered very funny to make a film in which a Reverend lets three child prostitutes into his bed at once if it was set in today's London. We can laugh about the hypocritical sexual shenanigans of the Victorians though. Paedophilia's funny as long as it's in the distant past.
In England in 1906, a young reverend, with a sense of vocation and just before marriage, is entrusted to open a house of refuge for fallen ladies of East End. He is then seduced by the grateful girls and a witty, love-seeking lady nob, who is ready to support the institute.A fitfully amusing, crisply acted, often sophisticated period comedy whose central conception - prostitutes do what they do for pleasure - is slightly absurd to say the least. Most of its fun is provided by the garnish.