Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a comedy film directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones. Both were first-time directors, thus leading to the unique look of the picture.

This film is considered to be one of the greatest comedy films of all time.

The Story (SPOILERS)

King Arthur and his squire, Patsy, travel throughout Britain searching for men to join the Knights of the Round Table.

Due to the low budget of the film, they were unable to afford horses. Instead, they used coconuts (which they “found”).

Arthur and Pasty encounter several trials, including swallow obsessed guards, unruly peasants, and the intense Black Knight.

Assembling the Knights

Arthur recruits several men, including Sir Bedevere the Wise,

Sir Lancelot the Brave,

Sir Galahad the Pure

and Sir Robin, the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir-Lancelot.

Arthur and the men arrive at Camelot, but decide not to go in, referring to it as “a silly place”.

The Hunt for the Grail

God speaks to them and gives the group the task of finding the Holy Grail. Arthur and the knights search, coming across a castle occupied by French soldiers.

They are insulted and turned away, having chickens, geese, filth, and a cow hurled at them. Arthur and the knights separate to search for the grail individually.

A modern-day historian filming a documentary is killed by a random knight on horseback, triggering a police investigation.

Arthur and Sir Bedevere are required to meet the demands of the Knights Who Say Ni.

Sir Robin confronts a Three-Headed Giant and bravely runs away.

Sir Galahad is led to Castle Anthrax, populated by women that desire spanking and oral sex. He is “rescued” by Sir Lancelot.

Lancelot murders a wedding party at a castle that didn’t sink into a swamp.

The Quest Resumed

Arthur and the knights converge again, resuming their quest together. They meet Tim the Enchanter, who directs them to a cave guarded by a deadly rabbit.

After the Rabbit attacks them and kills most of the group, Arthur uses the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch to destroy the creature.

Inside, they evade a giant animated monster and arrive at the Bridge of Death. They are required to answer three questions from the bridge-keeper to pass.

Sir Lancelot, Arthur, and Sir Bedevere survive the riddle and reach the bridge’s end.

Arthur and Bedevere arrive at the Castle of Aarrgh, the location of the grail. They find it occupied by the French, who somehow arrived before them.

After amassing a large army to storm the castle, a large police force shows up, arresting Arthur and the knights for the historian’s death. The film’s production is then shut down by the cops.

Analysis/Review

Monty Python and the Holy Grail isn’t an easy film to review. As with most comedies, the humor is subjective.

That leaves a bulk of the jokes up to personal taste, aging humor, and the tone of dry British reactions. I’ve found that it still tremendously holds up, even with the film being over 40 years old.

This is my favorite comedy (which may change), so I can’t ignore my obvious bias towards it.

Film Notes