A steelbook release that gets One… two… five stars!
Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a film that draws from legend, and in doing so becomes one itself. A comedy masterpiece, blending Arthurian lore with the idiosyncrasies of the Pythons. Immensely quotable, pervasive in popular culture, and truly distinct. Even in it’s 50th year, which this new 4K release celebrates, it remains fresh, funny, and wonderfully eccentric.
Arthurian legend and the exploits of the Knights of the Round table has been well mined in cinema, The Green Knight and Excalibur being personal favorites of mine. The charge to find the Grail in order to heal the land and unite the people. It’s a quest that takes these Knights across the British Isles whereupon they face obstacles, challenges, and fantastical creatures. The Knights who say Ni, an indestructible Black Knight, a castle held by a taunting Frenchman, and an all-powerful enchanter named Tim. each rooted in legend, but with a healthy silly streak added. The troop, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam, leverage their strengths from the TV series into playing these (mis)adventures into a series of skits, each playing a medley of different characters (running the gamut of idiotic, charming, likeable, and detestable), bar Chapman, who spends the entire film donning the crown of the King himself.
Gilliam & Jones directed the film, along with help from forty specially trained Ecuadorian mountain Llamas, 6 Venezuelan Red Llamas, 142 Mexican Whooping Llamas, 14 North Chilean Guanacos (closely related to the llama), Reg Llama of Brixton, and 76,000 Battery Llamas from ‘llama-fresh farms Ltd. near Paraguay). The result is at times frenetic, others focused. Tangents in the name of comedy rather than narrative, even breaking reality (and the fourth wall) in multiple instances. Gags come thick and fast gags, both verbal and visual. Peppered throughout, the wildly creative animations of Terry Gilliam, announcing events and chapters of the tale. The overall look shows up some of the limited budget, but also the adaptability of the production, efforts to leverage the filming locations and costumes for authenticity. They couldn’t afford horses, but they could certainty put together some armor and find a castle to use.
Despite taking revered myth and painting these figures as a buffoonish band, the wit and smarts of the film is all too apparent. Obvious swipes on the Monarchy and nature of power are complemented by veiled commentaries on sex and violence in cinema, and British history itself, but as layered as it is, the comedy always comes first.
The Package
Physical media aficionados will rejoice with the steel-book packaging of this release. The case presents a whimsical take on the film’s original poster art, the reverse the image of God himself, who also appears in this film. Inside, the gateway is adorned with a sepia tinged image of the comedy troop, while offering room for the two discs, one 4K, the other Blu-ray.
The other main selling point is the all new 4K-UHD transfer. It is a pleasure to say this is the best I’ve ever seen the film look, speaking as someone who has owned copies from VHS, all the way through to the most recent Blu-ray release. Details are a standout, in some cases adding to the films charm as props and killer rabbits show up all the more clearly. The 4K also strikes a great balance in terms of light and dark, bringing out clarity in the gloomier scenes, and giving better presentation to outdoor shots where in previous versions the sky overbleeds somewhat. Colors feel natural, albeit with a firmness that is appreciable, and grain is retained, but feels more stable and consistent throughout. The Atmos track takes a little getting used to if you’ve seen the film previously, but it’s a nice addition to see.
In terms of extra features, the release is absolutely stacked, drawing on a whole host of legacy materials packed into the Blu-ray disc. The only think missing is two halves of a coconut. The 4K-disc does host two additional items, the first is a TV-edit of the film, while ‘Tis But a Tribute assembles interviews (largely conducted over online recordings) of notable comedian, TV personalities, and filmmakers, in which they share their praise for the film.
4K ULTRA HD DISC
- Near-Theatrical Version of the Film (in HD resolution) – Experience a slightly shorter version of the film, as seen on VHS!
- ‘Tis But A Tribute – 50 Years of Monty Python and the Holy Grail – Over 25 comedy luminaries share their memories of, affection for, and continued fascination with the film
BLU-RAY DISC
- Audio Commentary with Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones: Funny yes, but the (then) first time filmmakers also discuss technical approaches, location issues, problems and solutions, and more things they encountered during filming
- Audio Commentary with John Cleese, Eric Idle and Michael Palin: More of a trip down memory lane, very funny, laced with stories from the set, and a high degree of silliness
- 2015 Tribeca Film Festival Q&A with Terry, Terry, Mike, John and Eric: Around 30 minutes in length, and nice to see the assembled Pythons banter about the film
- Outtakes and Extended Scenes with Introduction by Terry Jones: Seven scenes, totaling about 20 min in length. The context of their excision from Jones is appreciated
- Lost Animations with Introduction by Terry Gilliam: Unused animation sequences from the film
- Quest for the Holy Grail Locations with Michael Palin and Terry Jones: 45-minutes, and a rather delightful travelogue and opportunity to reminisce between the pair
- Lego Knights: The Knights of the Round Table in LEGO: The musical number recreated
- Special Japanese Version: Two scenes translated into Japanese
- How to Use Your Coconuts (An Educational Film)
- BBC Film Night on Location: From a 1974 news report
- Three Songs to Sing-Along
- Photo Gallery
- Original Theatrical Trailer
The Bottom Line
The enduring comedic legacy of Monty Python and the Holy Grail is indisputable. A testament to the eccentric wit, and erratic whimsy of this band of off-kilter legends. Sony’s 4K is the best the film has ever looked, and its backed up by a wonderful collation of extra features. If you’re not convinced about whether its worth a purchase, then I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 50th Anniversary 4K-steelbook is available via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment now
