Rating: 
Summary: Most of the best Python sketches are on this disc
Review: The chaps must have been particularly inspired by the muses during the latter half of the first season of the Flying Circus, which makes up the material for these two DVD's. (Episodes 7-13) Almost all of my favourite sketches are on these discs, including Blancmanges Playing Tennis, North Minehead Byelection (with "Mr. Hilter"), Buying a Bed, and, of course, the definitive Dead Parrot Sketch. There is really very little else to say about the material except that if you've never seen Monty Python in its original form, this is the disc to buy, and if you're a fan and can only afford to buy this collection one at a time (like me), this is the one to start off with.The quality is very good - the sound is much clearer than I ever heard on those PBS marathons. Although the discs were produced by A&E, they are the full episodes as they were meant to be seen ("full frontal nudity" and all), not the hatchet jobs they broadcast on their network. Of great use is the subtitle feature - the laugh track is so overbearing it's next to impossible to hear some lines, which the subtitles can rescue for you. Also, if you're not used to British slang, this should help you out as well. The extra features are not great. Mostly they are clips from other episodes - basically little teasers to get you to buy more episodes, I think (and also "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" versions). There are little production tidbits (in the form of text) about each episode, usually explaining the origin of one of the sketches. All-in-all, don't buy the DVD for the extras, buy it for the quality of the video and audio, and the subtitles, if you think they would be useful.
Rating:
Summary: Most of the best Python sketches are on this disc
Review: The chaps must have been particularly inspired by the muses during the latter half of the first season of the Flying Circus, which makes up the material for these two DVD's. (Episodes 7-13) Almost all of my favourite sketches are on these discs, including Blancmanges Playing Tennis, North Minehead Byelection (with "Mr. Hilter"), Buying a Bed, and, of course, the definitive Dead Parrot Sketch. There is really very little else to say about the material except that if you've never seen Monty Python in its original form, this is the disc to buy, and if you're a fan and can only afford to buy this collection one at a time (like me), this is the one to start off with. The quality is very good - the sound is much clearer than I ever heard on those PBS marathons. Although the discs were produced by A&E, they are the full episodes as they were meant to be seen ("full frontal nudity" and all), not the hatchet jobs they broadcast on their network. Of great use is the subtitle feature - the laugh track is so overbearing it's next to impossible to hear some lines, which the subtitles can rescue for you. Also, if you're not used to British slang, this should help you out as well. The extra features are not great. Mostly they are clips from other episodes - basically little teasers to get you to buy more episodes, I think (and also "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" versions). There are little production tidbits (in the form of text) about each episode, usually explaining the origin of one of the sketches. All-in-all, don't buy the DVD for the extras, buy it for the quality of the video and audio, and the subtitles, if you think they would be useful.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Python, crystal clear.
Review: This is an excellent addition to any true blue Python fan's collection. The DVD enhancements are up to the same level as the humor of the series, with the same tongue-in-albatross wit that launched the troupe into history. The classic sketches often are reprised in the Loony Bin to great effect, especially for those who can't get enough Crunchy Frog or Terry Gilliam animation humor. There are many classic sketches in this series that still can ellicit a chuckle, at the very least. The digital clarity only ehances the Python experience.
Rating:
Summary: The Youngest Monty Python Fan
Review: This past Christmas I was blessed to recieve the wonderful "Monty Python's Flying Circus Set 2"... This is the set to start out with for beginning Python fans. It includes some of the best sketches that the Pythons have ever shot out. Although it's a little "Border line" sometimes (If you're more the conservative type like me) it tends to make up for it drastically with hours of hilarious twits and British humor. It's raw enough to keep away from younger viewers (I'd rate this film PG-13) but safe enough (if you've got your finger on the fast forward button) to show to some younger crowds. After I saw this set I've become positively entranced in Monty Python's zany humor. I plan on buying all of the sets of videos in the VERY near future. I think it's the best $... you'll spend.
So I HIGHLY recommend it to ANYONE with a sense of humor. Yours Faithfully,
Brigadeer Smith Smithe Smith
Rating:
Summary: This DVD gets Twit of the Year award
Review: This, the second half of the first season, is I think the best period of "Monty Python's Flying Circus." A vast majority of the best sketches are here ("Lumberjack Song," "Dead Parrot," "Upperclass Twit of the Year," "Albatross," "Pet Conversions," and "Hell's Grannies), along with what I think are the two single best episodes. Episode 8 ("Full Frontal Nudity") and Episode 9 ("The Ant, an Introduction").
The DVD set looks slightly better than the videos released in 1989 by Paramount. The filmed, location sequences look pretty grainy, but that's how they've always looked. With every episode, there is an opprotunity to jump straight to the sketches, or to read a tidbit.
On the extras front, there's a clip from "Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl," scenes from other TV episodes, biographies, Pythonisms, a weblink, trivia games, and the always excellent Gilliamnations art gallery.
Rating:
Summary: The Avangardists Of Modern Humour
Review: To this day, Monty Python remains THE idol and source of inspiration to humourists all around. »Monty Python's Flying Circus« made the group famous, and it is the best ever to come out, not only from Monty Python, not only from Britain... but humour in general! Highlights on this tape: »Man Turns Into Scotsman«, »Dead Parrot«, »Buying A Bed«, »Homicidal Barber«(/»Lumberjack Song«), »Walk-On Part In Sketch«, »Agatha Christie Sketch«, »'Spectrum' - Talking About Things« and »Ken Shabby«. Own it!
Rating: 
Summary: Python is great, this set isn't so much ...
Review: While Monty Python's Flying Circus is defiently one of the funniest comedy troupes to come out of the 20th Century, and this set is well worth buying, I would warn those of you who aren't die-hard fans that, of the four DVD sets out right now, this one is probably the least funny. The Pythoners were apparently rushed as they wrapped up their first season of shows (some of these episodes were recorded only a week before airing!), and the humor in these DVDs, particularly the last three episodes, on DVD 4--are far from prime Python. Still, there's "Upperclass Twit of the Year" and "Albatross" and enough others to make it worthwhile!
Rating:
Summary: "Do you want to come back to my place?"
Review: You might have noticed my first extensive and overly detailed review for DVD set 1 (episodes 1-6) where I listed all of the individual sketches you will get on that set. Well, if you haven't, then go bloody well check it out then, you twit! (nothing personal) Anyway, this is a review just like the previous one - overlong and tediously informative. Again, I won't waste time on reviews of the material - You know it's extremely silly! DVD SET 2(episodes 7-13) Disc 1(or 3) consists of: Camel spotting/You're no fun anymore/The Audit/Science Fiction Sketch/Man turns into Scotsman/Police Station/Blancmanges playing tennis/Army protection racket/Art critic-the place of the nude/Buying a bed/Hermits/DEAD PARROT/The Flasher/HELL'S GRANNIES/Llamas/A man with a tape recorder up his nose/Kilimanjaro expedition/A man with a tape recorder up his brother's nose/Homicidal barber/LUMBERJACK SONG/Gumby crooner/The refreshment room at Bletchley/Hunting film/The Visitors Disc 2 (or 4) is sillified with: Walk-on part in sketch/Bank robber in Lingerie shop/It's a tree/Vocational guidance counselor/Ron Obvious/Tunneling from Godalming to Java/Pet Conversions/ Gorilla librarian/Letters to "Daily Mirror"/Strangers in the night/Lavatorial humour/Interruptions/Agatha Christie/Undertakers film/Jimmy Buzzard interview/Interesting people/Eighteenth Century social legislation/Battle of Trafalgar/Battle of Pearl Harbour/Falling from building/"Spectrum" - talking about things/Visitors from coventry/Mr. Hitler/Silly voices at the police station/Upperclass twit of the year/Ken Shabby/How far can a minister fall?/Restaurant abuse/Advertisements/Albatross/Come back to my place?/Me Doctor/Historical Impersonations/Quiz programme on "Wishes"/"Probe Around" on crime/Mr. Atilla the Hun/Psychiatry/Operating Theatre These are the sketches accessible through the menus on the DVDs themselves, so if you notice a sketch not listed...well, then your a complete geek. This set also contains extras like: Meet the chaps, Pythonisms, Gillianimations, Lumberjack and Albatross Live!, Trivial Quest, and Talent show!
Rating:
Summary: "Oh, you're no fun anymore!"
Review: You might have noticed my first extensive and overly detailed review for DVD set 1 (episodes 1-6) where I listed all of the individual sketches you will get on that set. Well, if you haven't, then go bloody well check it out then, you twit! (nothing personal) Anyway, this is a review just like the previous one - overlong and tediously informative. Again, I won't waste time on reviews of the material - You know it's extremely silly! DVD SET 2(episodes 7-13) Disc 1(or 3) consists of: Camel spotting/You're no fun anymore/The Audit/Science Fiction Sketch/Man turns into Scotsman/Police Station/Blancmanges playing tennis/Army protection racket/Art critic-the place of the nude/Buying a bed/Hermits/DEAD PARROT/The Flasher/HELL'S GRANNIES/Llamas/A man with a tape recorder up his nose/Kilimanjaro expedition/A man with a tape recorder up his brother's nose/Homicidal barber/LUMBERJACK SONG/Gumby crooner/The refreshment room at Bletchley/Hunting film/The Visitors Disc 2 (or 4) is sillified with: Walk-on part in sketch/Bank robber in Lingerie shop/It's a tree/Vocational guidance counselor/Ron Obvious/Tunneling from Godalming to Java/Pet Conversions/ Gorilla librarian/Letters to "Daily Mirror"/Strangers in the night/Lavatorial humour/Interruptions/Agatha Christie/Undertakers film/Jimmy Buzzard interview/Interesting people/Eighteenth Century social legislation/Battle of Trafalgar/Battle of Pearl Harbour/Falling from building/"Spectrum" - talking about things/Visitors from coventry/Mr. Hitler/Silly voices at the police station/Upperclass twit of the year/Ken Shabby/How far can a minister fall?/Restaurant abuse/Advertisements/Albatross/Come back to my place?/Me Doctor/Historical Impersonations/Quiz programme on "Wishes"/"Probe Around" on crime/Mr. Atilla the Hun/Psychiatry/Operating Theatre These are the sketches accessible through the menus on the DVDs themselves, so if you notice a sketch not listed...well, then your a complete geek. This set also contains extras like: Meet the chaps, Pythonisms, Gillianimations, Lumberjack and Albatross Live!, Trivial Quest, and Talent show!
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