It was directed by Terry Gilliam, the director of Brazil and 12 Monkeys. Terry Gilliam was born in Medicine Lake, Minnesota. He did all the animation in the movie himself.
I'd say the most important pop culture reference originated from Python is the adoption of 'spam' as a serious term for repetitive, unwanted and self-replicating things
To quote one of my favorite Letterboxd reviews of this film: "People are still running around making movies like there’s rules to follow when this came out 45 years ago."
@@stuartspencer2161 It was the 70s though. They started in student comedy at university in the 60s, but they formed as Monty Python and changed television forever in the 70s.
I don’t know why but I totally accepted it from the begging. Just later I thought about how hilariously stupid that is. Don’t know what that says about me 😂
when I was a little kid at school thats how we pretended to play cowboys (except we didn't have coconuts at school) - same as 'flying' around doing battle of britain dogfights by sticking our arms out & banking & wheeling around each other but of course everyone know that coconut halves is how radio shows, theatres and even movie sound effects departments used to simulate the sound of horses - this is just the first time you see it done on screen. 🙃
Fun fact about the scene in which Lancelot is running at the castle, as the two guards watch on and the same clip repeats itself. Jonn Cleese who played Lancelot had to film that specfic running sequence in the middle of a park in broad daylight... with dog walkers and general pedestrians still able to walk around. John would stand at one end of the field - where, to an onlooker, no cameras were in sight - and wait for a signal to sprint at full speed. To the pedestrians, he was simply a man, in full medieval attire, standing quietly to attention, eyes fixed at the field in front of him (as he was waiting for his cue). And, despite him being a household name by this stage, not a single soul even attempted to acknowledge him. As Cleese understandingly puts it: "They all had an air of 'we don't look at people who do that [standing in a rainy field in full armour for no clear reason]... because it only encourages them". Most. British. Mentality. Ever.
"Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of governance!" "You can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you!" this is one of my favourite jokes in anything, the multitude of ridiculous ways he describes and berates one of our most ancient myths is just amazing
@@HistoritorJimaldus Those communist characters are def "woke" even in this movie that came out DECADES ago before that word entered modern usage. The only reason why it works is it doesn't take itself seriously, so it loses that wokeness factor.
Your first Python experience?!?! James, mate, these guys were revolutionary and incredibly important for modern cinema. they pushed buttons eeverywhere. Watch Life of Brian and read up on the controversy, you'll understand how important of a movie this was in terms of opening doors to whats possible for cinema. (no taboos etc.)
Cannot agree more! Look also for the TV debate between Eric Idle and John Cleese on one hand, and some boring and upset bishop on the other. Hilarious.
Ah-- Life of Brian.. that movie got banned here in Norway for blasphemy, so of course the swedes advertized it as "the movie that was so funny it got banned in Norway" lol
@@Garmonbozia not Eric idle but Michael palin ( quietly fuming ) and don’t forget the bishop had not even bothered to watch the film before giving his opinion on it.
I love all the subtle jokes in this film; especially in the beginning when Arthur is arguing with the peasants who are just taking piles of dirt and putting them in other piles of dirt.
@@cleekmaker00 We can laugh at it as a piece of background humor, but during the medieval plagues, there probably were people who did stuff like that to "banish the demons that were spreading the plague" or what have you. People tried all sorts of crazy stuff to fix it
They had done it as a reoccurring joke quite a few times before Holy Grail. It is still a cop out ending, but not because they couldnt figure out how to end it
The BBC didn't pay him much on Flying Circus for it, however. I think that's why he appears in sketches on that show. Of course, that led to him actually appearing on-screen in Holy Grail, as well, even though he was already co-directing and doing the animation.
Side note: neither Arthur or his knights could have killed the “famous historian” as he was the only person to have ridden a real horse Plus, the ending is a literal “cop-out” 🤣
Fun fact: this movie had two directors who alternated duties every other day and it was their first time making a movie. It could be said that the reason this movie us so unique is because they were learning to make movies while filming.
18:16 when the rabbit goes for the throat I LOSE IT everytime. I love your line "that is a level 99 rabbit, you guys are not ready to run that raid." too perfect
This movie was financed by Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin iirc, their next movie Life of Brian (serious religious overtones in its herecy) was financed by George Harrison.
I honestly can’t think of any film before Holy Grail that pioneered what could be the first example of ‘troll humour’ in regards to the film’s ending. It’s so insufferable, aggravating, hilarious and perfect.
This really is one of the most perfect films of all time. My favorite detail is how they all yell "RUN AWAY!!" because at this point in history, the Normans hadn't invaded Britain and thus the word 'retreat', which is originally Old French, wasn't a part of English yet. In Old English during Arthurian times you'd literally just yell run away
According to the Pythons themselves, the coconut joke existed even before the plotline for the film was planned and before a budget had been worked out or proposed.
I showed Life of Brian to people one time. A coworker asked if she could join us. She was very religious and kind of introverted, but still very kind and so of course she was invited. It was about one minute before it happened that I remembered there is full frontal male nudity. She seemed to be enjoying it up until that point.
The dude on the wall pronouncing 'Knight' as "Kuhniggits" is probably one of my favorite parts of this whole movie. Dude just lives in a perpetual state of effortlessly roasting people.
Co-director, animator, and playing various characters in Holy Grail is Terry Gilliam - director of Brazil and Fear and Loathing and a bunch of other stellar films.
"I love how some of the knights that were there were the same people that were, like, the villagers." One of the defining traits of Monty Python is that six guys-Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin-play most of the main roles.
Hey, James - loved the review. Just a note: The animation was not a cost-cutting measure. Python used animation throughout its original tv series (1969-1974). Terry Gilliam is the animator/co-director of Holy Grail. He went on the direct Brazil, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and many more films. I’m a huge Monty Python fan and I hope you get around to watching Life of Brian. Thanks!
Yes! "Life of Brian" next. Or "The Meaning of Life". Or maybe react to "Fawlty Towers". Aaah, Monthy Python... Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, hey ;-)
Unrelated but there was some cost saving measures that did take place, one notable point being that they couldn't afford horses which evolved into their coconut gag.
Seeing someone else watch a movie you’ve seen hundreds of time since childhood is such a bizarre experience. It wasn’t until your reaction video that I saw how much our “heroes” were all just a bunch of rich guys, don quixote-ing around in their deluded state while serfs were dying from famine and plague. This is NOW. This is so current to our times it hurts bc that means nothing has changed in 50 years. *so many layers to this masterpiece*
One of my favorite things about this movie is how many jokes and creative decisions just came from the hideously low budget. The coconuts because they couldnt afford horses, not going to camelot because they couldn't rent a castle, the police arresting them at the end because they couldn't afford to do a battle scene.
The castles they see from the outside in the movie are all the same castle just from different angles. The French knights being at castle agggghhh at the end is making fun of the fact that it's technically the same castle.
I'm 48 and saw The Holy Grail first when I was 6. One of my favorite things is to watch people's reaction to this move especially when younger people are left speechless but laughing insanely.
The scene where he runs towards the castle continuously is my favourite scene, I freaking love it. When I saw it for the first time, I remember checking the Netflix subtitles during the opening to see if they were on before realizing it was part of the joke. When I showed it to my sister, she did the same thing. 😂
@@gelsol I watched a reviewer who talked about Kung Pow and when they came to that scene the first thing he said was: that the person who directed it must been a fan of Monty Python. Kung Pow is its own unique movie that I wish other reviewers would actually review. Or maybe they've seen it already and they can't review it for the first time.
I was a Holy Grail fan and dated a Life of Brian fan. We had never really paid much attention to each other's movie until we'd gotten together. No cable meant we switched between movies every night and can both recite each movie by heart now
They're both great movies. Holy Grail is really just a bunch of incredibly funny sketches with a bit of connective tissue, and feels very much like a grander version of Flying Circus. Life of Brian isn't quite as funny, but actually has a story to it.
Completely takes apart movies, the movie making process and even the movie viewing experience, and give you a good laugh along the way! Everyone quotes Monty Python, most times without even knowing it!
@@MacSvensson One of my top favorite is The Spanish Inquisition, however The Bishop is one I love just as much. Even if it's not one that people mention.
We’re so grateful to experience this journey with you bro. Your passion for film analysis is extremely contagious, as is your warm and humble attitude. Thanks for continuing to do this both for yourself and for us. Much love
Omg these guys are amazing. Their movies and sketches are definitely my kind of humor. The Brits got the laughs that’s for damn sure! Haven’t started the reaction yet but I just know you’re gonna love it!
Iconic gets thrown around left and right, but this movie is probably the #1 most iconic movie I've ever seen Ever. Single. Joke. can be easily referenced in literally ANY PIECE OF MEDIA ever made
Oh yeah. I think going in cold was perfect for James. I watched another channel were the millennial girl, where a modern nerd D&D player never seen it before. It was amazing seeing her "oh my god this is were every thing is from" reaction.
Great reaction! Don't know if you picked up on it during the "Bring out your dead!" scene, because you were talking (I'm not hatin'!), but just a few seconds after you spoke of the stark divide between nobles and peasants in that era, the sanitation man speculated that the passing Arthur "must be a king." Why? "Because he hasn't got shit all over him." I guess insightful filmmakers just know the subtexts before they surface.
“His whole purpose in life was to be a human email!” DUDE!!! More than you know!! For years I had *”SHHHHHHTHUUNNGGG!!! Message for you sir!!”* as my email notification sound!! And I’m hardly the only one who did that by far!! It’s a very popular sound file for that very reason!!” 🤣🤣🤣
The beauty of Python is that they are incredibly literate and well versed in history, philosophy, etc., but they can mix that with slapstick and farce to create an impressive stew of satire and just plain silly humor. I agree with others here who have promoted Life of Brian (a favorite of mine) and I would add The Meaning of Life to your watch list. Also the Dead Parrot sketch, the cheese shop, the Bruce's philosophy sketch... there's just too much to Python!
I think it was Michael Palin who summed up Monty Python's humour as talking about serious things in a silly way, and talking about silly things very seriously. "Life of Brian" is generally regarded as even better than this one. The animation style was the trademark of Terry Gilliam, who directed "Brazil". He was part of the Monty Python team, doing similar animations to link sketches for their sketch show that started in 1969.
A life is better for seeing this film.. "How do you know he's the king?" "He's the only one who doesn't have sh!t on him" - so fitting with your commentary lol
I’m so glad you appreciated this movie. So many reactions were just “wtf did I just watch”. I saw it when I was a naïve 14 year old and seen it a gazillion times since. It just gets better each time. Of course, Life of Brian is now a must.
Each Monty Python movie have a half dozen documentaries written about there making and impact, these guys went on to act as the backbone for basically the entire British comedy and filmmaking scenes for decades not to mention there influences overseas. One of those rare times a group comes together where everyone is equally exceptional in there various crafts and they just go absolutely ham.
The Python's are on record saying this filming was filled with problems and they didn't enjoy it at all. You'd never know that with how great it came out. This and Life of Brian are maybe my 2 favorite comedy films of all time.
Monty Python created an entire genre of humor. They are the reigning kings to this day. The absurdity of what they do goes so far beyond next level that it's just pure damn genius. Every single one of them is top notch. You gotta do Life of Brian next.
1. I first saw this at a drive-in (Still there BTW)😎 2. In the credits they talk about the moose. 3. Perfect Monty Python where you can just get sucked into something where you don't have to think about anything and just let yourself go. 4. "What ya gonna do? Bleed on me." 🤣 5. The only real horse in this thing was the one ridden by the professor killer. 6. The reason for using coconuts was budgetary. Horses are expensive. Especially in entertainment. 5. The ending is a "cop out"
This is the British "Airplane!" movie. Instead of spoofing 1970s disaster films, it spoofed the Arthurian legends in the way only the Monty Python guys can do. Also, it's my experience that people either love Monty Python humor or hate it, no in-between. I'm glad that you liked it.
Their TV show, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, was doing this fourth wall breaking back in 1969. And seeing Terry Gilliam’s Python animations let you see Brazil in a new light.
i love the line "how'd you know he was the king" the replay was" because he hasn't got shit on him" was a joke in several ways the dirty peasants line and also for like the movie trope of good guys were white hats and bad guys wear black the kings is clean also life of Brian is a favorite i love python they all came from tv so thats why it kinda feels like a collection of skits tied together
I remember going to our local theater when this first came out. On opening day, everyone who came to see the movie was given a coconut. The coconuts were handed out from a mini Trojan rabbit in the lobby.
This was Terry Gilliam's first full length feature film as director (he also played Patsy)! He was the only American member of the Monty Python comedy group, and later went on to direct Time Bandits, Brazil, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vega (among half a dozen other great films like The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, and The Fisher King).
Terry Jones the Director of this movie (and also the actor who played Beneviere) was an Oxford trained medieval historian as well as an actor and held until his death that this movie was the most accurate portrayal of real every day life in medieval England.
Saying that, nobody would have been able to pay "ninepence" to have a relative taken away on a cart. It would have been the equivalant of about £800 in today's money.
I think you're the first person I've seen go in blind to react to this and not go "wait, they don't get the grail" at the end. Everyone else always tries to process this like a typical linear Hollywood movie. You're the first one I've seen to catch on to what it is and just roll with it.
This is one if the most iconic comedies ever made. Monty Python was a small group of British (and one American) writers/comedians who wrote and performed in a variety of British tv shows before getting together and doing their own show Monty Pythons Flying Circus. They did a series of movies next, this being the first. They had no budget so made that part of the joke. The next movie "Life of Brian" is brilliant. And yeah "It's but a flesh wound" came from this.
The French Taunter scene, the British and French have had ages of territorial disputes. So, no surprise the French Taunter is, well, such a jerk. King Arthur - "What are you doing in England?" French Taunter - "Mind your own business!"
Just to add a little more context; the inspiration for that scene comes from actual historical accounts of "taunters" who would be employed to hurl insults at the enemy prior to medieval battles; similar to trash talking between Boxers today. Apparently it was an unenviable job, since it made them a prime target for the enemy when the fighting got underway.
Oh yeah. I love the tavern scene in A Knight Tale for similar reasons. Our characters are English getting in an argument with the French rivals. The French end a taunt with and the Pope is French! The level headed English characters stands up in anger, The Pope may be French, but Jesus is English! Bar fight commences.
One really fun detail about the rabbit scene and perhaps some other inspirations. In medieval manuscripts killer rabbit doodles in the margins were actually a thing. Most historians consider it to be a common joke from the scribes from the time period. If anyone's interested in more info google the history of killer rabbits in manuscripts. I think that point is a good way to illustrate the sophistication employed. They found an actual joke from midieval times and made it work well.
During one of the first screenings of this movie in front of a live audience, co-writer and co-director Terry Jones noticed that when music was played during the jokes, there was a marked reduction of laughter from the audience. He went back and edited the music out whenever a punchline was delivered. At subsequent screenings, he noticed a dramatic increase in the audiences' positive reactions to the jokes. From that point on, whenever he directed, he remembered to stop the music for the funny parts.
One of the popular themes in medieval manuscript doodle/illustrations was subverting daily occurrences such as reversing hunting by illustrating the rabbits hunting the humans instead (sometimes in fairly graphic detail) so the idea of the killer bunny may have actually been inspired by that and not just a totally random choice which is a super cool detail if it was done deliberately.
Probably one of the best reactions to "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" that I've ever seen. You really 100% get this movie. The same comedy troupe who did this movie did their take on a religious epic with "Monty Python's Life of Brian". I think that one would TOTALLY be up your alley, as well. Just a warning, it *fully* uses it's R-rating.
"The framing of these shots is really well done." Yeah, well they had to do something to hide the fact that they were all the one interior of the same castle!
One joke which I didn't realise till it was pointed out to me is that the music when the screen goes black at the end is the same music used for the intermission earlier in the film. When originally being shown in a cinema there would have been an actual intermission when it first played, so people in the cinema would have quite possibly thought it was a second intermission. This is also why the credits are at the start of the film so it really does just stop suddenly.
Great reaction. lol - no. The portrayal of "filth" in the "bring out your dead" scene - complete with people literally wallowing in the muck for want of anything else to do - was an extreme exaggeration for comedic effect that plays on one of the more common myths about the age despite the written and physical evidence tot he contrary. The scene in the courtyard of Swamp Castle (before Lancelot bloodies it up) is much closer to the reality. (edited b/c I dropped a couple of words).
James, you have to watch Life of Brian! If you loved Holy Grail, you would love that one too. Thanks for sharing your first time experience with this classic with us, it was a joy to see someone make the discovery. :)
Monty Python was an English Comedy group. They did movies and had TV shows and specials. They set the standard for what we know today as "British Humor".
Thank you James. Seeing you laugh at the same things I've laughed at is uplifting. Your knowledge of cinema adds a whole lot. Laughter is so good and so important, and I'm sure you made a lot of people feel great too from watching this. Peace!
This has been one of my favorite movies since I saw it when I was about 10 or so. I recently showed it to my 9 year old grandson and he loved it even though he didn’t “get it.” “NE!!!!!!!” 😂👍
As a fantasy/history nerd raised by OG D&D/medieval re-creationists this move is such a part of my DNA that the concept that someone had never heard of it blows my mind. I was quoting it as a tiny child before I ever saw it, it was just steeped I'm my personal culture Love getting to see someone experience it for the first time.
The life of Bryan and the meaning of life are also great films by them. (Always look on the bright side of life will be played at my funeral if I have my way)
On the one hand, it was a shame you had no knowledge of the fact that they were a popular British tv sketch show long before making this; and yet on the other hand getting to watch you take your first taste of this epoch of British hilarity and of these geniuses through this paragon of silliness, is priceless for us all. Thank you
My absolute favourite Monty Python scetch is "the ministry of silly walks". You can find it here on TH-cam. Choose the longest version. It's beyond hilarious.
So many iconic gags in this movie. I watched Terry Gilliam's Jabberwocky some months ago after finding it on blu ray on a shelf, not as consistent as Holy grail but still full of fun scenes. He gave the main role to Palin.
You gotta do 'Time Bandits' soon, directed by Terry Gilliam and featuring other Pythons and British actors like Ian Holm and Sean Connery, when I was 10 it was my favourite movie.
I wanna say the scene where there is on going build-up to Lancelot storming the castle (14:50) is referenced in a few movies, but off the top of the dome…. “Kung-Pow Enter the Fist” nailed it.
The line “it’s just a flesh wound” does originate from this movie 😂😂 crazy that you said it right before
I cannot believe how perfect that timing was 😂😂
It was directed by Terry Gilliam, the director of Brazil and 12 Monkeys. Terry Gilliam was born in Medicine Lake, Minnesota. He did all the animation in the movie himself.
" 'Tis but a flesh wound" xP
I've had worse!
I'd say the most important pop culture reference originated from Python is the adoption of 'spam' as a serious term for repetitive, unwanted and self-replicating things
To quote one of my favorite Letterboxd reviews of this film: "People are still running around making movies like there’s rules to follow when this came out 45 years ago."
I absolutely love this.
Monty Python truly innovated comedy back in the 60's, and it's a testament how a lot of their comedy is still funny over 50 years later.
HELLZAPOPPIN' came out earlier but this is still accurate.
@@JamesVSCinema - You need to watch it again and count then number of times a cat is being abused. There is so much going on there is much to miss.
@@stuartspencer2161 It was the 70s though. They started in student comedy at university in the 60s, but they formed as Monty Python and changed television forever in the 70s.
What always get's me is how quickly we accept the coconut horses. By half way through the film, we've accepted it as normal.
The coconuts was because they had so little money they could not afford to use real horses.
There’s so many other things going on that you are forced to just accept it.
It’s Python! Anything goes!
I don’t know why but I totally accepted it from the begging. Just later I thought about how hilariously stupid that is.
Don’t know what that says about me 😂
when I was a little kid at school thats how we pretended to play cowboys (except we didn't have coconuts at school) - same as 'flying' around doing battle of britain dogfights by sticking our arms out & banking & wheeling around each other
but of course everyone know that coconut halves is how radio shows, theatres and even movie sound effects departments used to simulate the sound of horses - this is just the first time you see it done on screen. 🙃
Fun fact about the scene in which Lancelot is running at the castle, as the two guards watch on and the same clip repeats itself. Jonn Cleese who played Lancelot had to film that specfic running sequence in the middle of a park in broad daylight... with dog walkers and general pedestrians still able to walk around. John would stand at one end of the field - where, to an onlooker, no cameras were in sight - and wait for a signal to sprint at full speed.
To the pedestrians, he was simply a man, in full medieval attire, standing quietly to attention, eyes fixed at the field in front of him (as he was waiting for his cue).
And, despite him being a household name by this stage, not a single soul even attempted to acknowledge him. As Cleese understandingly puts it:
"They all had an air of 'we don't look at people who do that [standing in a rainy field in full armour for no clear reason]... because it only encourages them".
Most. British. Mentality. Ever.
lmao.
"Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of governance!" "You can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you!"
this is one of my favourite jokes in anything, the multitude of ridiculous ways he describes and berates one of our most ancient myths is just amazing
@@HistoritorJimaldus "We're an anarcho-syndicalist commune!"
@@HistoritorJimaldus Those communist characters are def "woke" even in this movie that came out DECADES ago before that word entered modern usage. The only reason why it works is it doesn't take itself seriously, so it loses that wokeness factor.
If only James wasn't talking over that whole scene, he might have enjoyed the joke as well.
I’ve used this quote in a couple college papers. Hell I titled one paper “help, help, I’m being repressed”
"Some moistened bint lobbed a scimitar at you..."
Your first Python experience?!?! James, mate, these guys were revolutionary and incredibly important for modern cinema. they pushed buttons eeverywhere. Watch Life of Brian and read up on the controversy, you'll understand how important of a movie this was in terms of opening doors to whats possible for cinema. (no taboos etc.)
Cannot agree more! Look also for the TV debate between Eric Idle and John Cleese on one hand, and some boring and upset bishop on the other. Hilarious.
Ah-- Life of Brian.. that movie got banned here in Norway for blasphemy, so of course the swedes advertized it as "the movie that was so funny it got banned in Norway" lol
@@kupoflupo3346 Sorry 'bout that one... / Swede ;)
@@Garmonbozia LMAO
@@Garmonbozia not Eric idle but Michael palin ( quietly fuming ) and don’t forget the bishop had not even bothered to watch the film before giving his opinion on it.
I love all the subtle jokes in this film; especially in the beginning when Arthur is arguing with the peasants who are just taking piles of dirt and putting them in other piles of dirt.
they're muck rakers!
Woman beating the cat against the wall in the 'Bring out your Dead' scene.
Then another woman doing the same thing in the 'Roger the Shrubber' scene.
'Denis, there's a lovely pile of dirt over here.'
@@cleekmaker00 We can laugh at it as a piece of background humor, but during the medieval plagues, there probably were people who did stuff like that to "banish the demons that were spreading the plague" or what have you. People tried all sorts of crazy stuff to fix it
Fun fact they could not figure out a ending so they have a “cop out” literally
I believe they also ran out of money.
It's kind of a recurring joke and method(for couldn't figure out endings for many sketches ) in the Flying circus already.
They had done it as a reoccurring joke quite a few times before Holy Grail. It is still a cop out ending, but not because they couldnt figure out how to end it
Not having a punchline for their jokes or stories is a Monty Python trope since their TV show began in 1969.
They knew what they wanted for the ending, they wanted a war against the French but they didn’t have the money
Terry Gilliam loved doing animations. He is responsible for the special effects.
The BBC didn't pay him much on Flying Circus for it, however. I think that's why he appears in sketches on that show. Of course, that led to him actually appearing on-screen in Holy Grail, as well, even though he was already co-directing and doing the animation.
My personal favorite director
Also responsible for the coconuts, don’t forget the coconuts.
Too bad he died doing what he loved...
Having a heart attack.
@@MVR3IWER He did not love having a heart attack!
Side note: neither Arthur or his knights could have killed the “famous historian” as he was the only person to have ridden a real horse
Plus, the ending is a literal “cop-out” 🤣
Hello Terry 👋
@@terrancebrown87 hello Terrance 👋🏻
**look of confusion on face**
@@terryoconnor5262 I love grapes!
@@kaylons I once force fed a bee with honey
@@terryoconnor5262 Pens!
Fun fact: this movie had two directors who alternated duties every other day and it was their first time making a movie. It could be said that the reason this movie us so unique is because they were learning to make movies while filming.
And one of them later directed 12 Monkeys and Brazil.
James could probably spend a couple of months on Terry Gilliam films.
And they were both named Terry, and both actors in the Python troupe.
That's the best way to learn anything, except defusing a bomb.
18:16 when the rabbit goes for the throat I LOSE IT everytime. I love your line "that is a level 99 rabbit, you guys are not ready to run that raid." too perfect
This movie was financed by Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin iirc, their next movie Life of Brian (serious religious overtones in its herecy) was financed by George Harrison.
Harrison after financing it said in an interview that he didn’t care if the film was a hit, he just wanted to see this script onscreen.
Harrison refinanced his home to get the movie financed.
@@emcsquared8681 were these movies a hit in the UK when they came out?
You GOTTA review "Life of Brian"!!!!
@@frightenedsoul yes.
James: "I know nothing about this movie"
Me: "This is going to be Airplane! X10 levels of 'THAT'S where that's from!"
Yep, I started salivating as soon as he said that, lol
I honestly can’t think of any film before Holy Grail that pioneered what could be the first example of ‘troll humour’ in regards to the film’s ending.
It’s so insufferable, aggravating, hilarious and perfect.
The cop-out ending might be my favorite stealth pun ever written.
It’s ‘Pythonesque’
The art of not finishing a sketch.
This really is one of the most perfect films of all time.
My favorite detail is how they all yell "RUN AWAY!!" because at this point in history, the Normans hadn't invaded Britain and thus the word 'retreat', which is originally Old French, wasn't a part of English yet. In Old English during Arthurian times you'd literally just yell run away
Wait, WHAT
I will draw no untoward conclusions from the fact that the French invented the word "retreat"
I didn’t know that! I thought that was thrown in for comedic effect.
they literally couldnt afford horses so they used coconuts instead
You've got two 'empty 'alves of coconuts and you're bangin' 'em togetha'!
Well, they could afford ONE horse. For three seconds.
According to the Pythons themselves, the coconut joke existed even before the plotline for the film was planned and before a budget had been worked out or proposed.
This is by FAR one of the best comedies out there. You’ve GOT to see Life of Brian ASAP if you loved this. Their comedy is just so brilliant
“He’s been a very naughty boy” 😂
I showed Life of Brian to people one time. A coworker asked if she could join us. She was very religious and kind of introverted, but still very kind and so of course she was invited.
It was about one minute before it happened that I remembered there is full frontal male nudity. She seemed to be enjoying it up until that point.
"We're all individuals!"
"I'm not!"
Your mother was a hamster… father smelt of elderberries…
Translation… “Your mother was promiscuous, your father was a drunk.”
The dude on the wall pronouncing 'Knight' as "Kuhniggits" is probably one of my favorite parts of this whole movie. Dude just lives in a perpetual state of effortlessly roasting people.
Co-director, animator, and playing various characters in Holy Grail is Terry Gilliam - director of Brazil and Fear and Loathing and a bunch of other stellar films.
I assume he is where the sweet framing in this movie comes from.
12 Monkeys, Grimm also
Time Bandits, Baron Munchausen, The Fisher King, Zero Therom...course The Life of Brian.
@@gggooding apparently not on the last one. Terry Jones directed Life of Brian.
@@RevStickleback good call. I just assumed they co-directed again. My mistake.
James perfectly predicted the "He hasn't got shit all over him" joke, then laughed through it and might have missed it.
"That is a level 99 rabbit, you guys are not ready to run that raid" LMAO
"I love how some of the knights that were there were the same people that were, like, the villagers." One of the defining traits of Monty Python is that six guys-Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin-play most of the main roles.
Hey, James - loved the review. Just a note: The animation was not a cost-cutting measure. Python used animation throughout its original tv series (1969-1974). Terry Gilliam is the animator/co-director of Holy Grail. He went on the direct Brazil, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and many more films. I’m a huge Monty Python fan and I hope you get around to watching Life of Brian. Thanks!
Terry Gilliam is one of my favorite directors.
Yes! "Life of Brian" next. Or "The Meaning of Life". Or maybe react to "Fawlty Towers". Aaah, Monthy Python... Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, hey ;-)
Unrelated but there was some cost saving measures that did take place, one notable point being that they couldn't afford horses which evolved into their coconut gag.
@@sardonicus1739 Yes! 👍🏼
I'd like to see James react to my favorite Gilliam move, The Fisher King :-)
Seeing someone else watch a movie you’ve seen hundreds of time since childhood is such a bizarre experience. It wasn’t until your reaction video that I saw how much our “heroes” were all just a bunch of rich guys, don quixote-ing around in their deluded state while serfs were dying from famine and plague. This is NOW. This is so current to our times it hurts bc that means nothing has changed in 50 years. *so many layers to this masterpiece*
One of my favorite things about this movie is how many jokes and creative decisions just came from the hideously low budget. The coconuts because they couldnt afford horses, not going to camelot because they couldn't rent a castle, the police arresting them at the end because they couldn't afford to do a battle scene.
The castles they see from the outside in the movie are all the same castle just from different angles. The French knights being at castle agggghhh at the end is making fun of the fact that it's technically the same castle.
I'm 48 and saw The Holy Grail first when I was 6. One of my favorite things is to watch people's reaction to this move especially when younger people are left speechless but laughing insanely.
The scene where he runs towards the castle continuously is my favourite scene, I freaking love it. When I saw it for the first time, I remember checking the Netflix subtitles during the opening to see if they were on before realizing it was part of the joke. When I showed it to my sister, she did the same thing. 😂
Kung Pow: Enter the Fist has an homage scene to this one.
@@gelsol I watched a reviewer who talked about Kung Pow and when they came to that scene the first thing he said was: that the person who directed it must been a fan of Monty Python. Kung Pow is its own unique movie that I wish other reviewers would actually review. Or maybe they've seen it already and they can't review it for the first time.
I was a Holy Grail fan and dated a Life of Brian fan. We had never really paid much attention to each other's movie until we'd gotten together. No cable meant we switched between movies every night and can both recite each movie by heart now
Awww that’s wholesome
They're both great movies. Holy Grail is really just a bunch of incredibly funny sketches with a bit of connective tissue, and feels very much like a grander version of Flying Circus. Life of Brian isn't quite as funny, but actually has a story to it.
Completely takes apart movies, the movie making process and even the movie viewing experience, and give you a good laugh along the way!
Everyone quotes Monty Python, most times without even knowing it!
"You're mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries"
Dude, you HAVE to watch the old Monty Python's Flying Circus episodes! By far the best comedy sketch show at that time!
Dead Parrot, Ministry of Silly Walks, etc, etc... Aaah... these guys, man. These guys are just super comedy masters.
@@MacSvensson One of my top favorite is The Spanish Inquisition, however The Bishop is one I love just as much. Even if it's not one that people mention.
@@dirus3142 "The Piranha Brothers" is also great, though a lot is probably lost without a knowledge of Kray Brothers.
@@stuartspencer2161 "Confuse-A-Cat" also always has me chuckling... lol Or "Hell's Grannies" rofl
@@dirus3142 I didn't expect The Spanish Inquisition.
We’re so grateful to experience this journey with you bro. Your passion for film analysis is extremely contagious, as is your warm and humble attitude. Thanks for continuing to do this both for yourself and for us. Much love
Appreciate you!!
Omg these guys are amazing. Their movies and sketches are definitely my kind of humor. The Brits got the laughs that’s for damn sure!
Haven’t started the reaction yet but I just know you’re gonna love it!
Yessss! Enjoy cause it’s a lot of fun haha!
Have you ever seen the show Brass Eye? Like a spoof version of 60 minutes from the 90’s, one of UK’s finest imo. The drugs episode is a classic
@@jobrimar8291 You're talking nonce sense..
@@jobrimar8291 Brasss Eye was brilliant
@@jobrimar8291 keyboards smelling like hammers
Iconic gets thrown around left and right, but this movie is probably the #1 most iconic movie I've ever seen
Ever. Single. Joke. can be easily referenced in literally ANY PIECE OF MEDIA ever made
Love that you’re going in cold to this one James. Welcome to Python.
Oh yeah. I think going in cold was perfect for James.
I watched another channel were the millennial girl, where a modern nerd D&D player never seen it before. It was amazing seeing her "oh my god this is were every thing is from" reaction.
Great reaction!
Don't know if you picked up on it during the "Bring out your dead!" scene, because you were talking (I'm not hatin'!), but just a few seconds after you spoke of the stark divide between nobles and peasants in that era, the sanitation man speculated that the passing Arthur "must be a king." Why? "Because he hasn't got shit all over him."
I guess insightful filmmakers just know the subtexts before they surface.
That ending was a cop out! :)
Police got the wrong guys, King Arthur and his men don't have horses, and the guy who killed the old professor did.
Really a joy to watch a first time viewer of this genius film! Thank you.
“His whole purpose in life was to be a human email!”
DUDE!!! More than you know!! For years I had *”SHHHHHHTHUUNNGGG!!! Message for you sir!!”* as my email notification sound!! And I’m hardly the only one who did that by far!! It’s a very popular sound file for that very reason!!” 🤣🤣🤣
Mine was.on my phone. I can't find it now😭😭😭
I love how the “flesh wound” and Lancelot running bits are so well known that you recognized them. 🤣
The beauty of Python is that they are incredibly literate and well versed in history, philosophy, etc., but they can mix that with slapstick and farce to create an impressive stew of satire and just plain silly humor. I agree with others here who have promoted Life of Brian (a favorite of mine) and I would add The Meaning of Life to your watch list. Also the Dead Parrot sketch, the cheese shop, the Bruce's philosophy sketch... there's just too much to Python!
I think it was Michael Palin who summed up Monty Python's humour as talking about serious things in a silly way, and talking about silly things very seriously. "Life of Brian" is generally regarded as even better than this one.
The animation style was the trademark of Terry Gilliam, who directed "Brazil". He was part of the Monty Python team, doing similar animations to link sketches for their sketch show that started in 1969.
Biggus Dickus
Not only is this movie hilarious, even its trivia page on IMDB makes my cry from laughter
This is such a brilliant film. Stay safe everyone!
You to brother!
@@JamesVSCinema
Watch Monty Python's Life of Brian.
A life is better for seeing this film.. "How do you know he's the king?" "He's the only one who doesn't have sh!t on him" - so fitting with your commentary lol
I’m so glad you appreciated this movie. So many reactions were just “wtf did I just watch”. I saw it when I was a naïve 14 year old and seen it a gazillion times since. It just gets better each time. Of course, Life of Brian is now a must.
Each Monty Python movie have a half dozen documentaries written about there making and impact, these guys went on to act as the backbone for basically the entire British comedy and filmmaking scenes for decades not to mention there influences overseas. One of those rare times a group comes together where everyone is equally exceptional in there various crafts and they just go absolutely ham.
The Python's are on record saying this filming was filled with problems and they didn't enjoy it at all. You'd never know that with how great it came out. This and Life of Brian are maybe my 2 favorite comedy films of all time.
Clicked so fast!! Can't wait to see your reaction xx
Woo! ❤️
Monty Python created an entire genre of humor. They are the reigning kings to this day. The absurdity of what they do goes so far beyond next level that it's just pure damn genius. Every single one of them is top notch. You gotta do Life of Brian next.
-everybody watching this: cracking up because of the jokes
-James: that camera angle is dope
😅
Well, he didn't hear any of the jokes. He spoke over them all!
@@tanisdevelopment I said it in other comment... do you realize that this video is edited, right? 🤦
1. I first saw this at a drive-in (Still there BTW)😎
2. In the credits they talk about the moose.
3. Perfect Monty Python where you can just get sucked into something where you don't have to think about anything and just let yourself go.
4. "What ya gonna do? Bleed on me." 🤣
5. The only real horse in this thing was the one ridden by the professor killer.
6. The reason for using coconuts was budgetary. Horses are expensive. Especially in entertainment.
5. The ending is a "cop out"
This is the British "Airplane!" movie. Instead of spoofing 1970s disaster films, it spoofed the Arthurian legends in the way only the Monty Python guys can do. Also, it's my experience that people either love Monty Python humor or hate it, no in-between. I'm glad that you liked it.
Their TV show, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, was doing this fourth wall breaking back in 1969.
And seeing Terry Gilliam’s Python animations let you see Brazil in a new light.
Dude. Talked through the Lady of the Lake bit. What the hell?
i love the line "how'd you know he was the king" the replay was" because he hasn't got shit on him" was a joke in several ways the dirty peasants line and also for like the movie trope of good guys were white hats and bad guys wear black the kings is clean
also life of Brian is a favorite i love python they all came from tv so thats why it kinda feels like a collection of skits tied together
I love that literal cop out ending. Brilliant
I have the audio from the scene of Concord getting shot with the arrow as my text notification. So many great lines in this movie!
Such a great movie, one of my all time favourites.
I remember going to our local theater when this first came out. On opening day, everyone who came to see the movie was given a coconut. The coconuts were handed out from a mini Trojan rabbit in the lobby.
The budget for this movie was £2million but that only increased the comedy value for me, coconuts being my first example 🤣👍🇬🇧
The 'It's just a model' line is one of my favourite lines in the movie
@@mikester4896 the “I have to push the pram a lot” after the “I have ham and jam and spam a lot” gets me every time
This was Terry Gilliam's first full length feature film as director (he also played Patsy)! He was the only American member of the Monty Python comedy group, and later went on to direct Time Bandits, Brazil, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vega (among half a dozen other great films like The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, and The Fisher King).
Cool that you like the hand drawn stuff. It’s by Terry Gilliam, the guy that directed Brazil.
And Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
And 12 Monkeys
“ I fart in your general direction “ 😂
This is such a great example of multilayered jokes that hit you hours later as you think more about them.
Terry Jones the Director of this movie (and also the actor who played Beneviere) was an Oxford trained medieval historian as well as an actor and held until his death that this movie was the most accurate portrayal of real every day life in medieval England.
Saying that, nobody would have been able to pay "ninepence" to have a relative taken away on a cart. It would have been the equivalant of about £800 in today's money.
The Lads in Monty Python are so awesome they get their own category in Comedy History.
I think you're the first person I've seen go in blind to react to this and not go "wait, they don't get the grail" at the end. Everyone else always tries to process this like a typical linear Hollywood movie. You're the first one I've seen to catch on to what it is and just roll with it.
Well, their quest wasn't to FIND the grail, it was to SEEK the grail.
It's Chinatown, JJ.
This is one if the most iconic comedies ever made. Monty Python was a small group of British (and one American) writers/comedians who wrote and performed in a variety of British tv shows before getting together and doing their own show Monty Pythons Flying Circus. They did a series of movies next, this being the first. They had no budget so made that part of the joke. The next movie "Life of Brian" is brilliant. And yeah "It's but a flesh wound" came from this.
The French Taunter scene, the British and French have had ages of territorial disputes. So, no surprise the French Taunter is, well, such a jerk.
King Arthur - "What are you doing in England?"
French Taunter - "Mind your own business!"
Just to add a little more context; the inspiration for that scene comes from actual historical accounts of "taunters" who would be employed to hurl insults at the enemy prior to medieval battles; similar to trash talking between Boxers today.
Apparently it was an unenviable job, since it made them a prime target for the enemy when the fighting got underway.
Oh yeah. I love the tavern scene in A Knight Tale for similar reasons. Our characters are English getting in an argument with the French rivals.
The French end a taunt with and the Pope is French!
The level headed English characters stands up in anger, The Pope may be French, but Jesus is English! Bar fight commences.
One really fun detail about the rabbit scene and perhaps some other inspirations. In medieval manuscripts killer rabbit doodles in the margins were actually a thing. Most historians consider it to be a common joke from the scribes from the time period. If anyone's interested in more info google the history of killer rabbits in manuscripts. I think that point is a good way to illustrate the sophistication employed. They found an actual joke from midieval times and made it work well.
Keep in mind that the guy who directed this directed Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as well. Gilliam’s direction is next level.
During one of the first screenings of this movie in front of a live audience, co-writer and co-director Terry Jones noticed that when music was played during the jokes, there was a marked reduction of laughter from the audience. He went back and edited the music out whenever a punchline was delivered. At subsequent screenings, he noticed a dramatic increase in the audiences' positive reactions to the jokes. From that point on, whenever he directed, he remembered to stop the music for the funny parts.
If it seems impressive for 1978, it should be even more impressive since it was actually 1975.
One of the popular themes in medieval manuscript doodle/illustrations was subverting daily occurrences such as reversing hunting by illustrating the rabbits hunting the humans instead (sometimes in fairly graphic detail) so the idea of the killer bunny may have actually been inspired by that and not just a totally random choice which is a super cool detail if it was done deliberately.
Probably one of the best reactions to "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" that I've ever seen. You really 100% get this movie. The same comedy troupe who did this movie did their take on a religious epic with "Monty Python's Life of Brian". I think that one would TOTALLY be up your alley, as well. Just a warning, it *fully* uses it's R-rating.
"The framing of these shots is really well done."
Yeah, well they had to do something to hide the fact that they were all the one interior of the same castle!
That mud collecting peasant going on an anti-authoritarian political rant always cracks me up.
One joke which I didn't realise till it was pointed out to me is that the music when the screen goes black at the end is the same music used for the intermission earlier in the film.
When originally being shown in a cinema there would have been an actual intermission when it first played, so people in the cinema would have quite possibly thought it was a second intermission.
This is also why the credits are at the start of the film so it really does just stop suddenly.
Great reaction. lol - no. The portrayal of "filth" in the "bring out your dead" scene - complete with people literally wallowing in the muck for want of anything else to do - was an extreme exaggeration for comedic effect that plays on one of the more common myths about the age despite the written and physical evidence tot he contrary. The scene in the courtyard of Swamp Castle (before Lancelot bloodies it up) is much closer to the reality. (edited b/c I dropped a couple of words).
I know mel brooks is the american king of 4th wall breaks but in england it was for sure monty python, my favorite group of comedians ever!
James, you have to watch Life of Brian! If you loved Holy Grail, you would love that one too. Thanks for sharing your first time experience with this classic with us, it was a joy to see someone make the discovery. :)
Monty Python was an English Comedy group. They did movies and had TV shows and specials. They set the standard for what we know today as "British Humor".
You should watch life of Brian next 😅😅
And 'The Jabberwocky', seriously funny film!
Thank you James. Seeing you laugh at the same things I've laughed at is uplifting. Your knowledge of cinema adds a whole lot. Laughter is so good and so important, and I'm sure you made a lot of people feel great too from watching this. Peace!
This has been one of my favorite movies since I saw it when I was about 10 or so. I recently showed it to my 9 year old grandson and he loved it even though he didn’t “get it.”
“NE!!!!!!!” 😂👍
@@laurettelaliberte8864 me too!👍😂
@@laurettelaliberte8864 nope, born and raised in Illinois
As a fantasy/history nerd raised by OG D&D/medieval re-creationists this move is such a part of my DNA that the concept that someone had never heard of it blows my mind. I was quoting it as a tiny child before I ever saw it, it was just steeped I'm my personal culture
Love getting to see someone experience it for the first time.
personal belief that this is better than Life of Brian, great vid 👍
First time I saw this movie, I never looked at rabbits the same. That scene is one of my favorites of all times.
The life of Bryan and the meaning of life are also great films by them.
(Always look on the bright side of life will be played at my funeral if I have my way)
On the one hand, it was a shame you had no knowledge of the fact that they were a popular British tv sketch show long before making this; and yet on the other hand getting to watch you take your first taste of this epoch of British hilarity and of these geniuses through this paragon of silliness, is priceless for us all. Thank you
Blessed be thy holy hand grenade!
The holy Grenade *throws at rabbit*
“5 is right out!”
My absolute favourite Monty Python scetch is "the ministry of silly walks". You can find it here on TH-cam. Choose the longest version. It's beyond hilarious.
Dead Parrot .... Spanish Inquisition .... So many!
@@jamesalexander5623 "fawlty Towers" had some great Shows, too.
You've missed most of the gags and dialogue by only focusing on the cinematography. Shame.
So many iconic gags in this movie.
I watched Terry Gilliam's Jabberwocky some months ago after finding it on blu ray on a shelf, not as consistent as Holy grail but still full of fun scenes. He gave the main role to Palin.
You gotta do 'Time Bandits' soon, directed by Terry Gilliam and featuring other Pythons and British actors like Ian Holm and Sean Connery, when I was 10 it was my favourite movie.
I wanna say the scene where there is on going build-up to Lancelot storming the castle (14:50) is referenced in a few movies, but off the top of the dome…. “Kung-Pow Enter the Fist” nailed it.
Love this, but Life of Brian is my favorite! I miss this type of humour nowadays.