Monty Python (film series)

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT (aka MONTY PYTHON'S AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT) (PG)

D: Ian MacNaughton

Columbia/Kettledrum/Python (Patricia Casey)

UK 🇬🇧 1971

88 mins

Comedy

W: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones & Michael Palin

DP: David Muir

Ed: Thom Noble

Graham Chapman (various characters) John Cleese (various characters), Terry Gilliam (various characters), Eric Idle (various characters), Terry Jones (various characters), Michael Palin (various characters)

Monty Python's first cinematic outing lacks narrative structure and is merely a collection of sketches from the first two seasons of the comedy troupe's BBC TV show, intended to introduce American audiences to their brand of humour, incredibly unique at the time. It didn't really strike a chord Stateside, but was incredibly well received in its native U.K.

For fans of Python, or even those who are curious about Python, this is a must-watch. It has very little to offer to anyone else.

The troupes later films took on a more traditional narrative, but retained the barmy humour.

6/10

John Cleese in And Now For Something Completely Different

MONTY PYTHON & THE HOLY GRAIL (15)

D: Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones

Python/EMI (Mark Forstater)

UK 🇬🇧 1975

90 mins

Comedy

W: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle & Michael Palin

DP: Terry Bedford

Ed: John Hackney

Mus: Neil Innes

Graham Chapman (King Arthur / various other characters), John Cleese (Sir Lancelot / various), Terry Gilliam (Patsy / various), Eric Idle (Sir Robin / various), Michael Palin (Sir Galahad / various), Terry Jones (Sir Bedevere)

The hellzapoppin-like Monty Python comedy troupe are certainly not everybody's cup of tea, you'll either find them ridiculous or hilarious, but if you fall into the latter group, the British comedy cadre's take on the medieval legend of King Arthur's quest for the Holy Grail will most likely be the funniest film you will ever see.

There's lots to laugh at and every fan will have their favourite moments, whether it be the duel with The Black Knight, the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch, or the Knights Who Say 'Ni'. The film inspired a stage musical, Spamalot, which is every bit as good as the motion picture.

9/10

MONTY PYTHON'S LIFE OF BRIAN (15)

D: Terry Jones

Hand Made Films (John Goldstone)

UK 🇬🇧 1979

93 mins

Comedy

W: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle & Michael Palin

DP: Peter Biziou

Ed: Julian Doyle

Mus: Geoffrey Burgon

Graham Chapman (Brian / various others), John Cleese (various), Terry Gilliam (various), Eric Idle (various), Michael Palin (various), Terry Jones (The Virgin Mandy / various)

Monty Python take on the tale of Christ, featuring a man named Brian as an contemporary alternative for the religious figure.

As with everything Monty Python, you really have to be a fan of the comedy troupe to fully appreciate it, otherwise you'll just find it ridiculously silly and rather pointless.

The team found themselves in hot water with religious factions at the time of release, who deemed the film blasphemous. Still, it made them all incredibly wealthy with a huge amount of success from a vast cult following.

8/10

MONTY PYTHON'S THE MEANING OF LIFE (15)

D: Terry Jones

Universal/Celandine (John Goldstone)

UK 🇬🇧 1983

90 mins

Comedy

W: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle & Michael Palin

DP: Peter Hannan

Ed: Julian Doyle

Mus: Eric Idle & John du Prez

Graham Chapman (various characters), John Cleese (various), Terry Gilliam (various), Eric Idle (various), Michael Palin (various), Terry Jones (various), Carol Cleveland (various)

Unlike Monty Python's take on The Holy Grail and the Life of 'Brian', this film lacks a traditional narrative in favour of a series of sketches, akin to And Now For Something Completely Different, except exclusively covering the topics of life, death, sex, contraception, gluttony and other such sins & lessons in life.

The sketches are of varying quality, but none are funnier than the comedy groups previous works or, indeed, the sketches from their first vignette, And Now For Something Completely Different (qv).

There are occasional moments of amusement, but this is very hit-and-miss. A rare off day from a group of talented comedians.

6/10