Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Rating:
Summary: The reason DVD exists
Review: Bloody brilliant! Packed with so many extras they needed a second disc! From subtitles for those who don't like the movie to Japanese and Lego versions, plus brand new features, and 24 rarely seen seconds, a fan could easily spend a whole weekend watching nothing else.
Plus the picture quality is so much better...it truly does make Ben Hur look like an Epic.

Rating:
Summary: One of the funniest, silliest, and best films of all time!
Review: After their comedy series sadly left the airwaves, the Monty Pythons decided to venture into the realm of cinema. They only made four movies in total, but these four movies have gone on to be comedy classics. Hardcore Python fans might say that "The Life of Brian" was their best (albeit contraversial) film, but almost any casual Python fan or comedy fan in general will give "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" that title. How this film compares to the other Python films isn't that important, however, because "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" is one of the funniest films ever made and a true comedy classic. And with the Special Edition DVD, we get full exposure to Monty Python's insane movie.

By now, the plot of "Holy Grail" is so well known that it can be quoted off the bat by almost anyone. King Arthur and his legendary Knights of the Round Table (Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Film, etc.) have been charged by God Himself to find the Holy Grail. To find it, they must overcome terrible dangers such as a three-headed knight, Frenchmen with outrageous accents, the dreaded Knights Who Say "Ni!", the virgin women of Castle Anthrax, and so forth.

It's not the plot of "Holy Grail" so much as it is the humor that makes this film a classic. To fully describe Monty Python's humor would do them a great injustice; it is so unique that it would be easy to spot one of their films a mile away amidst a sea of imitators. In "Holy Grail", this uniqueness works so well it's frightening. Plot elements flow smoothly from one to another (despite the fact each plot element is a separate "skit") and the movie as a whole is a cinematic masterpiece. Probably the only gripe I have with this film is the ending, which was a bit anti-climactic, but other than that "Holy Grail" is perfect in every way.

So, we have a great movie on our hands. What about the Special Edition? Let me just say that any fan of "Holy Grail" is missing out on the ultimate experience if they miss this DVD. This Special Edition is packed with extras, including but not limited to: an extra 24 (yes, 24!) seconds of film, a documentary on how the Pythons scouted movie locations, a scene from the movie done entirely in LEGO, an educational video on how to use coconuts, and so much more. There is so much stuff here that it'll keep the Python lover occupied for a long time coming. However, there is a slight glitch in the film that causes subtitles to appear sporadically in the film (I believe they're found in the places marked for the "Follow the Killer Rabbit" feature). While not life-threatening, it can get a little annoying.

Overall, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Special Edition" is worth any fan's time and money. It gives them a chance to own one of the funniest and greatest films ever made, while also offering some insane extras that aren't found anywhere else. Whether "Holy Grail" is the greatest Python film is debatable; whether it's worth owning isn't. Go get it! Now!

Rating:
Summary: Beware The Black Beast of Aargh!!!
Review: This movie is HILARIOUS!!! The pythons have taken one of the world's greatest fairy tails and given it a whole new spin. It tells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in a search for the Holy Grail. But nothing is normal in the world of the pythons. The Knights meet a three-headed guard who argues with himself, and complains of his own bad breath, they meet some French knights who taunt them mercilessly, and best of all, a vicious bunny-rabbit that must be killed with the Holy-Hand-Grenade! This movie is just so fun to watch, I guarantee that you will laugh during every minute!

Rating:
Summary: Best DVD I've had the good fortune to buy!
Review: Not only is MP and the Holy Grail on every movie critic's 10 ten funniest list, but this DVD offers more special features than any DVD I've seen, including TWO different commentary versions featuring different MP cast members. There are so many other hilarious special features, it can take you hours upon hours to explore and appreciate everything this DVD has to offer.

If you haven't seen it, you must. If you've seen it, you need this DVD to get the complete 'picture' of the making of the Holy Grail.

Rating:
Summary: This is it
Review: Okay, let's start with the basics. This is a great movie, one of the best Arthurian works to hit the screen (the other truly great is "Fisher King", but I digress), and you get a nice, clean version of the film. No more murky VHS transfers where you can't see half the film. On top of this it IS "Monty Python & The Holy Grail". If you have not seen this film yet, see it. YESTERDAY!

The bonus features add amusing little bits to the film. One of the important points noted in the mini-documentary on sites, was the the whole film was budgeted for 150,000 Pounds-Sterling; in the end they went horrendously over budget and spent 200,000 Pounds. Imagine making ANY film for that little money nowadays. Then imagine making it as brilliant as this.

MP&THG parodies & taunts the Arthurian legends, Bergman films, police round-ups, historians, anarchists, monarchists, shrubbery, herrings, medieval food & clothing, musicals, and a few other vaguely related sujbects. It is a film that is watchable multiple times (...I should know...); indeed you may HAVE to see it a second time just to catch all the jokes. Then you'll have to watch it again to catch more jokes that you didn't even realize /were/ jokes the first couple times through.

The director(s) commentary (Terrys Jones & Gilliam) is good, but a little too much time is spent on "the history of Monty Python" for my tastes -- I would have liked a little more about the film and a little less about stuff that is available in a couple dozen books and tv interviews. The other commentary track is also uneven, but with spots of true brilliance. Imagine three Pythons deciding to pull the MST3K treatment on their own film and you get the idea. The mini-features on scouting locations, on how to use a cocoanut, the sing-alongs, the Lego-vision (yes, as in Legos, those snap together bricks), and how-to-walk-like-a-monk-hitting-his-head-with-a-board are quite funny.

If you like this movie, get the DVD. If you LOVE this movie, the the Special Editon DVD.

If you don't like it, get a recording of "Nixon in China"...

Rating:
Summary: If it Floats and is Made of Wood, It is a Duck or a Witch
Review: For a British modern comedy troupe from the 1970s, thier films stand the test of time quite well:

A spoof on the Kinghts of the Round Table and Camelot (and every other King Arthur story), THG begins to tickle you right off with the whole 'coconuts instead of horses' issue. This running gag is only a small bit of the film, but you remember it. The same goes for every off-center bit, from the powerful wizard named Tim to the logic by which one determines if a witch is made of wood. Thinking man's humour, this is.

But before I scare off you simpler types, let me add that I've watched this with my 12 year-old nephew and he thought it was hilarious. That's another thing; this film does not warrant an 'R' rating. Doesn't now and certainly didn't back then, which makes me wonder what sort of gits were sitting on the panel of the MPAA at the time (as opposed to the silly twits sitting on it now).

Ah, bugger them all with the Holy Handgrenade of Antioch...

Rating:
Summary: Must-See Movie
Review: this movie is a must-see! It is so hilarious and it will keep you laughing through the wholeee movie! i love it so much that i watch it over and over again. still with the same laughs. the people who created this must be really intelligent to know really how to make someone laugh!

Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies ever made.
Review: This is one of the funniest and best movies ever made. From beginning to end, you'll be laughing as King Arthur is portrayed humorously... This movie has more honest humor, including farm animals being catapulated from a castle. If you like medieval movies or comedy, I highly recommend this funny piece.

Rating:
Summary: A different kind of Classic
Review: This is for the people of the world that love to laugh. Filled to the brim with good old british humor that appeals to us all. Great for young and old - something all will love. If you have seen anything by Monty Pythons and loved it this is the best. Every time I find new laughs and old ones too! The behind the scenes info is great, and almos unbelievable that most of it was filmed all in one castle. And then of course there is the educational film that all must see "How to use your coconuts"! After you pass Coconuts 101 you can sing along with Sir Robin and all your other favorites. A must for any Monty Pythons fan!!

Rating:
Summary: one of the funniest movies, I have ever seen
Review: I was too young to be around to see Monty Python's Flying Circus on tv, and this was the first piece of Pythonism I have seen. Afterwards watching this movie I have become one of the biggest Python fans I know, I have numerous of the sets of MPFC as well as The Meaning of Life, The Holy Grail, And now for something completly diffrent and the life of Brian.