Rating of
2.5/4
Monty Python and the Holy Grail review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 07/27/11
In watching comedies one has to factor in the humor injected. Is it slapstick, based on dialogue, gestures, set pieces or wardrobe (or lack thereof) used? You get all of these with Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Even before the film starts, you see the unique wit used by the director with regards to the use of subtitles. The people responsible were sacked, and for those responsible for sacking have been sacked. Starting with the end credits was another distinctive idea. The films had many uproarious moments: The Black Knight (John Cleese) slaughtered by King Arthur (Graham Chapman), he mentioned that “it’s only a flesh wound” after his arms have been cut off. Prince Herbert (Terry Jones) thought that his father was talking about the curtains, in spite of the lands he was pointing at. The “Killer Rabbit” and the Death Bridge scenes were clever. Another would be when Sir Galahad was led to Castle Anthrax with the seductive women who “claim to be Doctors and know what they were doing.” These are only a few very funny scenes I can recall.
Classic quotes that really made me laugh:
King of Swamp Castle: Look, it's quite simple. You just stay here, and make sure he doesn't leave the room. All right? [Guard #2 hiccups]
Guard #1: Oh, I remember, uh, can he leave the room with us?
King of Swamp Castle: No, no, no, no, you just keep him in here, and make sure...
Guard #1: Oh yeah, we'll keep him in here, obviously, but if he had to leave, and we were with him...
Dingo: You must spank her well, and after you are done with her, you may deal with her as you like... and then... spank me.
All: And me. And me too. And me.
Sir Lancelot: Yes, you were. You were in terrible peril.
Sir Galahad: Look, let me go back in there and face the peril.
Sir Lancelot: No, it's too perilous.
Sir Galahad: Look, it's my duty as a knight to sample as much peril as I can.
Now the downside in my opinion, the lousy acting, perplexing story/plot and the untimely ending nearly destroyed it. Only these reasons made me decide of not giving it a perfect score. Could have they done it any other way if they had the budget or time? We may never know, their purpose was clear and that was to entertain. It was ahead of its time, probably the precursor for spoof films like Scary Movie, Epic Movie, Meet the Spartans, and many more. At least these had some intellectual dialogue, though some scenes were a bit dry, and they were still pioneers of this medium. The mixture of animation (much like South Park and Yellow Submarine) was also original for its time. You can also find a bit of musical acts. The sums of its parts were hilarious, as a whole you felt a lot missing. Still, most comedies don't need stars or terrific actors, just those who can perform and deliver the lines. Story sometimes isn't relevant since you remember the hysterical moments. If it were shown today critics would bash it, in that era, they were well ahead. Yes Monty Python and the Holy Grail was funny, overall it was good to make us forget our problems.
