This film is part of Rentals
The Missionary
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".
Related
Comedy
The Toll The Toll
Comedy 2020 83 mins Director: Ryan Hooper
Michael Smiley plays a criminal hiding out at the quietest toll booth in Wales, in this irresistibly clever and darkly-comic crime caper.
Runaway Railway Runaway Railway
Children's 1965 55 mins Director: Jan Darnley-Smith
A pre-Porridge Ronnie Barker plays a dim-witted train robber up to no good in this steam-era comedy adventure for kids
I Never Cry I Never Cry
Comedy 2020 97 mins Director: Piotr Domalewski
Darkly comic Polish drama about a young woman who goes on a voyage of self-discovery in Ireland after her father unexpectedly passes away.
It Must Be Heaven It Must Be Heaven
Comedy 2019 102 mins Director: Elia Suleiman
Acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman returns with another deadpan take on life in exile that is typically assured and moving.
Black Bear Black Bear
Comedy 2020 106 mins Director: Lawrence Michael Levine
At a remote lake house, a filmmaker plays a calculated game of desire and jealousy in the pursuit of a work of art that blurs the boundaries between autobiography and invention.
Sometimes Always Never Sometimes Always Never
Comedy 2018 91 mins Director: Carl Hunter
Bill Nighy, Sam Riley and Alice Lowe star in this stylish and heartfelt comedy-drama about a Scrabble-obsessed tailor searching for a lost son.
Comedy Genius
Hunt for the Wilderpeople Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Comedy 2016 101 mins Director: Taika Waititi
Juvenile delinquent Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) forms an unlikely partnership with Sam Neill’s grizzled bushman in this hilarious wild adventure from Taika Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows).
The Weekend The Weekend
Comedy 2016 94 mins Director: Sheridan De Myers
Street-smart Hackney comedy about three friends whose unexpected cash windfall funds the mother of all parties; from the talents behind YouTube hit Mandem on the Wall.
Spring Meeting Spring Meeting
Comedy 1941 94 mins Director: Walter C. Mycroft
A penniless woman’s attempts at matchmaking her way to riches go awry when her son falls for the wrong daughter of a nobleman.
Mindhorn Mindhorn
Comedy 2016 88 mins Director: Sean Foley
Julian Barratt is hilarious as the washed-up actor forced to reprise his 80s TV role as a sleuth with a robotic truth-telling eye, to help catch a deranged killer.
In the Loop In the Loop
Comedy 2009 106 mins Director: Armando Iannucci
Armando Iannucci returns to the world of his hit show The Thick of It as Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) and Simon Foster (Tom Hollander) deal with a Middle-East crisis of their own making.
Withnail & I Withnail & I
Comedy 1986 107 mins Director: Bruce Robinson
Richard E. Grant steals the show in the indomitable cult classic following two washed-up actors as they embark on a booze-filled getaway to the Lake District.
Featuring Michael Palin
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 11) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 11)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
Highlights in this episode include the terrific ‘Art Gallery’ sketch, with a Gumby-esque Terry Jones exhibited as a living art work.
Do Not Adjust Your Set - Special Edition! Do Not Adjust Your Set - Special Edition!
Children's 1968 27 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
This extended episode is an intriguing mixture of new material and newly shot reprises of sketches from the series.
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 4) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 4)
Children's 1968 21 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
A previously unreleased and newly restored episode of the classic pre-Python comedy show, featuring some distinctly surreal sketches.
Do Not Adjust Your Stocking Do Not Adjust Your Stocking
Comedy 1968 40 mins Director: Adrian Cooper
The first episode made for Thames Television features Terry Gilliam's stunning yuletide animation, The Christmas Card.
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 2) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 2)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
A more adult tone creeps into some of the sketches, in this second episode of the seminal series.
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 13) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 13)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
The last show of the first series sees everybody larking about somewhat.
Featuring Maggie Smith
Richard III Richard III
Drama 1995 104 mins Director: Richard Loncraine
Ian McKellen and Richard Loncraine’s bold restaging transplants Shakespeare’s play to an imagined 1930s fascist Britain.
The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne
Drama 1989 116 mins Director: Jack Clayton
Maggie Smith is astonishing in one of her greatest roles as a spinster who falls for Bob Hoskins’ brash businessman.
Directed by Richard Loncraine
Richard III Richard III
Drama 1995 104 mins Director: Richard Loncraine
Ian McKellen and Richard Loncraine’s bold restaging transplants Shakespeare’s play to an imagined 1930s fascist Britain.
New
Copilot Copilot
Drama 2021 119 mins Director: Anne Zohra Berrached
A captivating relationship, told from a woman’s perspective, in the lead up to an act that changed the world.
Sweet Thing Sweet Thing
Drama 2020 91 mins Director: Alexandre Rockwell
Three children embark on a wild trek across Massachusetts, crossing paths with a variety of eccentrics, in this poetic drama from 90s indie hero Alexandre Rockwell (In The Soup).
Boy Meets Boy Boy Meets Boy
Drama 2021 70 mins Director: Daniel Sánchez López
Two young men fall for each other over the course of a single day in this disarmingly tender debut from director Daniel Sánchez López.
The Father The Father
Drama 2020 97 mins Director: Florian Zeller
Anthony Hopkins won the Best Actor Academy Award® for his powerful portrayal of a man dealing with the onset of dementia.
Wildfire Wildfire
Drama 2020 84 mins Director: Cathy Brady
Sisterly bonds are pushed to breaking point in this simmering drama set on the Irish border, the debut feature from acclaimed shorts director Cathy Brady.
The Toll The Toll
Comedy 2020 83 mins Director: Ryan Hooper
Michael Smiley plays a criminal hiding out at the quietest toll booth in Wales, in this irresistibly clever and darkly-comic crime caper.