It's not Grail shaped, but it's worth it anyway! (Monty Python and the Holy Grail (2 DVDs))

Member Name: GuruOnAMountain

Product:	Monty Python and the Holy Grail (2 DVDs)
Date:	08/08/04 (132 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Hilariously funny!, Great Special Features., Very good value for money.

Disadvantages: The ending.

Now you know how it is. Sometimes on your way to Camelot, you get a wee bit distracted when God pokes his head out from between some fluffy clouds and asks you to run an errand for him. No? That?s never happened to you before? Oh well, not to worry because that?s exactly what happens to Arthur and his knights in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

We watch the gallant crew meander through Medieval England on the search for the Holy Grail, getting caught up in all sorts of unfortunate incidents along the way. For instance, Sir Galahad the Chaiste finds himself held captive in Castle Anthrax with ?four score young blonds and brunettes?, and a ?Trojan rabbit? trick goes horribly wrong. Of course, this is Monty Python so expect a great deal of side-splittingly hilarious nonsense and idiotic behaviour, although real fans of the legends of Arthur might blanche at the mere thought of it.

Having, unfortunately, missed the whole Monty Python scene by a couple of decades, I did fall in love with A Life of Brian, and couldn?t quite resist buying Monty Python and The Holy Grail when I spied it in ASDA. It only cost £9.99 for a 2 disc DVD, and the cover was resplendent with the immediately recognisable Monty Python artwork, as well as some small flying farm animals (watch the film?you?ll understand)! It had the relatively amusing tagline of ?Makes Ben Hur look like an epic? at the bottom of the cover in small, red lettering, and is a 15 certificate.

So there I was, in the middle of ASDA, salivating at the mouth and wondering if I really should spend that £10 that was burning a hole in my purse that I?d meant to put in the bank last week. Finally, the decision was reached. It?s Monty Python,
you know, and even my bank manager would understand that you have to make some sacrifices for classic comedy.

I?d watched the film before, but was dying to relieve my experience of it and, of course, get through all the special features, so I scuttled off home and stuck it in my DVD player. I really can?t find fault with this film. I mean, of course it?s just glorious daftness, but it?s just perfect, although I will admit that the ending is somewhat disappointing. However, the anti-climax of the ending is somewhat amusing in and of itself.

However, you have to give credit where credit's due and I think I have to point out the acting is noteworthy. After all, it must be difficult to keep a straight face when reciting lines and prentending to control an invisible horse while someone bangs coconut shells together beside your ear.

As for the special features, they are fantastic! They are probably some of the best that I?ve ever encountered on DVD before. There is the almost expected commentary that appears on most DVDs hosted by the Pythons themselves which is quite interesting and amusing, but there are also a few typical Python touches of genius among the special features, such as 3 singalongs, subtitles for people who don?t like the film and Monty Python and the Holy Grail in Lego. I seriously thought I was going to wet my pants with laughter while watching the Lego men perform the ?We?re Knights of the Round Table? song. Fabulous!

But that?s not all?oh no! There is a typically daft ?documentary? on How to Use Your Coconuts, and a short documentary of the filming of the movie made by the BBC, on-screen screenplay, an interactive cast thing-a-ma-jig and a follow the killer rabbit feature (where a rabbit pops up on your screen from time to time
, allowing you to click on him and be transported to a little bit of information about the film before returning to the movie). There?s even more, but I think I?ve mentioned all the best bits.

Phew!

Monty Python are unspeakably funny, and I think it?d be hard for anyone to watch this movie the whole way through while keeping a straight face. It?s definitely worth buying this DVD, and for just short of ten of our British pounds (well, at least if you shop in ASDA) you can find yourself having hours of entertainment?the Sing-Along alone should keep you going for a few weeks!

This is a must have DVD for anyone with a funny bone!

Summary: