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Amazon.co.uk Review
The coming together of the Python team is regarded as the birth of modern comedy, though each of the six members had been doing similar sketch work prior to this first, 1969 series, of whose highlights this video consists. The most revolutionary aspect of Python was its eschewal of punch lines, preferring as they did bizarre, surreal links and quantum leaps into the imagination of animator Terry Gilliam. Inevitably, Python has dated. Sketches such as the Upper Class Twit of the year and the "Wink-wink, nudge nudge" man are worn down by familiarity. There's some clunky stereotyping and "Oo, ducky"-style gay references. That said, much of this still stands up. Hells Grannies and the race to find the World's Funniest Joke are fine, idle-driven documentary spoofs while the Batley Townswomen's Guild's re-enactment of Pearl Harbour is intelligently ridiculous. John Cleese, however, stands literally and metaphorically head and shoulders above the rest. His and Chapman's sketches, involving a mountaineering expedition leader with double vision and an arts TV interviewer who can't get past the etiquette of how to refer to his guest ("Eddie baby . . .") are pursued to their absurd non-conclusions with the remorseless logic of a top-drawer barrister. --David Stubbs
Amazon.co.uk Review
The coming together of the influential Python team is regarded as a milestone for modern absurdist comedy, though each of the six members had been doing similar sketch work prior to this first 1969 series, of whose highlights this video consists. The most revolutionary aspect of Python was its eschewal of punch lines, preferring as they did bizarre, surreal links and quantum leaps into the imagination of animator Terry Gilliam. Inevitably, Python has dated. Sketches such as "The Upper Class Twit of the Year" and the "Wink-wink, nudge nudge" man are worn down by familiarity. There's some clunky stereotyping and "Oo, ducky"-style gay references. That said, much of this still stands up. "Hells Grannies" and the race to find the world's funniest joke are fine, the Eric Idle-driven documentary spoofs are witty while the Batley Townswomen's Guild's re-enactment of Pearl Harbour is intelligently ridiculous. John Cleese, however, stands literally and metaphorically head and shoulders above the rest. His and Chapman's sketches, involving a mountaineering expedition leader with double vision and an arts TV interviewer who can't get past the etiquette of how to refer to his guest ("Eddie baby...") are pursued to their absurd non-conclusions with the remorseless logic of a top-drawer barrister. --David Stubbs
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
130 of 131 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As a collection of sketches, this is outstanding - some of the all-time Python classics are here, including Bicycle Repair Man, Upper Class Twit of the Year, Nudge Nudge and many others from the first series. Some of the additions - such as the Karaoke Lumberjack Song -are nice to have, but if there's one thing that stops me giving it the top rating it's that I'd have preferred to forgo the extras if it meant having each episode complete. Yes Python is hit and miss in places, but looking at what's left out - Johann Gombolputty.... of Ulm, for example - and the use of repetition in some episodes (How to recognise different types of tree from quite a long way away) makes me want to have the lot, not just selected slices no matter how good. This approach could cause havoc with for example the Spanish Inquisition, who appear several times in one episode of series 2, or the Bishop rehearsing his one line who appears in several different episodes.
None of this is particualarly a reflection of the quality of the material - which is excellent - and if you're just interested in having the best known sketches then this is ideal - however for those of us who want the whole lot on DVD this is at best a stop-gap.
72 of 75 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
If you are a casual python fan, who just likes the famous sketches that everyone knows about then this dvd is for you. If you are serious about comedy and love python then don't bother.
All the sketches are shown totally out of context and lot's of brilliant sketches have been ommitted. Admittely this is not the fault of whoever put this package together, the whole point is that you cannot do the best of monty python. How can you reduce over 24 hours worth of material and do it justice in just 4 hours. It's not possible, and it is evident here.
The material itself is 5 stars, the package is no stars, it's that simple. So if you want the real thing it's worth importing the mega set from america. It's region 0 so it plays in any dvd player, I have one and it plays in my region 2 dvd player.
Watching the episodes as they were meant to be seen is the only way to watch Python. And for anyone serious about comedy then Python is a must have. 90% of comedy that was made after python could not exist without it.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This compilation of sketches from the first series of 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' is excellent in its own right - it has all the fondly-remembered favourites from the first series, including 'The Lumberjack Song', 'The Upper Class Twit of the Year Show', and of course, 'The Parrot Sketch'. Good enough in its own right, but the presentation of the DVD is what makes it really special. The picture and sound quality is excellent, and together with a decent ( albeit limited ) compendium of extras, including a 'Karaoke Lumberjack Song' feature, 'Palindromes' and the original Radio Times billing for the show, this is a must-buy DVD. Roll on Volume 2!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
For Most Python fans....
I bought my set very cheaply second-hand two years ago and had a merry old time watching all of it on consecutive nights. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tim Kidner
Now for something completely different ...........
This is a must for any Python fan who has not got some of the classic sketches - there is also a bonus DVD which includes interviews with all and features Graham Chapman in an Urn... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Tommo
Avoid
Why buy DVDs that have been censored? The word 'masturbating' in the Proust sketch is bleeped out. What is that all about? Don't waste your money.
Published on 8 Dec 2009 by Kelpie
Monty Python's flying circus vol. 1
This DVD is hilarious from start to finish. All the sketches are great, but my personal favourites are: 'Hell's grannies', 'Storytime', 'Kilimanjaro', 'Dirty fork', and of course,... Read more
Published on 9 April 2006 by "amanda12019"
Good. But there are a lot more great sketches.
This is a good monty python hits dvd. It has all the best sketches.All of them are good i especially like the party political broadcast from the liberal party. Read more
Published on 6 April 2006 by Mr. Ar French
Excellant,But this now
When i first heard of a TV series, i said 'I am going to buy that', but meh, i never got around to it. Read more
Published on 24 May 2004 by "penguinmaister"
Impressive box set with quality bonuses
This collection offers superb value for money. Do the math and it works out at under 6 pounds per DVD. Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2004 by cosmetic punk
stupid BBC
My rating for this item has unfortunatley been hurt by BBC's poor editing of the 3 'best of' dvds. If they had included some other well known sketches and used actual editing... Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2004 by Miss B
Revenge of program planning
Don't waste your money buying yet another compilation-get
a Japanese friend to buy you the set available over there. Read more
a Japanese friend to buy you the set available over there. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2004
Rip Off
Let's be clear that the one star rating is not a reflection of the material here - Monty Python is still one of the best, and boldest, comedy series of all time. Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2004 by a g s bishop
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