The Missionary

1982, DVD release 2008

Comedy

Executive Producers George Harrison and Denis O’Brien

Director Richard Loncraine

Handmade Films

Umbrella Entertainment

R4 DVD

Reviewer: Bob Estreich

Of all the Monty Python crew, Michael Palin came across as the clean and innocently dimwitted member. These days he is mostly known for his series of travelogues. It will surprise many to know that in the gap between Python and the travelogues he also made a number of slightly smutty but wonderfully good-natured films which gently lampooned the British upper class of the Victorian era. Possibly his later series Ripping Yarns was the best, but this little-known film is the first he brought out after Python.

The Reverend Charles Fortescue has returned to England after ten years as a missionary in Africa. He is somewhat disappointed that he has been unable to teach the natives even the basics of English history such as the Magna Carta, but that doesn’t matter. He will finally marry his childhood sweetheart , the somewhat obsessive but well-organised Deborah. He briefly meets a mysterious lady (Maggie Smith) who will re-enter his life very soon.

The Bishop of London (Denholm Elliott) offers Fortescue a new job – a mission to the “fallen women” of the London docklands. He is not sure what this work will involve, but apparently the Methodists are doing very well at it and there is no reason why the Church of England should be left behind. Fortescue will have to raise funds, buy a building, and, in the Bishop’s words, “Go among the prostitutes, Fortescue. Find out what they do, why they do it, and stop them doing it.”

In his fundraising efforts he meets the predatory and attractive Lady Ames, the mysterious woman he bumped into at the dock. She will arrange funds for the mission, but it is obvious that she wants some personal ministering herself. Although Fortescue is reluctant his fiancee persuades him to accept her help and the mission is opened.

It is unsuccessful at first, since Fortescue really has no experience of women. One young lady points out to him that “his lot just hates sex. “ They don’t know what it’s about so they automatically disapprove. He then proceeds to learn more about it in the most practical way. His personal understanding of the problem endears him to the local ladies and the mission becomes a success. His attitude now is that you mustn’t confuse the sexual act with moral and spiritual values, an attitude which the girls exploit – working girls, servants, the lot.

Lady Ames catches him in bed at the mission with three girls and withdraws her funding. She warns him that if he won’t help her change her life she will have to do it herself. The Mission is about to fall on hard times.

“Such was their regard for Fortescue that the inmates voluntarily decided to go back on the streets to raise money”.

The mission is now such a success that the other church missions are closing because they can’t get the girls. His Church hears of his unauthorised activities and warns him that he must leave the mission and take a nice parish in the country or risk disciplinary action or worse. He also learns there has been an attempt on Lord Ames’ life. It is his wedding day. Fearing the worst he pursues Lord and Lady Ames to Scotland where the Ames’ are recovering from the near-poisoning. (and where Lady Ames also has a Scottish lover waiting). Can he keep the Faith? Can he stop Lord Ames being murdered? Will his marriage to the lovely Deborah go through? Will he be able to stay in the Church?

Although Michael Palin plays the straight man in the film the other parts are brilliant showcases for the skills of the supporting actors. There are wonderful little parts, such as Denholm Elliott’s Bishop of London, and the butler who is perpetually lost in Lady Ames’ house.

There are many memorable one-liners such as Trevor Howard’s “What is wrong with the country today is there aren’t enough people chained up”

This is a lovely low-key comedy that shouldn’t offend anyone, but should give you a good laugh. It pokes fun at Victorian social attitudes and churches. The script is clever but not sarcastic. I recommend it.

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This review will appear in Volume 2 No.5 (2009) of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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