Rent The Missionary (1982)

Disappointing - The Missionary review by MW

As a huge fan of Michael Palin and sharing, as I thought, the same sense of humour, I was looking forward to watching 'The Missionary' and surprised that I hadn't seen it before.

In the event I have to say that I really didn't find it funny at all. There were numerous incidents which should have been funny, but somehow did absolutely nothing for me! Maybe it caught me on a bad night!

Clever Period Comedy - The Missionary review by GI

Michael Palin's first solo effort away from the Monty Python team and a film he wrote, scripted and stars in. This is a big step away from the Python zany comedy and much closer to the style of Palin's TV series Ripping Yarns. Essentially a comedy of manners set in 1906 and Palin is the enthusiastic yet naïve Reverend Charles Fortescue who returns to England after ten years as a missionary in Africa. He yearns to marry his fiancée Deborah but his Bishop (Denholm Elliott) gives him a new role to set up a mission in London for 'fallen women'. This sets the frustrated Charles on a difficult course surrounded by young women who want some genuine love and affection and his troubles are further enhanced by the unwelcome attentions of his sponsor, Lady Ames (Maggie Smith). A gentle comedy with a wonderful recreation of the times especially the slums of docklands. There's a dreamy and nostalgic atmosphere to the film and it's a delight with little bursts of silliness and Palin's skill at portraying a boring man forced into unusual circumstances. A film well worth renting if you've never seen it. There's a prestigious cast too, Trevor Howard, Michael Hordern, Timothy Spall and David Suchet.