American Friends is a 1991 film starring Michael Palin. It was written by Palin and Tristram Powell, and directed by Powell. Palin plays Francis Ashby, a senior Oxford professor on holiday in the Swiss Alps in 1861. There he meets the American Caroline Hartley and her 18-year old ward Elinor . 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 to discredit Ashby. The plot was based on a real-life incident involving Palin's great-grandfather, Edward Palin.
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| Release date: | March 22, 1991 |
| Directed by: | Tristram Powell |
| Rated: |  |
| Runtime: | 95 Minutes |
| Producer: | Steve Abbott |
| Editor: | George Akers |
| Music by: | Georges Delerue |
| Screenplay by: | Michael Palin |
| Genre: | Comedy |