Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Review #174
Python (Monty) Pictures, Ltd. (1975)
Mov No.
Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones
Staring: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
Oscars: 0 nominations
AFI 100 years, 100 _____ tributes: None
Runtime: 1h 31min
Best quote: "What does it say?" "It reads, 'Here may be found the last words, of Joseph of Arimathea. He who is valiant, and pure of spirit, may find the Holy Grail, in the Castle of... aaaaaagggh.'" "What?" "'...The Castle of aaaaaagggh'." "What is that?" "He must have died while carving it," "Oh, come on!" "Well, that's what it says," "Look, if he was dying, he wouldn't bother to carve 'aaaaaggh,' he'd just say it!" "Well, that's what's carved in the rock,"Perhaps he was dictating," "Oh, shut up!" - King Arthur, Brother Maynard, King Arthur, Brother Maynard, Sir Bedevere, Brother Maynard, Sir Lancelot, Brother Maynard, King Arthur, Brother Maynard, Sir Galahad, King Arthur

King Arthur (Graham Chapman), and his Knights of the Round Table [Sir Lancelot (John Cleese), Sir Bors (Terry Gilliam), Sir Robin (Eric Idle), Sir Bedevere (Terry Jones) and Sir Galahad (Michael Palin)] embark on a quest to find the legendary Holy Grail, using all manner of vaudeville and slapstick comedy along the way.

The Grail, the cup Jesus Christ used at the last supper and latter used to catch his blood as he hung dying on the cross, was said to have been brought to Britain where it lay hidden. And now, all these years latter, King Arthur and his knights are on a quest to find it!

Never-the-less, and no matter what obsticle they may face, the Pythons -either together or apart- will search for the Grail. Only one thing is certain - hilarity will ensue!

Personal Comments

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is one of the funniest movies ever made. It is side-splittingly funny, and it is also terribly dissappointing that it was not chosen as one of the funniest 100 movies of all time by the AFI. (Hell, it's way funnier than Groundhog Day, which was on the list.)

Grail is full of blood, guts, gore, sexual innuendo and plain old raunchy humor, but comming from the warpped minds that are Monty Python, would you expect anyhting less?

The six Pythons (Chapman, Cleese, Gilliam, Idle, Jones and Palin) sure know comedy. They really know how to make a movie right! The Holy Grail is full of non-sense and sillyness but it works terrifically, producing, without a doubt, one of the funniest movies and top-ten cult-classics of all time.

Plot:
The plot is simple: find the Holy Grail. Still, the Pythons wrote a terrific story around this simple concept, creating a lush story with hysterical characters and memorable scenes (the killer rabbit, the Knights Who Say 'Ni!', etc.).

Visual Effects:
There are a great deal of special effects shots in the film; some of them are simple visual effects tricks and others are actual prop special effects. Either way, they make the story as funny as it is and even more so!

Sound:
The score is decent for the mammoth low-budget film that is The Holy Grail.

There is only one major song in the film, and that is the Camelot song near the beginning of the film. It is an hilarious song, and just totally fits in this zanny comedy. (You should see it done in LEGO!)

Character Development:
There is a total lack of character development in the film, and it hurts. But don't let this take away from the enjoyment of the film.

Atmosphere:
Everyone who is anyone should love this film... it so funny that no one could hate this film. Every one will be laughing!

Warning:

Do not drink fluids while wathcing!

Realism:

Warren’s Rating:

FINAL RATING

Is the movie worth your time to watch?

13-04-05