Monty Python: The Other British Invasion – DVD Review

By Jeff Swindoll Nov 19, 2009, 12:53 GMT

As hard as it is to imagine, there was a world before Monty Python. And just like any other great historical epoch--the Jurassic Period, the Age of Chivalry, The Dawn of Disco--scholars have invested hundreds of hours examining the Rise of Python: that brief shining moment before the world knew how brilliant buffoonery could be. Watch, laugh and learn: Before the Flying Circus: Rare vintage footage and interviews trace the pre-Monty Python ...more

Monty Python is forty years old.  No, it’s not a snake called Monty.  It’s….. The comedy group from England [large foot comes down and smashes reviewer].  These documentaries were previously only available on the Collector’s Edition set released in 2008.  

In the year of our lord 2008, a Collector’s Edition of the works of Monty Python was released.  It contained all the episodes of the iconic group as well as the “Personal Best” discs and two exclusive documentaries.  Verily, verily I say unto you that now if you didn’t shell out for that box set that you can now get those two documentaries in this two disc set.  The first is called “Before the Flying Circus” (55 minutes). 

It’s all about the Pythons before they became a group.  It bears a striking similarity to the first episode of the new Almost the Truth documentary.  Though I’d give the Almost the Truth the win in this case.  It does cover the childhoods of the Pythons and how they came to know one another, their inspirations, and working together before coming together as a group.  This one has been dubbed a “black and white documentary” and isn’t in color.  The second is “Monty Python Conquers America” (55 minutes). 

This one is in color, but utilizes interviews from the same sessions as the first doc.  The whole running time is devoted to showing how the Pythons broke into the United States market.  It wasn’t as easy as you think it would be.  Attempting to break into public television it wasn’t until they aired in Dallas, Texas (of all places) that the floodgates opened and the troupe found success in the States. 

Again, this ground is covered in Almost the Truth but devotes more time to the story.  Almost the Truth is the more rounded and entertaining of the documentaries, but you almost see how these documentaries formed an idea for Almost the Truth.  These two seem less definitive and dry compared to the six hour definitive doc (reviewed elsewhere on this site, hint, hint).  

Monty Python: The Other British Invasion is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.78:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions.  Disc one also contains the 16 minute “Animated Gilliam” in which Gilliam talks about his title animations.  The 3 minute “Politically Incorrect” is a sketch that was taken off subsequent showings of a series three episode by the BBC because they thought it would influence an election. 

For Python completists this allows you to add these exclusive documentaries to your collection without having to buy that other set.  Though I suppose if you’re a completist that you already did that, silly git.  These docs are nice but they pale a little in comparison to Almost the Truth, but it’s good that the American story is given a little more screentime.  

Monty Python: The Other British Invasion is now available at Amazon. Visit the DVD database for more information.