听 Michael Palin takes up the challenge to set up a mission for fallen women in his role as "The Missionary". While an uneven film, it's full of gentle humour, and features a delightful scene with Michael Harden as a lost butler which alone is almost worth getting the DVD for. The disc itself comes with some interesting retrospective features.
TECHNICAL FEATURES
Picture Even on the 1984 video release this film always looked slightly murky, and as such has certainly improved on DVD, although some scenes do look a little soft. It's an acceptable transfer though, and it's a real bonus to see the elegant settings of this film in widescreen.
Sound A clear effort has been made to separate the dialogue and effects to their appropriate speakers, but the rear speakers are sometimes too dominant with distracting outdoor effects. Once the rears are turned right down the mix works fine, although lacks bass. The 2.0 option on the disc is quite adequate, as this is very much a dialogue-led movie.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Audio Commentary Michael Palin revisits a film he made 20 years ago in an audio commentary that's delivered in his usual genial and informative style. He reveals that the idea of the film came to him while walking on Hampstead Heath, but while keen to write the script, he had no desire to direct the film. He reminisces about working with the likes of Denholm Elliot and Trevor Howard, and recalls Michael Hordern teaching him fly-fishing. He's full of praise for Hordern and especially for his role as a forgetful butler in a scene that Palin feels may be the best he himself has appeared in.
Audio Commentary Two This 16-minute commentary from director Richard Loncraine doesn鈥檛 play during the film, but instead over stills taken from the movie. He, like Palin, feels that they didn鈥檛 succeed in achieving all they meant to with the movie, but that it "turned out pretty well". It was certainly for him, "one of the happiest films I've ever made".
Loncraine does take time to cover all the locations used for the shoot which turns out to be quite interesting as he is certain it would be impossible to shoot it in London any more. A peaceful scene in a field was in fact shot "150 yards from the end of the main runway at Heathrow", and the slum scenes were captured in an area that's now full of trendy bars and cafes.
Additional Extra Features Also on the DVD are film notes and cast and crew biographies.
Region: 2
Chapters: 18
Ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0
Technical Features: Scene selection, and animated menus.
This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.
