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Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Collector's Edition Boxed Set)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Collector's Edition Boxed Set)

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: History Has Never Been This Much Fun!
Review: From the trumpet flourish at the beginning of the film, followed by the approach of Arthur galloping on foot with the sounds of coconuts being smacking against one another by his minstrel, to the climactic finish of the film, when the Knights of Camelot are seized while attacking a French Castle for actions against a news commentator earlier in the film, has history been so humorously re-"created" as it has been in this brilliantly funny film by the British Troupe of comedic actors known affectionately by fans world wide as "Monty Python".

"Monty Python and the Holy Grail" is a tongue-in-cheek look at the lore surrounding the Arthurian Legend and his quest for the Holy Grail. The film pulls no punches, taking jabs at everything from the political strife between the French and the British, the Catholic Church, the Inquisition, the British Aristocracy and just about every legend and myth surrounding King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable.

When Arthur (Graham Chapman) is approached by God to discover the secret resting place of the Holy Grail, he at once sets out on a quest to find it, picking up his entourage of knights along the way: Sir Lancelot the Brave (John Cleese), Sir Launcelot (Eric Idle), Sir Bedevere (Terry Jones), and Sir Galahad the Pure (Michael Palin).

While on their quests, each face a variety of hilarious challenges, including the construction of a Trojan Rabbit, the approach of Castle Anthrax with the multidle of Vestial Virgins,
the rabbit with "big, pointy, teeth", and of course, the Knights who say "Ni".

Originally filmed in 1975, the movie has become a cult-classic, and a favorite for many generations of Monty Python enthusiasts. Considered by many to be their most successful feature film, the Holy Grail relies on a careful combination of slapstick humor combined with clever writing and high-brow British wit. Though some of the humor relates to the period the film was shot, most of it transcends any generation, poking fun at history with an originality and absurdity that is funny and entertaining.

Make sure to pay close attention to the many characters throughout the film, for many of the "Python" principals play more than one character. In many instances, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones can be seen carrying on conversations with themselves. Its one of the many hilarious twists that the Monty Pyhton troupe use in their films.

This is a great film for anyone who has yawned their way through a world history class in high-school or college. It brings a slanted and hilarious version of history to life in a way that only the men of Monty Python can.

-Scott Kolecki

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Nothing is in any way off limits of their humour
Review: No one can appreciate such a film, such a grotesque and even clownish film, if they do not understand British humour. Everything is systematically put upside down. You will not laugh your head off, and yet everything is funny, but mostly funny strange or funny just plain silly rather than funny AhAh. Every scene is an allusion to an element that comes from English culture or from standard films on or around Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and it is made silly in a way or another. The creativity of Monty Python is immense and probably bottomless, that's why you can't spank him really. It is never gross and yet it is not far from it. And the funniest part is of course the deep anti-French humour that nearly opens and closes the film. Only the French can pour s**t on the head of a crowned English king. But they do. Monty Python also likes anachronisms and does not hesitate to bring some real modern cops into his picture and they even arrest the crowned King Arthur and make him climb into the black maria. No problem for that humorist. And the cops even block the camera, though they do not destroy the film. Some might say that they could have done that to save us an hour and a half of s**t, but that would be unfair because after all there is something fascinating in such exaggerated and overblown humour. Nothing is sacred with them and that may revive your self-criticism to see such ridiculing of what is considered as everyday banality.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Inversion of the Cup of Life
Review: Sounds like a fine mockumentary for the bored and useless.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: So funny, your head will explode (in a good way)
Review: After making a film version of their best Flying Circus bits (And Now For Something Completely Different), the Pythons wanted to make an original movie. They realized that the quest for the Holy Grail would lend itself nicely to a series of sketches focusing on each knight. For a climax, they planned on sending the knights into Herrods department store to buy the grail (because, after all, Herrods sells everything).

But somewhere along the way, this collection of medieval skits became one of the best comedies ever made. You could credit the use of authentic sets and costumes. For some reason, making the movie historically accurate makes it funnier. Or you could credit the way they used their painfully low budget --- like using different sides of a castle to represent multiple castles in the story. If you notice it, you get an extra laugh. Or you could credit the use of two directors, forcing everyone to get it right the first time to avoid two sets of solutions to every problem.

Whatever the reason, Monty Python and the Holy Grail holds up as one of the best comedies ever filmed. It still looks cheesy, but in a good way. The plot is full of nice big holes, too. Every time you see it, you notice something new and miss something you've memorized. The jokes don't wait for a laugh track. It's just one strange punchline after another.

For the special edition of the DVD, the five living Pythons put together a handful of extra bits. The best extras are the audio tracks. You hear the directors talk about set design, John Cleese complains about being wet and cold, and Michael Palin explains why everything is funny. The documentary in which the two Terrys (the directors) visit the old filming locations is fun, too. They still have their sense of humor about it all. If you like to laugh, you should buy this DVD and watch it over and over until you've memorized every line. If you don't like to laugh, you are a very strange person.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Hilarious, but had to give 4 Stars because
Review: I couldn't really understand what they were saying. Their accents were very heavy. I reccomend putting on subtitles. And the ending confused me. But other than that, this movie what down-right hilarious. The french man in the castle and the Ni! guys were funny. There was so much in the movie that was funny that I couldn't even list here. All's I can say is buy and watch (with subtitles!) and wait until you fall over laughing :D :D.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Would that I could give it 6 stars
Review: This is easily the funniest movie I've ever seen. The opening credits alone are funnier than most 'comedies' and DVD makes it easy to make sure you don't miss any of them. This will be the third time I've bought the Grail on DVD, so to whichever relative 'walked off' with the previous ones, HA! This doesn't merely have the bonus 24 seconds, it is loaded with goodies. You can't really compare this with much of modern comedy since there is almost no scatological 'humor' like Austin Powers or Dumb and Dumber, but it still finds ways to tweak noses and offend sensibilities. It's also a bit irreverent but that's very minor compared to other films, just be warned if this offends you.

Overall, this is a very silly show. Even if you aren't in a silly mood when you sit down to watch it, that will change in under a minute. It's somewhat comparable to Airplane and Naked Gun, since the jokes are rapid-fire at times and off-the-wall. Watch it with friends and I guarantee you'll be repeating bits of hilarious dialogue to each other for months.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I never would have thought that stupid french peeple were so
Review: Before i saw this movie i thought it was going to be the stupidest moovee ever, i thought it wuz gunna really suk. After i saw it that all changed, it was so funny, i was laghing so hard i had to change my pants about sever times. this movie is filled with the best stupid humor ever, even better and more stupid than dumb and dumber. if you are one of those people that doesn't watch funny movies, u better make an exeption for this one. this movie really moved me, it filled a very special playce in my heart.the best line in the movie changed my life fore ever, that line was the only line i said in 14 months untill my brother beat me in the head with a fish untill i forgot the line. THIS MOOVEE WUZ A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent Collector's Set, Excellent DVD
Review: This review is about the Collector's set specifically. If you already have the Special Edition DVD you already have the exact same 2 discs that come with this set, but if you want to have it all then this is the set to get. It includes a collectible film cell, a small booklet containing the transcript of the movie, and a nifty book like case. The extra features on these disc are outstanding (again, the same features you get with the SE DVD); the animated menus are hilarious and I especially like the lego rendition of the Camelot song.

The one thing about the collector's set that's kind of annoying, they have only one peg to put the DVDs onto so one of your DVDs is put directly on top of the other one. The top disc tends to fall off the peg and could potentially get scratched in shipment (like my first one did before I exchanged it); also when you securely fasten the discs they can be kinda hard to take out. Just an annoyance but probably the only way they could've put the discs in this kind of book like case. Overall, a great gift or personal purchase if your a fan and want to get the definitive set with collectible extras.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
Review: Monty Python and the Holy Grail, probably one of the top five funniest movies ever, now on a special edition DVD. This movie only appeals to those who enjoy British humor, not the typical American punch-line humor. Most of the jokes are hidden, like the discussion of coconuts and swallows at the castle wall, then a few scenes later showing Sir Bedevere tying a coconut to a swallow.

There is a six man cast, just like the other movies made by the Monty Python crew, films such as The Meaning of Life and The Life of Brian. Everything about this movie is hilarious and nothing should ever change about it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Speaking of swallows...
Review: Hurrah! Hooray! The greatest, funniest film of all time! I must say, to me the movie looked boring and, well...stupid when I first heard about it. But then I watched it, and was instantly converted.

If you have never seen any Monty Python productions (which I hadn't, when I first watched this movie) then you're in for a humorous surprise. What other company could come up with such wonderful songs as "Bravely Bold Sir Robin"? What other company could create a Trojan Jackrabbit and the famous Killer Rabbit? And to those who don't like the ending - it's Monty Python! What else did you expect?

Anyway, if you love movies that can laugh at themselves, and films that purposefully appear cheap and low budget for their own amusement, you'll LOVE Monty Python and the Holy Grail!


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