Monty Python's Flying Circus – British TV Icon
Monty Python's Flying Circus British TV Icon
During the late 1960's and early 70's one of my favourite tv shows was Monty Python's Flying Circus. This comedy show was a ground breaking show which was based on surreal and silly concepts which we English just loved. The television series, broadcast by the BBC from 1969 to 1974, was conceived, written and performed by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. Loosely structured as a sketch show but with an innovative surreal approach (aided by Gilliam's animation).
If the reader has never seen Monty Python then can I suggest you buy one of films on DVD - you won't be disappointed.
The Pythons' creative control allowed them to experiment with form and content, discarding rules of television comedy. Their influence on British comedy has been apparent for years, while in North America it has coloured the work of cult performers from the early editions of Saturday Night Live through to more recent absurdist trends in television comedy. 'Pythonesque' has entered the English lexicon as a result.
List of various Shows, Films etc.
Television
Monty Python's Flying Circus (19691974)
The show that started the Python phenomenon.
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus (1972)
Two 45-minute specials made by WDR for West German television. The first was recorded in German, while the second was in English with German dubbing.
Monty Python's Personal Best (2006)
Six one-hour specials, each episode presenting the best of one member's work.Films
There were five Monty Python productions released as theatrical films:
And Now for Something Completely Different (1971)
A collection of sketches from the first and second TV series of Monty Python's Flying Circus purposely re-enacted and shot for film.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
King Arthur and his knights embark on a low-budget search for the Holy Grail, encountering humorous obstacles along the way. Some of these turned into standalone sketches.
Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
Brian is born on the first Christmas, in the stable next to Jesus'. He spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982)
A videotape recording directed by Ian MacNaughton of a live performance of sketches. Originally intended for a TV/video special. Transferred to 35mm and given a limited theatrical release in the US.
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)
An examination of the meaning of life in a series of sketches from conception to death and beyond, from the uniquely Python perspective.
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) (2009)
This film features interviews with all the surviving Python members, along with archive representation for the late Graham Chapman. The Pythons will tell their life story and reveal deeper truths alongside the more tried and tested Python history lessons. "This is the documentary I always hoped that would be made something so complete and so faithful to the truth that I don't need to watch it," said Terry Jones.Albums
Monty Python's Flying Circus (1970)
Another Monty Python Record (1971)
Monty Python's Previous Record (1972)
The Monty Python Matching Tie and Handkerchief (1973)
Monty Python Live at Drury Lane (1974)
The Album of the Soundtrack of the Trailer of the Film of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Monty Python Live at City Center (1976)
The Monty Python Instant Record Collection (1977)
Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album (1980)
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)
The Final Rip Off (1988)
Monty Python Sings (1989)
The Monty Python Instant Record Collection, Volume 2 (1991)
The Ultimate Monty Python Rip Off (1994)
The Instant Monty Python CD Collection (1994)
Spamalot (Broadway version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail with Tim Curry as King Arthur) (2005)
The Hastily Cobbled Together for a Fast Buck Album (unreleased)
Theatre
Monty Python's Flying Circus Between 1974 and 1980 (Live at the Hollywood Bowl was released in 1982, but was performed in 1980) the Pythons made three sketch-based stage shows, comprising mainly material from the original television series.
Monty Python's Spamalot Written by Idle directed by Mike Nichols, with music and lyrics by John Du Prez and Idle, and starring Hank Azaria, Tim Curry, and David Hyde Pierce, Spamalot is a musical adaptation of the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It ran in Chicago from 21 December 2004 to 23 January 2005, and began performances on Broadway on 17 March 2005. It won three Tonys.
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) The Toronto Symphony Orchestra commissioned Idle and John Du Prez to write the music and lyrics of an oratorio based on Monty Python's Life of Brian. Entitled Not the Messiah, it had its world premiere as part of Luminato, a "festival of arts and creativity" taking place June 110, 2007 in Toronto. Not the Messiah was conducted by Peter Oundjian, Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, who is Idle's cousin. It was performed by a narrator, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, with guest soloists and choir. According to Idle, "It will be funnier than Handel, though not as good".
Books
Monty Python's Big Red Book
The Brand New Monty Python Bok
The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus Volumes 1 & 2
Michael Palin Diaries 19691979
The Pythons: Autobiography by the Pythons
Games
Monty Python's Flying Circus (1990) a computer game released by Virgin Games for 8-bit systems such as the Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum[43]
Monty Python's Complete Waste of Time (1994) released by 7th Level for PC / DOS
Monty Python & the Quest for the Holy Grail (1996), official game released by 7th Level. It used footage and imagery from the film, as well as audio clips (some new) and featured an animated version of a scene never filmed entitled "King Brian The Wild".
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1997), also released by 7th Level. According to the jewel case description, it's based on the film by the same name, but it's really something completely similar yet entirely different.
Python-opoly (2007), a Monty Python-themed property game released by Toy Vault Inc.[44]
Monty Python Fluxx (2008), a card game released by Looney Labs[45]
Blazing Dragons
See also
Beyond the Fringe
List of Monty Python's Flying Circus episodes
List of recurring characters in Monty Python's Flying Circus
Monty Python's Complete Waste of Time
Python (Monty) Pictures
Spamalot
The Goodies
The Goon Show
On England's National Day - St George's Day, Monday, 23 April 2007 the cast and creators of Spamalot gathered in Trafalgar Square under the tutelage of the two Terrys (Jones and Gilliam) to set a new record for the world's largest coconut orchestra. They led 5,567 people "clip-clopping" in time to the Python classic "Always Look On The Bright Side of Life" for the Guinness World Records attempt.
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The Chinese call Britain 'The Island of Hero's' which I think sums up what we British are all about. We British are inquisitive and competitive and are always looking over the horizon to the next adventure and discovery.
Copyright 2010 Paul Hussey. All Rights Reserved.
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