Rent Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Still Hilarious After All These years - Monty Python and the Holy Grail review by GI

I have an enormous fondness for the Python team's first real movie (there had been a cinematic collection of some of their episodes previously released). It's a zany, anarchic and thoroughly hilarious comedy and I challenge anyone not to laugh out loud even if you've seen this many times before. There are some very memorable characters, all played by the Python boys who take on multiple roles, from John Cleese' French taunting knight to his Tim the Enchanter, Michael Palin's Sir Galahad the Chaste to Dennis the peasant and many others. What's great is the glorious vision of mediaeval England with it's mud and filth, witch trials, 'bring out your dead' carts and swirling mists and ancient myths. Like all of Monty Python films and the TV show this has a prod at religion, politics, English culture and sexuality. It's a brilliantly clever film and arguably better than their more celebrated '.....Life of Brian' (1979) but this is open to much debate. So in case you've never seen this classic it's the story of King Arthur who tours the country looking for knights to join him at Camelot but deciding it's a silly place he heads off with a motley bunch only to be given a quest by God (who actually shows up!) to seek the Holy Grail. Having various adventures in their hunt including dealing with a very dangerous rabbit, those insulting French knights and indeed the police it all culminates at an ancient castle. One of the funniest comedy films you'll ever see. Check it out if you've missed this, you will not regret it.

Comedy Classic. - Monty Python and the Holy Grail review by Steve

This was released a few months after the last Monty Python series was broadcast on tv, and already there is a huge leap in quality. The main difference is the sketches are linked into a loose narrative; King Arthur (Graham Chapman) assembles a band of knights to join his quest for the Holy Grail. This single overarching plot is more satisfying over the length of feature film.

And the gags and situations are better, and funnier, though just as absurd. Ideas in this comedy have broken free into the wider culture. Public figures who back down at the first hint of opposition are taunted with 'brave Sir Robin'. People who obstinately refuse to admit they are beaten are likened to the Black Knight, who won't concede defeat even though his limbs are hacked off.

Most of the best ideas are in the first half, but it sustains itself quite well for such a ludicrous fantasy. There is broad satire, but it's not really political. The anarcho-syndicalist peasant who lambasts King Arthur's right to rule (Ah, now we see the violence inherent in the system!') is a sendup of student politics as much as the iniquity of monarchism...

The film still works because there is knowledge behind the foolery, which spoofs the customs of the middle ages. Personally, the animation is a drag, though part of the Python image. Fortunately there are few songs, though it was turned into a musical. Humour is subjective and some will find this too silly. The majority will laugh their socks off.