American Friends

American Friends
Directed by	Tristram Powell
Produced by	Steve Abbott Patrick Cassavetti
Written by	Michael Palin Tristram Powell
Starring	Michael Palin Connie Booth Trini Alvarado
Music by	Georges Delerue
Cinematography	Philip Bonham-Carter
Editing by	George Akers
Distributed by	Palace Pictures
Release date(s)	22 March 1991
Running time	95 min
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

American Friends is a 1991 film starring Michael Palin. It was written by Palin and Tristram Powell, and directed by Powell.

Plot

Palin plays Francis Ashby, a senior Oxford professor on holiday in the Swiss Alps in 1861. There he meets the American Caroline Hartley (Connie Booth) and her 18-year old ward Elinor (Trini Alvarado). Ashby is drawn to them both, particularly Elinor, but is rather surprised when they arrive in Oxford and rent a house. Women are not allowed in the College, nor are Fellows allowed to marry, which puts him in an embarrassing situation. Ashby's rival for the post of College President, Oliver Syme (Alfred Molina), takes full advantage of this to try to discredit Ashby.

Inspiration

The plot was based on a real-life incident involving Palin's great-grandfather, Edward Palin.

Cast

• Michael Palin - Rev. Francis Ashby
• Trini Alvarado - Elinor Hartley
• Connie Booth - Caroline Hartley
• Alfred Molina - Oliver Syme
• Bryan Pringle - Haskell
• Fred Pearson - Hapgood
• Susan Denaker - Mrs. Cantrell
• Jonathan Firth - Cable
• Ian Dunn - Gowers
• Robert Eddison - William Granger Rushden
• David Calder - Pollitt
• Simon Jones - Anderson
• Charles McKeown - Maynard
• Roger Lloyd-Pack - Dr. Butler
• John Nettleton - Rev. Groves
• Alun Armstrong - Dr. Victor Weeks
• Sheila Reid - Mrs. Weeks
• Edward Rawle-Hicks - John Weeks
• Markus Gehrig - Swiss Guide
• Jo Stone-Fewings - Undergraduate
• Jimmy Jewel - Ashby Senior
• Wensley Pithey - Cave
• Arthur Howard - Voe
• Charles Simon - Canon Harper

External links

• American Friends at the Internet Movie Database
• American Friends at AllRovi