Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Killer rabbits, a triple-head giant, shrubbery loving knights. Yep, it’s definitely Monty Python.
Brief Backstory
Monty Python, which can be considered the “Black Sabbath” of comedy, was a famous group of performers that starred in Monty Python’s Flying Circus and set standards for comedy. During the 1970s, several of the few Monty Python movies, Life of Brian and the Meaning of Life broke funny bones all over, but the most famous of them was none other than Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Said to be one of the greatest movies of the 1970s, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is often considered the pinnacle of not just Monty Python but one of the most vital comedies of the decade alongside Animal House and Young Frankenstein.
Story
King Arthur and his knights are on the search for the Holy Grail, which brings dangerous travels including a black knight, a run in with a horde of crazy knights demanding a shrubbery, and a three headed giant.
Random Facts
Almost every medieval game I’ve played (only exceptions are Hexen and Age of Empires II from what I’ve played) had references to this movie littered all over. RuneScape’s got a quest that takes a lot from this movie, and there’s subtle references thrown out like in the party room where you could pay to have knights dance and sing. Even in some non-medieval games like Banjo-Tooie’s Old King Coal don’t hesitate to make a reference.
Random Opinions
Each time I watch this I keep thinking about seeing Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
I know there was a PC game from 1996 involving Monty Python and the Holy Grail (by a defunct North Texas game studio 7th Level, who would also create Howie’s Fun House and G-Nome.) but I keep hoping that one day a full adventure game based on this movie comes out. It just needs to happen.
The structure’s somewhat like Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, only far better in my opinion.
Some of the forest areas remind me of parts of Southern Maryland with all the giant trees. See photos of the western half of Budds Creek (MD 234) road area (west of Chaptico and east of US 301) just northeast of the southern Potomac River Bridge for examples.
Pros
- Do I even need to talk about how good the writing is?
- Tons of memorable scenes, like the black knight fight and the Knights of the Round Table song (which is one of the best non-Disney songs out there).
- Ridiculous threats like a deadly rabbit never fail to make a good day.
- Timeless humor. After nearly 50 years this movie is still almost guaranteed to be funny.
Cons
- Not a big fan of the “spank me” scene. But that’s about it.
Rating: 9.5/10 – Amazing
Of all the medieval movies out there (like Hunchback of Notre Dame and Snow White) this is probably my number one favorite. I prefer this over Monty Python’s other movies.
One response to “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”
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A near-perfect comedy. It could’ve easily earned a 10/10 without an abrupt ending. I consider Dog Day Afternoon as my favorite movie of 1975. My all-time favorite medieval film is Akira Kurosawa’s Ran.
I couldn’t stop laughing over the bridge scene.
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