Editing Monty Python (section)

===Filmography===

====''And Now for Something Completely Different'' (1971)====
{{Main|And Now for Something Completely Different}}
The Pythons' first feature film was directed by [[Ian MacNaughton]], reprising his role from the television series. It consisted of sketches from the first two seasons of the ''Flying Circus'', reshot on a low budget (and often slightly edited) for cinema release. Material selected for the film includes: "Dead Parrot", "The Lumberjack Song", "Upper Class Twit of the Year", "Hell's Grannies"<!-- DON'T WIKILINK – It's JUST A REDIRECT TO THE MP TELEVISION SHOW -->, "Self-Defence Class", "[[How Not to Be Seen]]", and "Nudge Nudge".<ref name="Five films">{{cite news |title=Monty Python films: rank them from best to worst |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jun/04/monty-python-films-movies-best-to-worst-cleese-jones-gilliam-idle |access-date=19 August 2019 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Financed by ''[[Playboy]]''{{'}}s UK executive [[Victor Lownes]], it was intended as a way of breaking Monty Python into America, and although it was ultimately unsuccessful in this,<ref name="Collin">{{cite news |last1=Collin |first1=Robbie |title=Monty Python reunion: no one else has the nerve to do what Python do |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/comedy/comedy-news/10459076/Monty-Python-reunion-no-one-else-has-the-nerve-to-do-what-Python-do.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/comedy/comedy-news/10459076/Monty-Python-reunion-no-one-else-has-the-nerve-to-do-what-Python-do.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=19 August 2019 |work=The Telegraph |date=21 November 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> the film did good business in the UK, and later in the US on the "[[Midnight movie]]" circuit after their breakthrough television and film success, this being in the era before home video would make the original material much more accessible. The group did not consider the film a success.

====''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"/>

====''Monty Python's Life of Brian'' (1979)====
{{Main|Monty Python's Life of Brian}}
Following the success of ''Holy Grail'', reporters asked for the title of the next Python film, though the team had not even begun to consider a third one. Eventually, Idle flippantly replied "Jesus Christ – Lust for Glory", which became the group's stock answer to such questions.<ref>{{cite news |title=How we made Monty Python's Life of Brian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/apr/16/how-we-made-monty-python-life-of-brian-michael-palin-terry-gilliam |access-date=25 August 2019 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> However, they soon began to seriously consider a film lampooning the [[New Testament]] era in the same way ''Holy Grail'' had lampooned Arthurian legend. Despite sharing a distrust of organised religion, they agreed not to mock Jesus or his teachings directly. They also mentioned that they could not think of anything legitimate to make fun of about him.<ref name="theologian"/> Instead, they decided to write a satire on credulity and hypocrisy among the followers of someone [Brian] who had been mistaken for the "Messiah", but who had no desire to be followed as such.<ref name="TJones"/> Terry Jones adds it was a satire on those who for the next 2,000 years "couldn't agree on what Jesus was saying about peace and love".<ref name="TJones"/>

{{quote box|width=30%|bgcolor=#c6dbf7|align=right|quote="We are three wise men."<br />
"Well, what are you doing creeping around a cow shed at two o'clock in the morning? That doesn't sound very wise to me."|source=—Early scene from ''Life of Brian''.<ref name="Python quotes"/>}}
The focus therefore shifted to a separate individual, Brian Cohen, born at the same time, and in a neighbouring stable. When Jesus appears in the film (first, as a baby in the stable, and then later on [[Mount of Olives|the Mount]], speaking the [[Beatitudes]]), he is played straight (by actor [[Kenneth Colley]]) and portrayed with respect. The comedy begins when members of the crowd mishear his statements of peace, love, and tolerance ("I think he said, 'Blessed are the cheesemakers{{'"}}).<ref name="theologian">{{cite news |title=Monty Python's Life of Brian 'extraordinary tribute to Jesus', says theologian decorated by Pope Francis |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10543149/Monty-Pythons-Life-of-Brian-extraordinary-tribute-to-Jesus-says-theologian-decorated-by-Pope-Francis.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10543149/Monty-Pythons-Life-of-Brian-extraordinary-tribute-to-Jesus-says-theologian-decorated-by-Pope-Francis.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=21 August 2019 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Directing duties were handled solely by Jones, having amicably agreed with Gilliam that Jones' approach to film-making was better suited for Python's general performing style. ''Holy Grail's'' production had often been stilted by their differences behind the camera. Gilliam again contributed two animated sequences (one being the opening credits) and took charge of set design. The film was shot on location in [[Tunisia]], the finances being provided this time by [[The Beatles]]' [[George Harrison]], who together with [[Denis O'Brien (producer)|Denis O'Brien]] formed the production company [[HandMade Films|Hand-Made Films]] for the movie.<ref name="Harrison"/> Harrison had a cameo role as the "owner of the Mount".<ref name="Harrison">{{cite news |last1=Barber |first1=Nicholas |title=How George Harrison – and a very naughty boy – saved British cinema |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/apr/03/george-harrison-beatle-monty-python-life-of-brian-handmade-studios |access-date=25 June 2019 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 April 2019}}</ref>

Despite its subject matter attracting controversy, particularly upon its initial release, it has (together with its predecessor) been ranked among the greatest comedy films.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/948331.stm "Life of Brian tops comedy poll"]. BBC News. Retrieved 18 August 2019</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,,2131880,00.html | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=The last laugh: your favourite 50 | first=Philip | last=French | date=22 July 2007 | access-date=2 May 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080707124543/http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,,2131880,00.html | archive-date=7 July 2008 | url-status=live |quote=1. Life of Brian. 8. Monty Python and the Holy Grail}}</ref> In 2006, it was ranked first on a Channel 4 list of the [[100 Greatest (TV series)|50 Greatest Comedy Films]].<ref name="Channel4 comedies">{{Cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/microsites/G/greatest-comedyfilms/results/10-6.html|title=50 Greatest Comedy Films|year=2005|publisher=[[Channel 4]]|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060415140210/http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/microsites/G/greatest-comedyfilms/results/10-6.html|archive-date=15 April 2006|url-status=dead|access-date=31 May 2019|quote=1. ''Monty Python's Life of Brian''. 6. ''Monty Python And The Holy Grail''.}}</ref> ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine called it "an unrivalled satire on religion".<ref>{{cite news |title=The 100 best British films |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/100britishfilms/ |access-date=26 November 2023|work=Empire}}</ref> In 2013, [[Richard Burridge (priest)|Richard Burridge]], a theologian decorated by Pope Francis, called ''Life of Brian'' an "extraordinary tribute to the life and work and teaching of Jesus—that they couldn't actually blaspheme or make a joke out of it. They did a great satire on closed minds and people who follow blindly. Then you have them splitting into factions...it is a wonderful satire on the way that Jesus's own teaching has been used to [[Religious persecution|persecute]] others. They were satirising [[fundamentalism]] and persecution of others and at the same time saying the one person who rises above all this was Jesus".<ref name="theologian"/>

====''Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl'' (1982)====
{{Main|Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl}}
Monty Python performed four consecutive dates at the [[Hollywood Bowl]] in Los Angeles in September 1980 during preparations for ''Meaning of Life''. The performances were filmed and released in the concert film, ''Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl'' (directed by [[Terry Hughes (film director)|Terry Hughes]]), with the Pythons performing sketches from the television series in front of an audience.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/25/movies/python-in-hollywood.html|title='Python in Hollywood|date=25 June 1982|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> The released film also incorporated footage from the German television specials (the inclusion of which gives Ian MacNaughton his first on-screen credit for Python since the end of ''Flying Circus'') and live performances of several songs from the troupe's then-current ''[[Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1980/BB-1980-10-11.pdf|title=Review: Monty Python – Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=11 October 1980|access-date=28 April 2022|volume=85|number=41|page=70|via=American Radio History|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> Monty Python's four-night stint as headliners at the Hollywood Bowl set a record for a comedy act at the venue; it has since been equalled by [[Dave Chappelle]] in May 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gregory |first1=John |last2=staff |first2=ABC7 com |date=4 May 2022 |title=Dave Chappelle attacked: Video shows moment suspect tackles comedian at Hollywood Bowl |url=https://abc7.com/dave-chappelle-attacked-tackled-hollywood-bowl/11817178/ |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=ABC7 Los Angeles |language=en}}</ref>

====''Monty Python's The Meaning of Life'' (1983)====
{{Main|Monty Python's The Meaning of Life}}
[[File:Terry Jones Monty Python O2 Arena (cropped) (2).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Mr Creosote|Mr. Creosote]] from ''The Meaning of Life'' (played by [[Terry Jones]], pictured) has been called "the ultimate gross-out icon" and the "film's signature" scene.<ref>{{cite news |title=Monty Python's The Meaning of Life: Mr Creosote is the ultimate gross-out icon |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/monty-python-meaning-of-life-mr-creosote-gross-out-icon-072049260.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvLnVrLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJW2-1FMX4DqYdxnfR60KarRZVqHnDiqNEuVR46Tk5TVqAJKmKi22M7XybnkfwBCkiTGV7eL8yvW7Bn3iGPdL8NQZ1AUXKvlzkYtnYcSCBlJEwFVUfyqHX26UdbqA7ji3ysk4Voiq60Ln4oBZNxaBugytrGSpujmpg0HWKU3HmuO&guccounter=2 |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=Yahoo|quote=it remains the film’s signature, and one of the greatest Python moments because it seems to sum up what they were all about: a clever observation of the world wrapped up so tightly in absurdity that you almost missed the point while doubled over in hysterics.}}</ref>]]
The Pythons' final film returned to something structurally closer to the style of ''Flying Circus'': a series of sketches loosely follows the ages of man from birth to death. Directed again by Jones solo, ''The Meaning of Life'' is embellished with some of the group's most bizarre and disturbing moments, as well as various elaborate musical numbers, which include "[[Galaxy Song]]" (performed by Idle) and "[[Every Sperm Is Sacred]]" (performed by Palin and Jones).<ref name="Making Meaning">{{cite news |title=How we made Monty Python's The Meaning of Life |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/30/monty-python-meaning-of-life |access-date=24 August 2019 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> The film is by far their darkest work, containing a great deal of [[Black comedy|black humour]], garnished by some spectacular violence (including an operation to remove a [[liver]] from a living patient without [[anaesthetic]] and the morbidly obese [[Mr Creosote|Mr. Creosote]] exploding over several restaurant patrons after finally giving in to the smooth maître d' telling him to eat a mint – "It's only a wafer-thin mint...").<ref name="Python quotes"/> At the time of its release, the Pythons confessed their aim was to offend "absolutely everyone", adding "It is guaranteed to offend".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Monty Python's The Meaning of Life |url=https://ew.com/article/1998/04/03/monty-pythons-meaning-life/ |access-date=19 August 2019 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref>

The Liver Donor scene (in which a paramedic appears at the door of a living man to take his liver) is a satire on bureaucracy, a common Python trope.<ref name="Making Meaning"/> Besides the opening credits and the fish sequence, Gilliam, by now an established live-action director, no longer wanted to produce any linking cartoons, offering instead to direct one sketch, "[[The Crimson Permanent Assurance]]". Under his helm, though, the segment grew so ambitious and tangential that it was cut from the movie and used as a supporting feature in its own right. (Television screenings also use it as a prologue.) This was the last project on which all six Pythons collaborated, except for the 1989 compilation ''[[Parrot Sketch Not Included – 20 Years of Monty Python|Parrot Sketch Not Included]],'' where they are all seen sitting in a closet for four seconds. This was the last time Chapman appeared on screen with the Pythons.<ref name="Five films"/>

Although not as acclaimed as its two predecessors (''Holy Grail'' and ''Life of Brian''), ''The Meaning of Life'' was still well received critically and was screened at the [[1983 Cannes Film Festival]] where it won the [[Grand Prix (Cannes Film Festival)|Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/archives/1983/allAward.html |title=Awards 1983: All Awards |work=festival-cannes.fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216190344/http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/archives/1983/allAward.html |archive-date=16 December 2013 |df=dmy}}</ref>