Monty Python and the Holy Grail -- Two-disc set [DVD]

The second best comedy ever made, Monty Python and the Holy Grail must give precedence only to the same team's masterpiece, The Life of Brian (1979). Even though most of this film's set-pieces are now indelibly inscribed in every Python fan's psyche, as if by magic they never seem to pall. And they remain endlessly, joyfully quotable: from the Black Knight ("It's just a flesh wound"), to the constitutional peasants ("Come and see the violence inherent in the system!") and the taunting French soldier ("Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!"). Not forgetting of course the migratory habits of European and African swallows...

The film's mock-Arthurian narrative provides a sturdy framework for the jokes, and the authentic-looking production design is relentlessly and gloriously dirty. The miniscule budget turns out to be one of the film's greatest assets: Can't afford horses? Use coconuts instead. No money for special effects? Let Terry Gilliam animate. And so on, from Camelot ("it's only a model") to the rampaging killer rabbit glove puppet. True it's let down a little by a rushed ending, and the jokes lack the sting of Life of Brian's sharply observed satire, but Holy Grail is still timeless comedy that's surely destined for immortality.

On the DVD: Disc One contains a digitally remastered anamorphic (16:9) print of the film--which is still a little grainy, but a big improvement on previous video releases--with a splendidly remixed Dolby 5.1 soundtrack (plus an added 24 seconds of self-referential humour "absolutely free"!). There are two commentaries, one with the two Terrys, co-directors Jones and Gilliam, the other a splicing together of three separate commentaries by Michael Palin, John Cleese (in waspish, nit-picking mood) and Eric Idle. A "Follow the Killer Rabbit" feature provides access either to the Accountant's invoices or Gilliam's conceptual sketches. Subtitle options allow you to read the screenplay or watch with spookily appropriate captions from Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part II.

The second disc has lots more material, much of it very silly and inconsequential (an educational film on coconuts, the Camelot song in Lego and so on), plus a long-ish documentary from 2001 in which Palin and Jones revisit Doune Castle, Glencoe and other Scottish locations. Perhaps best of all, though, are the two scenes from the Japanese version with English subtitles, in which we see the search for the Holy sake cup, and the Ni-saying Knights who want... bonsai! --Mark Walker

King Arthur (Graham Chapman) and his Knights of the Round Table (John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin) on the trail of the elusive Holy Grail, encountering many nasty and long-winded characters (John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin) on the way. Who can forget the quest for a shrubbery to placate the fearsome Knights who say 'Ni', the fearless, and limbless, Black Knight, the mysterious wizard Tim and the horrific White Rabbit, with the big pointy teeth.

The complete Python troupe is cast in this parody of the legend of the Holy Grail. The Knights of the Round Table battle dismembering foes and killer rabbits on their perilous quest.

Disc 1:

• Subtitles for people who don't like the film (from Shakespeare's Henry IV Part II)
  
• On-screen screenplay - follow while you watch!
  
• Commentaries by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, plus general back-biting from John Cleese, Eric Idle and Michael Palin
  
• Exciting 'Follow the Killer Rabbit' feature
  
• Special feature for the hard of hearing!
  
• Extra 24 seconds of nearly-new footage!

Disc 2:

• Three mindless singalongs!
  
• Michael Palin and Terry Jones in The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations featurette
  
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail in Lego!
  
• Educational film: How to Use Your Coconuts
  
• On Location With the Pythons 18-min BBC location report (1974)
  
• Interactive cast directory - how many roles did each Python play?
  
• Many of Terry Gilliam's original sketches
  
• Behind-the-scenes photos
  
• A Load of Rubbish - surprise package of mystery items!
  
• Unused Locations - see how the Director's recce used up the budget!
  
• Unused ideas
  
• Theatrical trailers and weblinks

DVD Technical Information:

• Language: English
  
• Subtitles: English
  
• Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 surround
  
• Aspect Ratio: Letterbox 1.85:1
  
• Disc format: DVD-9

The entire Python gang star in this hilarious retelling of the Knights of King Arthur and their quest for the Holy Grail.