The iconic Brit comedy group Monty Python is celebrating forty years and this expansive, six part documentary looks into every nook and cranny.
I was expecting to not enjoy looking into Terry Jones’ nooks and crannies, but it turned out to be a fun time.
Maybe it should’ve been called the “Oh Christ, they’ve gotten so old!” edition, but with the fortieth anniversary of Monty Python, airing on telly October 5, 1969 for the first time, it’s time to celebrate.
Of the interviewees you realize that Graham Chapman is the most youthful looking of the lot, then you realize it’s because he’s dead and it’s all archive footage of him. The surviving members of Python (Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and John Cleese) are all given separate interviews to each have their say about the show.
They’re joined by both their contemporaries, including “seventh Pythons Carol Cleveland and Neil Innes [we’re not told who wins this fabled title, but my money is on Cleveland. Sorry Neil, her tits are nicer.], and those inspired by the group. That second list includes the likes of Steve Coogan, Dan Aykroyd, Russell Brand, Simon Pegg, Seth Green, Tim Roth, Eddie Izzard, One of the Ronnies (Ronnie Corbett), and many more I don’t remember.
Episode one, “The Not-so-Interesting Beginnings,” profiles the youths, long past, of the Pythons as well as their inspirations. “The Much Funnier Second Episode” details the formation of Monty Python’s Flying Circus as well as the disastrous pitch made for the show. It’s surprising that the show even got on the air, but those were much simpler times with less executive input.
“And Now, the Personal Sordid Bits” deals with fights over censorship, their records, and Chapman’s alcoholism. It also covers that we have Terry Jones (sorry about that nooks and crannies bit Terry) to thank for saving the show. As any Doctor Who fan knows the BBC was not forward thinking enough to keep them from wiping videotapes to recycle them. I told you Al Gore was evil.
Jones got wind that Python’s tapes were scheduled for wiping and bought them from the BBC and stored them in his attic. Several shows, such as the aforementioned Doctor Who, The Goon Show, and Peter Cook and Dudley Moore’s show, are lost to time because the BBC wiped them for use to tape horse races or cooking shows. It would be funny if it weren’t so sad. I wipe a tear from my eye as I continue.
“The Ultimate Holy Grail Episode” covers the filming of their second more Python influenced film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail as well as their first foray into American television. Their first film, And now for Something Completely Different, was more of a best of film in which the Pythons had little input. That would change with Holy Grail as they raised the money themselves, including funds from Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, and had more control.
It also turned out to be a favorite film of the King, not the silly English one but the Elvis one. Thank you very much. “Lust for Glory” is about the controversial Life of Brian movie which was largely bankrolled by George Harrison. He just wanted to see the picture and may be the holder of the most expensive ticket, bankrolled at 4 million, in cinematic history.
“Finally! The Last Episode (Ever) (For Now…)” talks about Monty Python at the Hollywood Bowl and the Meaning of Life, the film not actually revealing that meaning, Chapman’s death and memorial, and what the future holds for them. So the first three episodes (disc one) basically cover the telly show and one episode each about the three films (all on disc two). It’s a wonderful look at Monty Python.
Almost the Truth is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.78:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions. Disc three contains all the special features. There are 24 minutes of popular Python sketches (Dead Parrot, Spanish Inquisition, Fish Slapping Dance, Ministry of Silly Walks, Lumberjack Song, The Cheese Shop, and SPAM). Next you get 56 minutes of extended interviews with Cleese, Idle, Jones, Gilliam, and Palin and 49 minutes of outtakes (aka unused interviews bits that include a tour of the SPAM Museum and Steve Coogan doing a verbatim version of the Undertaker Sketch). Finally there’s a Terry Gilliam Picture Gallery.
Monty Python may be singlehandedly responsible for the British invasion of PBS stations, in Dallas, Texas no less. Almost the Truth tells of the ups, downs and in betweens of the group called Monty Python. There are some sad and moving bits, but it’s the funny that you’ll most remember.
You’ll even learn to tell the difference between Michael Palin and Eric Idle. From the looks of it they’ll all be dead soon anyway so piss off.
Monty Python: Almost The Truth is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for this version of the DVD in the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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