Classic 70s Movie: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”
September is Classic 70s Movie month. Today’s guest post comes from Tim Marriott.
Movie Title: Monty Python And The Holy Grail
Year: 1975
Writers: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
Director: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones
Lead Actors: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
IMDB Plot Summary: King Arthur and his knights embark on a low-budget search for the Grail, encountering many very silly obstacles.
Why I Think This Is A Classic 70’s Movie: The humor begins when the opening credits get hijacked from English to Swedish to attribute Moose Wrangler assignations and includes the sacking of those writers to begin anew in Spanish so that the Llama handlers can receive proper credit evidently after WGA arbitration. Arthur King of the Britons sets out to find like minded knights to associate with at his round table. Accompanied by his trusty serf Patsy who acts as Foley artist and provides hoof beats as they walk via coconut shells. He seeks and finds his men through a series of misadventures which include some of the most timeless skits in comedic history. Which include the taunting by two French soldiers atop a castle; “I fart in your general direction.” The “Bring Out Your Dead” black plague scene; “I’m not dead.” Dennis the politically aware peasant ; “Help, help, I’m being repressed!” The dismemberment of The Black Knight; “All right, we’ll call it a draw.” The Knight’s who say Ni; “Bring us a shrubbery!” And many more bits that launched the careers of the Pythons and influenced a generation of comics worldwide.
After receiving a quest from God on high in a ground breaking animated parting of the heavens sequence the troop sallies forth to more hilarious adventures. Which include the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch used to dispatch a horrendous beast which kills any knight that approaches and turns out to be a bunny with an attitude. “That rabbit’s dynamite.” Without regard to plot, theme, logic or character they interact with and slay a modern day historian commenting on the history of England on camera and are later apprehended by Scotland Yard officials who herd the knights into waiting police cars. The End.
It is a delightful romp that captures the imagination and sets it on fire. The perfect cure for what ails you.
My Favorite Moment In The Movie: The Black Knight scene.
My Favorite Dialogue In The Movie:
Arthur and Patsy "ride" through the village.LARGE MAN
Who's that then?DEAD COLLECTOR
I dunno. Must be a king.LARGE MAN
Why?DEAD COLLECTOR
He hasn't got shit all over him.
Key Things You Should Look For When Watching The Movie: The animated sequence where the band of knights is chased by the Black Beast of Aaarrrggghhh are saved only when the animator Terry Gilliam suffers a heart attack.
Thanks, Tim! To show our gratitude for your guest post, here’s a dash of creative juju for you. Whoosh!
Tim’s Twitter handle: @TimMarriott3.
We already have a set of 80s Movies and 90s Movies. This month, we’re working on 70s Movies.
Thanks to all of you for your participation in this project, creating a resource for writers, movies we should all watch to help learn the craft of screenwriting!