Posted on 04/09/2025 5:40:24 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
Fifty years after Monty Python and the Holy Grail redefined comedy, stars Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam look back on the freedoms – and limitations – that shaped the film.
An independent British comedy made on a shoestring by a television sketch troupe? It sounds like a film destined to be forgotten within weeks of leaving cinemas – assuming it reaches cinemas in the first place. But Monty Python and the Holy Grail is still revered as one of the greatest ever big-screen comedies, 50 years on from its release in April 1975. Terry Gilliam, who co-directed the film with Terry Jones, thinks he knows why. "Every time I watch it I'm completely bowled over by how incredibly wonderful it is," Gilliam tells the BBC. "It's still so funny, and I just love everything about it."
The Monty Python team first appeared on TV together in a BBC series, Monty Python's Flying Circus, in 1969. Five of the six members – Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle and Michael Palin – had honed their craft in student comedy societies at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The sixth, Gilliam, had moved to the UK from the US, and provided animated segments which linked their surreal sketches. In 1971, some of these sketches were reshot and compiled into a film, And Now for Something Completely Different, but the Pythons had ambitions to make a bona fide feature film – or some of them did, at least.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
When I was growing up in Buffalo, cable TV and HBO was just starting. HBO was free for the summer. They didn’t have much content (and it wasn’t a streaming service) but they showed The Holy Grail a few times a day. I must have watched it a hundred times.
I don’t think I ever sat through an entire Monty Python production, I just don’t think
those poofters were that funny. I didn’t particularly care for Benny Hill, or the Marx brothers, or the 3 stooges. Abbott & Castello and Laurel and Hardy were boring as well. Although Stan Laurel had humorous mannerisms. Martin & Lewis were sort of okay.
I like silent movie comedy tho’ Keaton, Harold Lloyd, but Chaplin wasn’t that humorous.
She turned me into Newt Gingrich.
It could be carried by an African Swallow. But then African Swallows are nonmigratory.
More likely a balance of magical chemicals!
At Mass during Holy Week, there was a long Latin chant. At a pause, one of my boys hit his head with the book. I couldn’t stop laughing!
To this day, I still refer to erroneous or misleading signage as a “Grail-Shaped Beacon”.
Lol!
It is a classic comedy movie. Along the line of Caddyshack, Young Frankenstein and Blazzing Saddles.
All of us could quote multiple lines from Monty Python and the Holy Grail because it was genuinely FUNNY.
Whether it is “bring out your dead”, “she turned me into a newt”, “I got better”, “what is the velocity of a laden sparrow”, “I’m being oppressed” , etc.
No different than if anyone posts something about BRAINS, someone will post “Abby Something” in reference to Igor’s response from Young Frankenstein.
The thing is they just can not make movies like this anymore in the politically correct Hollywood.
Absolutely insane, wonderfully hilarious movie, and one of my all time favorites.
Watch it back to back with Animal House, The Life of Brian, Young Frankenstein, and It’s A Mad, Mad World…
“T’is but a flesh wound…. “
Totally agree. It was one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen and more than once I might add. I have three movies that I watch with any woman I date, ‘Holy Grail, Last of the Mohicans and Smoky and the Bandit.’ If they don’t like those movies, it gives me pause. My late wife and I saw HG and SATB in the theater. She didn’t live to see LOM, but I’m sure she would have loved it. My present wife loves them all, though it took her a bit to get into Smoky.
I’m not dead yet.
In spring, a young man's fancy turns to lust.
It’s a great movie in its own right, but it’s actually too polished and professionally done. They obviously had a bigger budget. The cheapness of HG shines through and adds to its charm. Though the “I want to be called Loretta” scene in LoB is priceless when you look at the world we live in today. Way before it’s time. Wonder if anyone has ever asked Cleese or Gilliam about that.
Try the link at post 32.
Just yesterday we were saying “hello! Why do you think I have this outrageous French accent? You silly king!”
Castle Anthrax certainly appeals to little boys. Please, let me stay and FACE the peril!!!
Tim:
There he is!
King Arthur:
Where?
Tim:
There!
King Arthur:
What? Behind the rabbit?
Tim:
It *is* the rabbit!
King Arthur:
You silly sod!
Tim:
What?
King Arthur:
You got us all worked up!
Tim:
Well, that’s no ordinary rabbit.
King Arthur:
Ohh.
Tim:
That’s the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on!
Sir Robin:
You tit! I soiled my armor I was so scared!
Tim:
Look, that rabbit’s got a vicious streak a mile wide! It’s a killer!
Sir Galahad:
Get stuffed!
Tim:
He’ll do you up a treat, mate.
Sir Galahad:
Oh, yeah?
Sir Robin:
You mangy Scots git!
Tim:
I’m warning you!
Sir Robin:
What’s he do? Nibble your bum?
Tim:
He’s got huge, sharp... er... He can leap about. Look at the bones!
King Arthur:
Go on, Bors. Chop his head off!
Sir Bors:
Right! Silly little bleeder. One rabbit stew comin’ right up!
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