The Missionary (1982): cast, story & where to watch
1982 · Film · ★ 5.9
Released in 1982, The Missionary is a comedy film directed by Richard Loncraine, running about 90 minutes.
What it’s about. 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.
Who’s in it. The Missionary stars Michael Palin as The Reverend Charles Fortescue, Maggie Smith as Lady Isabel Ames, Trevor Howard as Lord Henry Ames and Denholm Elliott as The Bishop of London, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.9/10, The Missionary has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $7.2M at the box office.
Where to watch. In GB you can rent or buy it from BFI Player and Amazon Video. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Missionary page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Missionary tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Missionary (1982)?
- In GB, The Missionary is available to rent or buy from BFI Player and Amazon Video. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Missionary worth watching?
- The Missionary holds an audience score of 5.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Missionary?
- The Missionary stars Michael Palin, Maggie Smith, Trevor Howard, Denholm Elliott and Graham Crowden.
- When was The Missionary released?
- The Missionary was released in 1982, with a runtime of about 90 minutes.