Once in a lifetime a movie comes along that is unparalleled in it’s genre. Monty Python and the Holy Grail is just such an endeavor. Nothing that came before it can hope to compare, nor anything since. This movie spurned sooo many catch phrases, phrases to which the mere allusion will bring folks to tears with laughter because of the images from the movie they invoke.
Help! Help! I’m being repressed!
Monty Python is a British comedy troupe consisting of the likes of such brilliance as Michael Palin, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Graham “Ex-doc” Chapman, Eric Idle, and Terry Jones. Their hit comedy show Monty Python’s Flying Circus set a new standard in humor. If you’ve not seen it, go rent it now! Better yet.. buy the set! These boys must have lead some really warped childhoods.. that’s all I’m sayin’!
Holy Grail is 91 minutes out of your life that you will never forget..or regret. Released in 1975, this is the comedy troupe’s take on the story of King Arthur. You don’t need to have seen Excalibur to get the humor, but it would probably help.
We apologise again for the fault in the subtitles. Those responsible for sacking the people who have just been sacked, have been sacked
The opening credits are worth buying the movie for by themselves. Do not go pop your corn during the opening credits, you will miss way too much! Who knew llamas were so danged talented?
It could be carried by an African Swallow
The movie starts off with King Arthur, who is searching for knights to aid in his quest. He travels the countryside on horse.. ok, no he doesn’t… his trusty servant, Patsy, has two halves of a coconut which he bangs together to make the sound of horse hooves while King Arthur sort of trots along. How in the world did coconuts end up in England back in 932AD, you ask? Why, possibly by swallows during migration.. or possibly not. There is a bit of debate on the issue from both sides of the coin, which is one of the best parts of the movie. Well ok, everything is the best part of the movie!
Run away! Run away
Our motley crew stumbles upon a cave with a most horrendous beast! This much-feared adversary has killed all men who have dared to try to defeat it. Yes my friends, you will be scared out of your armor by a killer rabbit.. ok, maybe laughed out of your armor!
It’s just a flesh wound!
In this masterpiece you will meet the black knight who just does not know when to quit. After losing limbs he still proclaims that he has won the battle, and wants more! This is just an incredibly funny skit.. I’ll warn you to remove all liquids from your mouth before watching this. Words cannot do any of this justice, you simply have to see for yourself.
I’m getting better
During an apparent plague in one village visited by Arthur, there is a cart rolling thru picking up the dead….and almost dead. Trying to convince the almost-dead to get on the cart is warped comedy at it’s finest.
When danger reared it’s ugly head
He bravely turned his tail and fled
Among the knights that Arthur recruits is Sir Robin, the not-quite-so-brave-as-Sir Lancelot, complete with his own minstrels. Said bard begins singing the praises of the brave Sir Robin, then degenerates to the not-so-brave Sir Robin as Robin runs from the three-headed giant, all the while loudly proclaiming that he did not run!
This is supposed to be a happy occasion. Let’s not bicker and argue about who killed who
The men behind Monty Python play various, and sometimes multiple, parts. Their timing is absolute perfection. Some have stated they don’t like the ending, but I do. I adore every part of this movie. I think the ending was inspired…. how do you end an irreverent movie but with more total irreverence? The ending was so unexpected that it was nothing short of brilliance.
DVD
*English, with subtitles in English, French, and Spanish
*Bonus Trailers
*Widescreen format
Rated PG and I’m not entirely sure why, possibly gore as in the lopping off of the black knight’s limbs.. but it’s done so comically that I find a hard time thinking this would in any way warp any child. As far as humor goes, most kids wouldn’t even get it. I would let any age watch it if they wished.
Blue. No, yel… auuuuuuuugh!
It was not my intention to go over every single aspect of this film. That would be doing you a grave disservice! I’ve given you merely a very few tastes of the great time you will have while you watch this movie. They are not in order, and there is soooo much more! You cannot miss the taunting frrrranchmen with their barrage of livestock, the Knights who say “Ni!”, the Trojan Rabbit, or the questioner on the bridge.
Holy Grail is just one of those movies that is very difficult to review, I could never come close to imparting the true comedic genius of this movie. I’ll stop trying now. Suffice it to say that you must see this movie!
No, now go away before I taunt you a second time
