PYTHONS, THE (TV)
Summary
This televised documentary film examines the history of the Monty Python comedy troupe as they work on their latest film, "Monty Python's Life of Brian" (1979). Filmed on location in Tunisia and set in 33 A.D., the film is a Biblical parody about an ordinary man accidentally mistaken for the Messiah. The six members of the group began working together ten years earlier and created the "Flying Circus" television series and the successful "Holy Grail" (1975) film, but have lately gone their separate ways and worked on individual projects, making this film something of a reunion. Eric Idle has had success in America on "Saturday Night Live" and on his BBC2 sketch show, "Rutland Weekend Television," which featured the Beatles-parody band The Rutles, and he comments on the usefulness of striking out on one's own and learning from mistakes. Graham Chapman wrote and starred in a film, "The Odd Job" (1978), though he originally studied medicine before turning to comedy. Director Terry Jones wrote a book about the Canterbury Tales and also co-directed "Holy Grail" alongside Terry Gilliam, though they agree that a film is best handled by one "dictator" alone. Gilliam, who also directed fellow troupe member Michael Palin in "Jabberwocky" (1977), comments on his work as production designer for "Brian." Palin also wrote the "Ripping Yarns" comedy TV series with Jones, while John Cleese enjoyed success with the "Fawlty Towers" series, and he explains that the comedy was based on characters suffering from "suppressed rage." Cleese also notes that the group's dynamic is "healthier" now that they have taken time apart and are not constantly working together, as they had in years past. "Flying Circus" premiered on October 5, 1969, and cast members including Carol Cleveland agree that even they were at first baffled by the show's unique comedy style. The show quickly achieved "cult status" because of its late timeslot, however, and Cleese suggests that the troupe's best material is typically "about something," rather than a series of odd jokes. The members agree that they were strongly influenced by "The Goon Show," and creator Spike Milligan talks about the post-war show's distinctive comedy style. Jones recalls the "chain of consciousness" style of both Milligan's show and Gilliam's cartoons, explaining how they offered innovative ideas about how to structure comedy sketches. Gilliam comments on the Bronzino painting ("Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time") from which he borrowed the imagery for the iconic "Monty Python foot," and the other members discuss the additional influences of their middle-class backgrounds and the unique "madness" of the English, as exemplified in Palin and Cleese's famous "fish-slapping" sketch.
Filming of "Brian" continues, and the actors explain that it is attempting to satirize modern-day themes and politics within an antiquated setting, though there is no direct parody of Jesus. Chapman acts as the set doctor when the harsh desert environment leads to injuries and illness, and the other members spend their downtime reading and joking with one another. They agree that they are an "efficient working unit," and the troupe members offer their commentary on one another, mentioning Jones' "fanatic" nature, Gilliam's distinctly American speech patterns, Palin's "appallingly normal" family life, and Cleese's "shy and tender" personality, among other things. Chapman speaks candidly about his own homosexuality and his battles with alcoholism, and Idle notes that he has undergone "an absolute transformation" since cutting back on drinking. Despite their separate lives and projects, Jones says that the troupe will continue working together as long as they have "things to say" and funny ideas to parody, and Palin concludes the film by joking about how the group will celebrate their day's work with an orgy. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: BBC (United Kingdom)
- DATE: November 30, 1978
- RUNNING TIME: 0:53:51
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:13847
- GENRE: Documentary
- SUBJECT HEADING: International Collection - United Kingdom; Documentary; Comedians
- SERIES RUN: BBC - TV, 1979
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Iain Johnstone … Producer
- John Cleese … Interviewee
- Eric Idle … Interviewee
- Graham Chapman … Interviewee
- Terry Jones … Interviewee
- Terry Gilliam … Interviewee
- Michael Palin … Interviewee
- Carol Cleveland … Interviewee
- Spike Milligan … Interviewee
- Bronzino