Monthy Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Directors: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones
Writers: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
Cast: John Cleese, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, Terry Jones
Runtime: 91 minutes

Plot: The not so brave King Arthur and his knights embark on a search for the Grail, encountering many many silly obstacles.

Review: In 1975, when the film reached theaters, Monty Python had a cult following. Several Python moments come from the film such as "The Lumberjack Song", "No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!", "Knights of the Round Table" and "The Ballad of Sir Robin”.  There are silly walks, people singing about the virtues of Spam, at one point we see a group of medieval peasants bringing out the dead and be repressed, a black knight who doesn't know the meaning of "quit", a taunting Frenchman, the knights who say "Ni", a bunny with a nasty appetite, and a gatekeeper who has three tricky questions to ask.
The movie starts out with King Arthur, seeking knights for Camelot. He finds many, including Sir Galahad (Michael Palin), Sir Lancelot (John Cleese), Sir Bedevere (Terry Jones), and Sir Robin (Eric Idle). They pretend to ride on horses while their servants bang coconuts to make the sound of horse's hooves. The knights satirize witch trials and the black plague, come to Camelot, but after a quick song and dance they decide not to go there. While walking away, God come tells them to find the Holy Grail. They agree and begin their search. Throughout their search they meet interesting people and knights along the way.

The film is a personal favorite of mine for its unorthodox and ever so silly humor. Although I never watched a single Monty Python skit before the film, it got me hooked. In my eyes and in the eyes of the world, it became an instant classic, a category it most definitely belongs to.
 

Reviewed by Waleed K. Rajamiya