Missionary, The

Hilarious British comedy in the tradition of the Monty Python films. In 1905, after 10 years of missionary work in Africa, the Rev. Charles Fortesque (Michael Palin) is recalled to England, where the Bishop of London (Denholm Elliott) gives him his new assignment - to minister to London's prostitutes. Charles hopes Deborah, his fiancee, will object and give him an excuse to refuse the bishop, but she innocently urges him to do his best. Wealthy, sex-crazed Lady Ames (Maggie Smith) is expected to fund the work, but she makes it clear to Charles that there’ll be no contribution unless he shares her bed... Though a comic farce, Palin also attempts a more thoughtful reflection on sexual hypocrisy in Edwardian London.