The Missionary is a 1982 British comedy film directed by Richard Loncraine, and starring Michael Palin and Maggie Smith. It was produced by George Harrison, Denis O'Brien, Palin (who also wrote the screenplay) and Neville C. Thompson. Plot A Church of England priest, Reverend Charles Fortescue, works as a missionary in Africa and after ten years returns to England in the spring of 1906. As the ship docks, a fellow passenger, later identified as Isabel Lady Ames, bumps into him by accident. Charles is engaged to Deborah Fitzbanks, the daughter of a fellow clergyman. She was only a child when he left but is now a young woman eager to be married and have lots of children; however, she dislikes being touched by him. The Bishop of London gives him a new assignment, to set up a mission to rescue the women of the evening who frequent the London Docklands, but cannot offer him any funding. To assist him, Deborah writes to Lord Ames, the richest man in England. Charles reluctantly calls at their enormous mansion. The place has so many rooms that Slatterthwaite, the longtime butler, constantly has trouble finding his way about. He does eventually manage to bring Charles to the Ameses. Lord Ames loathes missionaries (among other things), but Lady Ames is inclined to contribute, especially as she finds him attractive (and tells him so). Somewhat alarmed, Charles tries to leave, but she insists he spend the night. Late that night, she comes to his room. He tries to get her to leave but when they hear someone coming she hides under his bed clothes. It turns out to be Slatterthwaite, lost once again. After he realises that this is not his room, he departs. Isabel then takes advantage of the situation to take advantage of Charles. Satisfied, she funds his mission. Charles industriously sets to work, but the first prostitute he speaks to is highly sceptical. When he insists that he does not look down upon her, she challenges him to prove it by sleeping with her. Apparently he does, and as word quickly spreads of his unorthodox methods, his mission is soon filled with young women. When Isabel pays a visit, she discovers him exhausted and sleeping on the floor, with three naked women in his bed. She cuts off her contributions. When Charles tries to explain himself, Isabel states that she was hoping he