Monty Python and the Holy Grail

$45.34

Hot Factor: 2

Directed by
Terry Gilliam
Terry Jones

Writing credits
Graham Chapman
John Cleese

Graham Chapman .... King Arthur, + minor roles

John Cleese .... Sir Launcelot, + minor roles

Eric Idle .... Sir Robin, + minor roles

Terry Gilliam .... Old Man from Scene 24, + Patsy

Terry Jones .... Sir Bedevere, + minor roles

Michael Palin .... Sir Galahad/Dennis/Various roles

Connie Booth … The Witch

Carol Cleveland .... Zoot and Dingo

      This is a historical drama based on the account of King Arthur's quest for the Holy Grail. Although they took some artistic license and did not always stick to the story, it is still a profound look at the human condition. The Monty Python acting troupe focus more on the relationships between characters, rather than the events. For example, we have the struggle of King Arthur and his French taunters. The movie casts an honest eye on the French and their real intentions in mocking Arthur. Misleading him in his quest, they represent the dishonest propaganda of America. What is the meaning of the French obsession with launching farm animals? These are questions this movie we have often pondered ourselves, and this movie explores them thoroughly, while letting the viewer figure it out for himself. Other relationships are between the unknowingly tyrannical ruler and his rebellious peasants.
     In fact, animals are a recurring theme in this movie. In the climax of King Arthur's quest, he battles an estranged rabbit bent on bloodshed. In another scene, they attempt to replicate the Greek success in Troy by building a wooden badger. This fails miserably. They seem to be using the animal, the badger, as a scapegoat for their own mistakes. Throughout the movie, all the animals are portrayed in this negative light. What message is Monty Python trying to send by doing this?
     They message they are sending, of course, is that we should let go of our animalistic, or primal, greedy desires for money, power, and sex. We should shed ourselves of these supposedly dirty and evil ways, for they will surely fail us, as did the badger. They will bring death and devastation to our race as higher beings, as did the killer rabbit. Whether you agree with this does not change the fact that this a thought-provoking movie that identifies the fundamental question of human existence.