Editing Monty Python (section)

====''Monty Python and the Holy Grail'' (1975)====
{{Main|Monty Python and the Holy Grail}}

[[File:EMP Seattle (26120000225).jpg|thumb|190px|Soldier's helmet from ''Monty Python and the Holy Grail'' at the [[Museum of Pop Culture]], Seattle]]
In 1974, between production on the third and fourth series, the group decided to embark on their first "proper" feature film, containing entirely new material. ''[[Monty Python and the Holy Grail]]'' was based on [[King Arthur|Arthurian legend]] and was directed by Jones and Gilliam. Again, the latter also contributed linking animations (and put together the opening credits). Along with the rest of the Pythons, Jones and Gilliam performed several roles in the film, but Chapman took the lead as King Arthur. Cleese returned to the group for the film, feeling that they were once again breaking new ground. ''Holy Grail'' was filmed on location, in picturesque rural areas of Scotland, with a budget of only £229,000; the money was raised in part with investments from rock groups such as [[Pink Floyd]], [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]], and [[Led Zeppelin]], as well as UK music industry entrepreneur [[Tony Stratton Smith]] (founder and owner of the [[Charisma Records]] label, for which the Pythons recorded their comedy albums).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2009/05/06/cue-the-coconuts-holy-grail-gallops-on/|title=Cue the coconuts: 'Holy Grail' gallops on|last=Johnson|first=Steve|date=6 May 2009|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref>

The backers of the film wanted to cut the famous [[Black Knight (Monty Python)|Black Knight]] scene (a [[Sam Peckinpah]] send-up in which the Black Knight loses his limbs in a duel), but it was eventually kept in the film.<ref>Interview with John Cleese on Q-The Podcast with host John Ghomeshi, on 16 July 2009</ref> "Tis but a scratch" and "It's just a flesh wound…" are often quoted.<ref name="Python quotes">{{cite news |title=49 of Monty Python's most absurdly funny jokes and quotes |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/read-this/49-of-monty-pythons-most-absurdly-funny-jokes-and-quotes/ |access-date=18 August 2019 |work=Yorkshire Post |archive-date=18 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818192829/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/read-this/49-of-monty-pythons-most-absurdly-funny-jokes-and-quotes/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Holy Grail'' was selected as the second-best comedy of all time in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] special ''Best in Film: The Greatest Movies of Our Time''. and viewers in a [[Channel 4]] poll placed it sixth.<ref name="Channel4 comedies"/>