Rating: 
Summary: Great shows, but poor video quality and combinations
Review: I bow to no one in my devotion to Monty Python, but I do have a few concerns about this set. First, the film quality for "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" is terrible and in dire need of restoration. Second, truth in advertising: only two of four pieces on this set are live, and "Live at Aspen" is more of an interview/retrospective than a performance. The second disc, containing the "Parrot Sketch Not Included" retrospective and Episode 1 of "Monty Pythons Fliegender Zirkus", has nothing live to it at all. Third, one unfortunate result of the selection on these discs is that certain filmed pieces, done for the German episodes and recycled for "Live at the Hollywood Bowl", appear as many as three times in the set, which makes consecutive viewing a bit maddening. Having said that, the first German episode has always been one of my favorites, one I'm glad to have on DVD, and I've enjoyed audio recordings of live Python concerts, so I do like having "Live at the Hollywood Bowl", whatever the quality.
Rating: 
Summary: I loved it but I kid of felt cheated
Review: I loved the whole thing, Live at Aspen, Not Included and even The German Show but I felt that the Live at the Hollywood Bowl featured on it left out some parts. I mean I've never seen it anywhere else but it does seem to jump about like some parts were cut out. I still loved the whole thing but some things were better done on TV like the Silly Walk Sketch and the Socialist Game Show. Live in Aspen was a riot though seeing them all old made me kind of depressed but Micheal Palin aged quite well! Having Graham Chapman "show up" really made me laugh expecially Terry Gilliam's "accident". 20 years of Python was superb but Steve Martin [ticked] me off very badly. He tried too hard to be funny and he failed. Why didn't he just show the sketches? Anyone who actually watched that program probibly wasn't there for stupid Steve Martin. Seeing Graham so sick also made me sad and depressed but not for long because I just went back to the mosquito hunting sketch and laughed and laughed. dear god if you like Monty Python at all buy this DVD set. I don't have stock in A&E really I don't. I just want you to buy it because it is good. really.
Rating:
Summary: A good solid, entertaining Python set
Review: I only give the set 4 stars because the Parrot Sketch Not Included special is terrible. Steve Martin is overly obnoxious as the host. The only thing good thing in it is the last appearance of all the Python troupe. It's a bit sad, Graham Chapman doesn't look well at all. He passed away not long after the 'Not Included' show was produced.
The other stuff is terrific!
Hollywood bowl is great fun. The Hollywood bowl Whizzo Chocolate sketch is far funnier than the TV version. The picture quality does leave something to be desired. However, a good remaster/restoration of a film, both picture & sound, costs hundreds of thousands, even millions, of dollars. The expenditure is justified on something like Star Wars or Lawrence of Arabia or My Fair Lady because the studio can, at the very least, do a limited theatrical re-release of the film and sell enough videos & DVDs to recover costs. I'm sure these Python DVDs aren't selling millions of copies. The less than perfect quality didn't detract from my enjoyment of the show.
The Live at Aspen is terrific fun, too. It's nice to see the surviving Pythons on stage together having a good time. Graham Chapman's 'appearance' on stage is very funny, and a little shocking, too.
The 1st German episode is nice. The subtitles are a bit annoying, but I don't think a version of the show without the ugly subtitles exist. Still, it's nice to have it on DVD, unedited. The only other showing it's had in the US is on Comedy Central. There were some edits there to allow more commercials, though. That broadcast was 5 or 6 years ago and it doesn't look as if it will be shown on TV again soon.
All in all, a good set for the Python fan. If you can get past the imperfect quality of the Hollywood Bowl show & the German episode, and just sit back and laugh, you'll get your money's worth.
Rating:
Summary: not a rip off but not vital...
Review: I'm giving it 4 stars just because it means Hollywood Bowl is on DVD and, although the quality of it isn't stellar, considering how low-fi the original recording of it was, I'm not about to quibble about it. The interview is interesting since I didn't catch it on TV originally and, yes, I even like having "Parrot Sketch Not Included".But it's not vital unless you feel like being a completist. With the exception of the Hollywood Bowl show, it's not even a particularly good introduction to Python. But to spite all that, I like it.
Rating:
Summary: Great comedy but....
Review: It lacks replay value.You watch a few times and then,all of the funny is sucked out the next time.You can watch it about 3 times before you stop laughing.Only half of it is actually live and the live parts aren't even the best.The best part on the entire set is 20 years of Monty Python,which is the greatest of Monty Python's Flying Circus(I really enjoyed "How Not To Be Seen")I was disapointed that only part of the Parrot Sketch is shown,it is shown during Live at Aspen so you know.Alltogether, it is a good compilation for a Pyhon lover,or a comedy lover but,like I said,it lacks replay value.If you like this set, you'll LOVE Search For the Holy Grail because that movie is so funny,you can watch that one over and over and over and laugh.
Rating:
Summary: monty python live 2-disc set WHERE'S THE PARROT SKETCH?
Review: just one complaint but it's a big one. under the blurb on the hollywood bowl it states clearly that the "incomparable parrot sketch" is one performed along with the lumberjack song and the philosophers song. the only reason i bought the set was for the parrot sketch. CAVEAT EMPTOR---THE PARROT SKETCH IS NOT ON EITHER DISC! there is about a 2 minute clip of the parrot sketch included in the aspen part of disc 1. but that is all. terribly disappointed not to have the parrot sketch! but there is a bit in the aspen discussion group involving GRAHAM CHAPMAN'S ASHES that is worth the price of the 2-disc set. i saw it on tv when it initially aired and laughed probably as hard as i did the first time i heard the parrot sketch. when i saw it these 5 years later i was surprised that i laughed just as hard and as long as i did the first time. you have to see it to believe it.
just be aware of what you are and are not getting. would have given it 5 plus stars if the parrot sketch were included.
Rating:
Summary: monty python live 2-disc set WHERE'S THE PARROT SKETCH?
Review: just one complaint but it's a big one. under the blurb on the hollywood bowl it states clearly that the "incomparable parrot sketch" is one performed along with the lumberjack song and the philosophers song. the only reason i bought the set was for the parrot sketch. CAVEAT EMPTOR---THE PARROT SKETCH IS NOT ON EITHER DISC! there is about a 2 minute clip of the parrot sketch included in the aspen part of disc 1. but that is all. terribly disappointed not to have the parrot sketch! but there is a bit in the aspen discussion group involving GRAHAM CHAPMAN'S ASHES that is worth the price of the 2-disc set. i saw it on tv when it initially aired and laughed probably as hard as i did the first time i heard the parrot sketch. when i saw it these 5 years later i was surprised that i laughed just as hard and as long as i did the first time. you have to see it to believe it.
just be aware of what you are and are not getting. would have given it 5 plus stars if the parrot sketch were included.
Rating:
Summary: monty python live 2-disc set WHERE'S THE PARROT SKETCH?
Review: just one complaint but it's a big one. under the blurb on the hollywood bowl it states clearly that the "incomparable parrot sketch" is one performed along with the lumberjack song and the philosophers song. the only reason i bought the set was for the parrot sketch. CAVEAT EMPTOR---THE PARROT SKETCH IS NOT ON EITHER DISC! there is about a 2 minute clip of the parrot sketch included in the aspen part of disc 1. but that is all. terribly disappointed not to have the parrot sketch! but there is a bit in the aspen discussion group involving GRAHAM CHAPMAN'S ASHES that is worth the price of the 2-disc set. i saw it on tv when it initially aired and laughed probably as hard as i did the first time i heard the parrot sketch. when i saw it these 5 years later i was surprised that i laughed just as hard and as long as i did the first time. you have to see it to believe it.
just be aware of what you are and are not getting. would have given it 5 plus stars if the parrot sketch were included.
Rating: 
Summary: Monty Python Live
Review: Monty Python Live DVD is zany, inane and isane. The guys are at their outmost best and their sketches are totally timeless. I love it ...
Rating:
Summary: Even better live!
Review: Monty Python Live must have been such a treat to those lucky people you see at the beginning of the show, anxiously entering the Hollywood Bowl. It is certainly a treat for anyone who watches this DVD at home. The boys revive their classic sketches, from the Lumberjack Song to Sit on My Face to Crunchy Frog, as only they can. In Disc One of this 2 DVD set, the boys are in perfect form, and the live element to this show makes it even more entertaining. They feed off the audience's reactions, and the audience (and you) find themselves reciting every line along with the cast. It is a really fun time! The Aspen special also included on the first DVD is a tribute to the Monty Python cast as significant contributors to the world of comedy. Even the late Graham Chapman makes an appearance...in a funny fake urn...and the rest of the guys have a ball reminiscing about old times and old sketches, yukking it up with the host and the audience. The second DVD includes "20 Years of Python, a compilation special hosted briefly by Steve Martin. It features clips from all of the most famous sketches from the TV series. The second DVD also features a special episode written specially for German/Austrian audiences ("Fliegander Zirkus"). So, if you love Monty Python, if you love comedy, and/or if you're German or Austrian, buy this DVD! You will not regret it!
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