If you are new to Python they were revolutionary satirical 40 years ago. Their mad, innovative style was ground breaking. Now, seen after so much comedy revolution, they are dated, the acting is poor, the direction worse, the ending just irritating but the material often good fun and very silly. If however you are not new to Python you are probably hoping to watch this for the 3rd time and you don't need a review. The awesome silliness is rarely surpassed especially now the BBC have destroyed Spike Milligan's output. In my opinion the best sketch is the guard who continues to fight despite the increasing loss of limbs.
This was obviously funny in its time but I found myself yawning during the opening credits - not a good sign. It didn't get much better than that. The Pythons were incredibly inventive and some of their sketches stand the test of time but I do not believe that this film has aged well - despite some neat touches, the humour was rather tedious.
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.