We want to get to know you more to help improve our service. Please take 2 minutes to fill out our survey here. Thank you! test2

Discover content and watch films on our latest and improved iOS app. Download it here!

This film is part of Rentals

The Missionary 15 rating

In his first substantial feature-film role away from the involvement of his Monty Python cohorts, Michael Palin stars as a 19th-century missionary tasked with setting up a mission for fallen prostitutes.

Comedy 1983 86 mins

Director: Richard Loncraine

Overview

In his first substantial feature-film role away from the involvement of his Monty Python cohorts, Michael Palin stars as a 19th-century missionary tasked with setting up a mission for fallen prostitutes. He soon discovers that although the wealthy Lady Ames (Maggie Smith) is lined up as a financial backer, her patronage comes with strings attached...

While making Time Bandits, Handmade Films executive producers Denis O'Brien and George Harrison asked Michael Palin to conceive of a movie idea of his own choosing. The Missionary was the result. The film features actual locations including Longleat House in Wiltshire; Dorney Court; Highclere Castle in Hampshire; and Ardverikie House in Scotland. Reportedly, actor Michael Hordern lost his way in the labyrinthine passages of Wiltshire's Longleat, an action fitting of his absent-minded character Slatterthwaite. Director Richard Loncraine has said of this film that it was "one of the happiest films I've ever made".