Go

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Year: 1975
Production Co: Michael White Productions
Director: Terry Gilliam/Terry Jones
Producer: Mark Forstater/Michael White
Writer: Terry Gilliam/Terry Jones/Graham Chapman/John Cleese/Eric Idle/Michael Palin
Cast: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Connie Booth
It's amazing to recall Monty Python only did two thematic, plot-based films like this one (the other being Life of Brian). Even The Meaning of Life was a series of skits more like their Flying Circus TV show.

Not nearly as controversial, they skewer the Arthurian myth of the round table as Arthur (Chapman) criss-crosses England in search of the Holy Grail of legend, recruiting his valiant knights on the way and meeting various adventures and misadventures, from the Invincible Black Knight who may just be a loony to the convent full of young novices who want a good spanking and then oral sex.

The genius of their humour was that anything was game - even the film itself is in on the joke. Without the budget, wherewithal or expertise to use horses, Arthur and his dedicated helper Patsy ride pretend horses through the countryside while patsy clonks two halves of a coconut together, one character even taking issue with how a tropical fruit made it to England.

Full of the trademark gags and characters straight out of their theatre of the absurd philosophy and as much an instant classic as Life of Brian, though not nearly as politically satirical.

© 2011-2023 Filmism.net. Site design and programming by psipublishinganddesign.com | adambraimbridge.com | humaan.com.au