This classic Monty Python comedy, directed by Pythons Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, is a hilarious send-up of the grim circumstances of the Middle Ages as told through the story... more
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only to the same team's masterpiece, The Life of Brian (1979). Even though most of this film's set-pieces are now indelibly inscribed in every Python fan's psyche, as if by magic they never seem to pall. And they remain endlessly, joyfully quotable: from the Black Knight ("It's just a flesh wound"), to the constitutional peasants ("Come and see the violence inherent in the system!") and the taunting French soldier ("Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!"). Not forgetting of course the migratory habits of European and African swallows... The film's mock-Arthurian narrative provides a sturdy framework for the jokes, and the authentic-looking production design is relentlessly and gloriously dirty. The miniscule budget turns out to be one of the film's greatest assets: Can't afford horses? Use coconuts instead. No money for special effects? Let Terry Gilliam animate. And so on, from Camelot ("it's only a model") to the rampaging killer rabbit glove puppet. True it's let down a little by a rushed ending, and the jokes lack the sting of Life of Brian's sharply observed satire, but Holy Grail is still timeless comedy that's surely destined for immortality. On the DVD: Disc One contains a digitally remastered anamorphic (16:9) print of the film--which is still a little grainy, but a big improvement on previous video releases--with a splendidly remixed Dolby 5.1 soundtrack (plus an added 24 seconds of self-referential humour "absolutely free"!). There are two commentaries, one with the two Terrys, co-directors Jones and Gilliam, the other a splicing together of three separate commentaries by Michael Palin, John Cleese (in waspish, nit-picking mood) and Eric Idle. A "Follow the Killer Rabbit" feature provides access either to the Accountant's invoices or Gilliam's conceptual sketches. Subtitle options allow you to read the screenplay or watch with spookily appropriate captions from Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part II. The second disc has lots more material, much of it very silly and inconsequential (an educational film on coconuts, the Camelot song in Lego and so on), plus a long-ish documentary from 2001 in which Palin and Jones revisit Doune Castle, Glencoe and other Scottish locations. Perhaps best of all, though, are the two scenes from the Japanese version with English subtitles, in which we see the search for the Holy sake cup, and the Ni-saying Knights who want... bonsai! --Mark Walker
Production Year: 1983 - Comedy - Director: Harold Ramis, Amy Heckerling, Jeremiah S. Chechik, Stephen Kessler - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over
Advantages: Hilarious, great extras, funny everytime you watch it Disadvantages: Nothing!
I have loved Monty Python since seeing Monty Python's flying circus years ago, so when I saw this collector's edition dvd box set of 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' for sale in HMV I couldn't resist buying it. (and I love it even more now that Michael Palin was an honorary graduate at my graduation and I stood about five feet away from him! He also did his Knights of Ni impression)
The collector's edition dvd set comes in a cardboard casing which ... ...this film. All of the Monty Python cast are hilarious. It is not a serious film in the slightest and I find it very easy watching. There are also some songs throughout the film which are really well written with silly lyrics and catchy tunes.
My favourite bit in the film is when all of the knights pretend to be riding along on their horses whilst their servants make horse noises with coconuts. It's so ridiculous.
On disc 2 there are five extra ...
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Advantages: All the Movies in one Box Disadvantages: Doesn't include Live at the Hollywood Bowl
...the box set.
1. Monty Python's And Now For Something Completely Different
This was the first film that the Python's released and is a collection of sketches from the original TV series, but they were re-staged especially for a cinema release, all your favourite sketches are in this film. The famous "Say No More, Nudge, Nudge" skit, "Inflammatory Hungarioan Phrasebook", "Self Defence against Fruit", "Hell's Grannies", Blackmail" and the most famous ... ...on TV but with all Monty Python stuff, it always brings a smile and a giggle with it.
This DVD is in a 1.78:1 ratio and has been remastered so the picture quality is superb, the colours are crisp and the picture far from grainy, the audio mix is mono which is a shame but hey, at least it's in Dolby Digital so it's crisp.
2. Monty Python And The Holy Grail
After a chance meeting with God, Arthur and his so called Knig-its of the Round Table, Sir ...
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Advantages: full of laughter Disadvantages: jabawokki isnt there
for all you monty python lovers out there like me you deffinatley want to buy this box set as it includes.holy grail,life of bryan and the meaning of life and a extra dvd special which is full of the flying circus best comedy strips,such as the dead parrot and more...
the only reason i got into monty python is because my grandad loved them and he would cry with laughter and watching john cleese do what he does best makes you laugh. but its not all ... ...you can get the box set around about £20 - £30 and you can get them from,HMV,MVC,TESCO ETC.
the reaon i reckon you should get this is because its full of laughter all the way through you cant even breathe for 5 minutes without laughing.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\|Story lines|\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
the life of brian:life of brian is set back in the roman times,and brain is half jew and half roman but he is still treated like ...
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Monty Python And The Holy Grail (Box Set) (Special Edition)
Main specs
Actor(s): Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Carol Cleveland
Director(s): Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones
Genre: Comedy
Classification: 15 years and over
Production Year: 1974
Running Time: 1 hour 26 minutes
Franchise Name: Monty Python
Video Category: Feature Film
Country Of Origin: United Kingdom
Plot: The complete Python troupe is cast in this parody of the legend of the Holy Grail. The Knights of the Round Table battle dismembering foes and killer rabbits on their perilous quest.
Release details
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio(s): SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date: 14/06/2004
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: CDR 14164 B
Editor: John Hackney
Barcode: 5035822416475
Production Designer: Roy Smith
Screenwriter: Terry Jones, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Michael Palin
Animation: Terry Gilliam
Cinematographer: Terry Bedford
Composer: Eric Idle, Neil Innes
Featured: John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
Producer: Terry Jones, Mark Forstater, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam
Author: John Cleese, Graham Chapman
Voice: John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones
Pres/Narr: Michael Palin
Languages
Main Language: English
DVD Description
This classic Monty Python comedy, directed by Pythons Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, is a hilarious send-up of the grim circumstances of the Middle Ages as told through the story of King Arthur and framed by a modern-day murder investigation. When the mythical king of the Britons leads his knights on a quest for the Holy Grail, they face a wide array of horrors, including a persistent Black Knight, a three-headed giant, a cadre of shrubbery-challenged knights, the perilous Castle Anthrax, a killer rabbit, a house of virgins, and a handful of rude Frenchmen. In addition to the set pieces, the film also includes the same kind of surreal animation that Gilliam contributed to the television series. Throughout the irreverent adventures, the Python crew eschews realism in favor of anachronistic social satire, a recipe it later returned to in the 1979 biblical farce MONTY PYTHON'S LIFE OF BRIAN. Melding the ridiculous with the sublime, the film quickly inspired a cult following, generated a host of quotes, and even inspired a computer game 20 years after its release. The numerous songs and hysterical vignettes are sidesplittingly unforgettable.
Technical information
Special Features: Commentary - 1. Terry Gilliam, FOLLOW THE KILLER RABBIT Feature, Special feature for the hard of hearing!, Extra 24 seconds of nearly-new footage, Subtitles for people who don't like the film (from Shakespeare's Henry IV Part II), On-Screen Screenplay - follow while you watch, Three mindless singalongs!, Featurette - 1. Michael Palin and Terry Jones in 'The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations', 2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail in Lego!, 3. HOW TO USE YOUR COCONUTS: Educational film, 4. ON LOCATION WITH THE PYTHONS: 18 min BBC location report from 1974, 5. A LOAD OF RUBBISH - surprise package of mystery items!, 6. UNUSED LOCATIONS--See how the Director's recce used up the budget!, 7. UNUSED IDEAS, Theatrical Trailers, Weblinks, Interactive cast directory - how many roles did each Python play?, Many of Terry Gilliam's original sketches, Behind-the-scenes photos, Full Movie Screenplay, Exclusive Postcards, 35mm Movie Still
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, Dolby Surround
Dubbing Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround English Dolby Surround English
Professional reviews
Review: "...A marvelously particular kind of lunatic endeavor....The gags are nonstop..." (New York Times, p.34, 28/04/1975)
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