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The Missionary [1983]
![The Missionary [1983]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5182G3RQ9BL._SL160_.jpg)
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Review date: 2008-03-17 Rating: 4 out of 10
The Reverend Fortescue comes home after converting the heathen in Darkest Africa for ten years, his luggage a few cases and an African phallic symbol. His virginal fiancee has faithfully awaited him!
He is then posted to a mission in East London, amid the "fallen women" ("some aged as young as 13" or 14!", as the Bishop tells him) who mostly do not want to be as virtuous as the Reverend supposes! He soon discovers that they like him, though: one finds her young way into his bed, closely followed a little later the same night buy two equally young friends...although funding for the mission dries up after a titled lady discovers him in flagrante with the three (rather than with her, as she desires), the girls bring in enough money from their "work" to keep the fires burning.
The locations are beautifully filmed though, I think, uncredited: Highclere Castle in Berkshire for the titled lady's residence; the National Liberal Club off Whitehall for the "Churches and Universities Club".
In the end...well, I had better not spoil it...For me, Palin is good at acting one part which he reprises with different costumes and roles in all his films. And the plot is basic, really. Funny? In parts, but it struggles. Worth seeing once, though.
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Reviews
The Python under the Cassock
Review date: 2008-02-13 Rating: 8 out of 10
Coming hot on the heels on Michael Palin's `Ripping Yarns' and with its turn of the twentieth century setting it was widely assumed that `The Missionary' would be an extended episode. However it was a much gentler and subtle comedy with however some of the Pythonesque `silliness' that populated the comedy of `Ripping Yarns' is still present with Palin's fiancé believing fallen women being those whom have hurt their Knees and Michael Hordern's forgetful butler whom gets lost amongst Lord Ames country estate.
Palin is the missionary of the title returning to England after ten years in Africa to help the prostitutes of London's East End. Palin is given the job by the Bishop of London admirably played by Denholm Elliot and is required to obtain funding from Lord and Lady Ames played by Trevor Howard and the great Maggie Smith. I must say the best line goes to the Bishop of London `I must be going, I've got an exorcism in Chiswick.'
As well as the stellar cast the film is helped by Palin's wonderful script and the subtle direction of Richard Loncraine. Although not as laugh out loud funny as the Monty Python films, `The Missionary' is a wonderful warm and funny film.
Product Details/Specifications
Recording label: Starz Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Starz Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060020700439
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-10-23
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2