American Friends
“An education in love”
Synopsis
Francis Ashby, a senior Oxford don on holiday alone in the Alps, meets holidaying American Caroline and her companion Elinor, the blossoming Irish-American girl she adopted many years before. Ashby finds he enjoys their company, particularly that of Elinor, and both the women are drawn to him. Back at Oxford he is nevertheless taken aback when they arrive unannounced. Women are not allowed in the College grounds, let alone the rooms. Indeed any liaison, however innocent, is frowned on by the upstanding Fellows.
Top Cast
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Michael Palin
Rev. Francis Ashby
Trini Alvarado
Elinor Hartley
Connie Booth
Caroline Hartley
Alfred Molina
Oliver Syme
Bryan Pringle
Haskell
Jonathan Firth
Cable
Susan Denaker
Mrs. Cantrell
David Calder
Pollitt
Robert Eddison
Rushden - The President
Simon Jones
Anderson
Fred Pearson
Hapgood
Ian Dunn
Gowers
Charles McKeown
Maynard
Roger Lloyd Pack
Dr. Butler
John Nettleton
Groves
Alun Armstrong
Dr. Weeks
Sheila Reid
Mrs. Weeks
Charles Simon
Canon Harper
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
Undisclosed
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$23K
Total global ticket sales
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Tristram Powell
- Screenplay & Story
- Michael Palin, Tristram Powell
- Original Score
- Georges Delerue
- Original Title
- American Friends
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- German, English
- Runtime
- 1h 35m
- Worldwide Gross
- $23K
- Production Studios
- Prominent Features, Mayday, Millenium, BBC, British Screen Productions, British Screen
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Tristram Powell
Michael Palin, Tristram Powell
Georges Delerue
Philip Bonham-Carter
George Akers
Steve Abbott, Patrick Cassavetti
Department Leadership Roster
Tristram Powell
Director
Michael Palin
Writer
Tristram Powell
Writer
Steve Abbott
Producer
Patrick Cassavetti
Producer
Philip Bonham-Carter
Director of Photography
George Akers
Editor
Georges Delerue
Original Music Composer
Andrew McAlpine
Production Design
Bob Ringwood
Costume Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for American Friends.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring American Friends.
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Frequently Asked Questions About American Friends
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is American Friends about?
Francis Ashby, a senior Oxford don on holiday alone in the Alps, meets holidaying American Caroline and her companion Elinor, the blossoming Irish-American girl she adopted many years before. Ashby finds he enjoys their company, particularly that of Elinor, and both the women are drawn to him. Back at Oxford he is nevertheless taken aback when they arrive unannounced. Women are not allowed in the College grounds, let alone the rooms. Indeed any liaison, however innocent, is frowned on by the upstanding Fellows.
Who directed American Friends?
American Friends was directed by Tristram Powell.
Who stars in American Friends?
The principal cast of American Friends includes Michael Palin, Trini Alvarado, Connie Booth, Alfred Molina, Bryan Pringle.
When was American Friends released and how long is it?
American Friends was released in 1991 with a total runtime of 1h 35m.
How much did American Friends make at the box office?
American Friends grossed $23K in worldwide ticket sales.
Who composed the musical score for American Friends?
The original motion picture soundtrack for American Friends was composed by Georges Delerue.
What is the age rating and content advisory for American Friends?
American Friends holds official age classifications: DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.).