American Friends

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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
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IMDb profile

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

[edit] Plot

Palin plays Francis Ashby, a senior Oxford professor on holiday in the 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, takes full advantage of this to try and discredit Ashby. However the situation is finally resolved and Ashby and Elinor are finally married.

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