Monty Python alumnus Michael Palin writes and stars in this ribald comedy of sex and sensibility. Timid Reverend Charles Fortescue returns to London in 1906 after ten years of service in Africa to start a mission to save the fallen women of Soho. But his dedication to tending to the needs of those in his care soon meets with the disapproval of the church and his patron.
Directed by Richard Loncraine (Richard III, Bellman & True), The Missionary is a charming and beautifully detailed comedy which boasts a superb supporting cast that includes Maggie Smith, Trevor Howard, Denholm Elliott, Michael Hordern, Graham Crowden and Neil Innes.
This world Blu-ray premiere edition boasts a stunning new 2K restoration from the original negatives, supervised and approved by cinematographer Peter Hannan and director Richard Loncraine, finally enabling the film to be seen in its original 2.35:1 theatrical aspect ratio for the first time ever on any home video format.
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Technical Specifications
Supplements
- Audio commentary with writer and actor Michael Palin (2002)
- Audio commentary with director Richard Loncraine and film historian Sam Dunn (2019)
- Compulsively Entertaining (2019, 38 mins): Michael Palin and Maggie Smith reflect on the making of The Missionary
- A Good Collar (2019, 8 mins): costume designer Shuna Harwood discusses her work on the film
- A Very British Sound (2019, 8 mins): veteran composer and record producer Mike Moran explores the score of The Missionary
- Playing the Part (2019, 4 mins): Ken Lintott recalls his approach to the film’s make-up
- Snapshots of Sound (2019, 10 mins): interview with sound recordist Tony Jackson
- A Stiff Old Fashioned (2019, 23 mins): appreciation by comedian, musician and writer Rob Deering
- Deleted scenes (8 mins, mute with subtitled dialogue)
- Original theatrical trailer
- Image gallery: promotional and publicity material
- Limited edition exclusive 40-page booklet with an extract from Robert Sellers’ Very Naughty Boys: The Amazing True Story of HandMade Films, extracts from Palin’s Halfway to Hollywood: Diaries 1980–88, Michael Palin on The Missionary, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits