In 1905, after 10 years of missionary work in Africa, the Rev. Charles Fortesque is recalled to England, where his bishop gives him his new assignment - to minister to London's prostitutes.
In 1904 London, the shy and inexperienced Reverend Charles Sumner is sent to the African colony of Portuguese East Africa by the Young Men's Missionary Society. His mission is to establish a 'mission for fallen women,' which he believes to be a respectable establishment for young ladies. Upon arrival, he discovers that the mission is actually a thinly veiled brothel run by the formidable Mrs. Slattery. Sumner struggles hilariously to adapt to his new surroundings and the unconventional methods of his new acquaintances.
The Missionary was met with mixed to positive reviews from critics. While some praised its satirical edge and the performances of its lead actors, particularly Michael Palin, others found its humor occasionally uneven and its social commentary a bit too subtle. Audiences generally found it an amusing, albeit somewhat forgettable, comedy.
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Michael Palin based his character's extreme awkwardness and politeness on his own real-life experiences with the British upper class, particularly his observations of distant relatives.
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