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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2016 1:16:30 GMT -5
I agree that Holy Grail is their peak. To be honest, the TV show was really variable in quality even in its time, and most of it has not aged very well, IMHO. I never liked Life of Brian, and the Meaning of Life was just dire - a parade of weak sketches that would never have got past their quality control in earlier years, from a group that had run out ideas.
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Post by berkley on Aug 16, 2016 2:43:56 GMT -5
I voted the show just because that's how I'll always remember seeing them for the first time, but I could easily be persuaded that The Holy Grail and The Life of Brian are each more concentrated samples of their brilliance.
I'll say one thing, I think The Life of Brian is the one that should not but does need more thinking about in the world at large.
Now I think of it I'll say another thing: 3 or 4 years ago I watched The Holy Grail as a local theatre and the audience was sparse, young (except for me), and unresponsive. But maybe it was a bad time of day or week or something.
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Aug 16, 2016 8:36:46 GMT -5
I'll say one thing, I think The Life of Brian is the one that should not but does need more thinking about in the world at large. I've seen it attacked by Conservatives and by Liberals for the things it lampoons, so I fully agree! |
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Post by brutalis on Aug 16, 2016 10:04:32 GMT -5
I'll say one thing, I think The Life of Brian is the one that should not but does need more thinking about in the world at large. I've seen it attacked by Conservatives and by Liberals for the things it lampoons, so I fully agree! I just picked up Life of Brian: the Immaculate Edition (for $3 at BigLots) this weekend and in watching the extra's John Cleese states LoB needs to be and should be remade today if only because of the current social climate. |
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Aug 16, 2016 12:08:19 GMT -5
I've seen it attacked by Conservatives and by Liberals for the things it lampoons, so I fully agree! I just picked up Life of Brian: the Immaculate Edition (for $3 at BigLots) this weekend and in watching the extra's John Cleese states LoB needs to be and should be remade today if only because of the current social climate. Meh... I disagree with Mr. Cleese. When it is not meant as an attack but merely emphasizes some ridiculous aspects of society, satire should not accomodate the dictates of any social climate; otherwise it loses its very reason for being. |
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Post by dupersuper on Aug 16, 2016 21:24:48 GMT -5
I can't decide between Flying Circus and Life of Brian! I'm in Hell!!
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Post by DE Sinclair on Aug 16, 2016 22:13:31 GMT -5
Love, LOVE, LOVE Holy Grail! Used to watch it once a month, if not more, when I was in high school and college. My wife and I still quote it on a regular basis, much to the confusion and consternation of our children, who are both too young to have seen it. Really enjoy Flying Circus (not all of it, but many of the bits are just classic) and can tolerate Life of Brian. Sadly, I tried to watch Meaning of Life a couple of weekends ago and barely got through the first 30 minutes before turning it off, completely bored with it. It has not held up well at all. I love the Holy Grail as well, but I voted Spamalot because it's nearly the same story in many ways, just as a musical.
I saw Meaning of Life again last week on cable, while I was working in the kitchen. Other than the "Sperm" number, it was pretty dire.
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Post by DE Sinclair on Aug 16, 2016 22:14:48 GMT -5
Python really works best when in short sketches. They seemed to take what could be a one joke bit and expand just enough with other insights to making it funny. Love the Dead Parrot and Spanish Inquisition routines. The guys are really intelligent and capable of some quite biting humor along with the silliest skits. John Cleese in particular was great at the physical comedy and the outrage loons. Don't forget the Ministry of Silly Walks. |
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Post by Rob Allen on Aug 17, 2016 12:59:38 GMT -5
September 1974 - Monty Python's Flying Circus debuts on New York's PBS station. I'm a freshman at a college in New Jersey, with a 13-inch black & white TV in my dorm room. I'm a fan of British comedy already, having watched Doctor in the House for several years. I actually forgot to tune in to the Python show the first week or two - it was on at an odd time, Sunday night at 10:30 or so. When I finally do remember to tune in, my laughter attracts the attention of my dorm-mates and soon there's a crowd watching the show. The following week we all watch it again, and in classes that week I hear people quoting the show - I think it was the Spanish Inquisition episode. By Halloween, Python-mania was all over campus. The Social Committee quickly schedules a screening of And Now For Something Completely Different, which seems to be the forgotten Python movie.
So I had to vote for the TV series, although Holy Grail is one of the best movies ever.
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Post by String on Aug 18, 2016 14:35:36 GMT -5
I saw Meaning of Life again last week on cable, while I was working in the kitchen. Other than the "Sperm" number, it was pretty dire.
I've never seen Meaning of Life but recently saw it on a movie channel. I caught it exactly during that 'Sperm' musical number! Never seen anything like it, completely befuddled, mildly shocked yet laughing all the same. Sadly though, I just couldn't bring myself (nor the wife) to watch anymore of it. Had to vote for Holy Grail, so many excellent worthy quotes and scenes throughout. We've seen some of the TV show, highlight clip shows and such, most of which remains funny, some of it a bit confusing but overall still classic. And now for something completely different.... |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 18, 2016 20:41:08 GMT -5
I'm the Life of Brian guy. I just find it hilarious. I like a lot of Flying Circus, but there is definitely some chaff there. And I love the Holy Grail, but Brian works better for me. Same here, there are bits from the Flying Circus that are brilliant but it's a bit uneven while Life of Brian is fantastic all the way through. |
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Post by berkley on Aug 18, 2016 23:50:31 GMT -5
I can't decide between Flying Circus and Life of Brian! I'm in Hell!! - What's your favourite colour? - Blue. No, red! AAAAAAAAAA!!! (I probably mangled it but that was meant to be a quote from a Holy Grail scene) |
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Post by berkley on Aug 19, 2016 0:01:56 GMT -5
September 1974 - Monty Python's Flying Circus debuts on New York's PBS station. I'm a freshman at a college in New Jersey, with a 13-inch black & white TV in my dorm room. I'm a fan of British comedy already, having watched Doctor in the House for several years. I actually forgot to tune in to the Python show the first week or two - it was on at an odd time, Sunday night at 10:30 or so. When I finally do remember to tune in, my laughter attracts the attention of my dorm-mates and soon there's a crowd watching the show. The following week we all watch it again, and in classes that week I hear people quoting the show - I think it was the Spanish Inquisition episode. By Halloween, Python-mania was all over campus. The Social Committee quickly schedules a screening of And Now For Something Completely Different, which seems to be the forgotten Python movie. So I had to vote for the TV series, although Holy Grail is one of the best movies ever. was a compilation of skits from the show wasn't it? If it wasn't, I agree, it would vie for my top spot., along with the show, Grail, and Brian. How about the records and books? There's some great material on the records, in particular, that I think was original - i.e. hadn't been done on the show - someone please correct me if I have that wrong. I had The Life of Brian book, and before that, The Monty Python Bok. I haven't looked at them in years but I remember them as being both really good. The LoB book has the scripts of a few deleted scenes. Bok is much earlier - I think it came out while the show was still on, or not long thereafter - and reflects that stage of their career. The there's the book of the complete scripts from the Monty Python show, which I read through a bout 15 years ago and found worked really well as a book, whether I recalled having viewed the skit I was reading or not. An interesting experience for this Python fan. |
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Post by Phil Maurice on Aug 19, 2016 15:11:57 GMT -5
And Now For Something Completely Different was a compilation of skits from the show wasn't it? Yes, material from the first two seasons of the TV series was re-shot on film without an audience. Apparently, it was intended to introduce American movie-goers to the Pythons. IMO, the format diminishes the material somewhat. It lacks a certain immediacy and energy present in the TV series Yep, that's correct. My favorite Python record, Matching Tie and Handkerchief is a three-sided album; one side was mastered with two sets of concentric grooves. Depending on where you dropped the needle, one of two "sides" would play. The album contains a mix of original material and bits from the TV series. In classic Python style, both sides of the record were labelled "Side 2."  The album was initially offered in men's clothing shops, the conceit being that the record was merely a free gift with the purchase of the tie and handkerchief packaged with it. The multiple levels of confusion make it something of a rarity these days. |
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