I remember the first time I saw Monty Python and the Holy Grail, is was on a winter’s evening when the film came on to BBC2 and I loved it, being a fan of the Monty Python TV series and the films, I was wanted to get the chance to see the films on the big screen and this year I got to see one of them.

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the Scala Cinema in Prestatyn, showed the movie for one night and the version shown was the sing-a-long version, yes version with animated lyrics for the audience to join in and, well, sing-a-long.

Although the lyrics to the songs were probably not needed as the majority of Monty Python fans know the music from the film off by heart, such songs as Camelot Song (Knights of the Round Table) and Sir Robin’s Song, but it was nice to see this version of the film on the big screen.

And there lies the experience of The Holy Grail on the big screen, it’s not so much the chance to see it on a bigger screen that what you would have at home or even the chance to get the cinema film experience, no, the experience is very much like seeing the live Monty Python performance that was beamed to cinemas across the country last year, the chance to laugh, and sing, with other Python fans.

Yes you do get those that go and see the film, see what the fuss is about and sit there saying, “I dont’ get it” and “wha a stupid film”, but isn’t that the point of the Holy Grail it is silly, very silly, it’s ……. Monty Python!

The second feature film from the Pythons team not only redefined the limits of narrative structure (basically by ignoring them), but also took innovative and unconventional styles of filming and applied them to comedy. The movie sends up costume picture clichés, mythic heroism, educational films, and even subtitles – nonsense rendered with a Swedish accent (“Mynd you, møøse bites kan be pretti nasti.”)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail Synopsis

Monty Python is on a medieval quest in their first feature film Monty Python and The Holy Grail. England 932 A.D and King Arthur (Graham Chapman) accompanied by his trusty servant Patsy (Terry Gilliam) is seeking Knights to join his Round Table at Camelot. Arthur confronts two guards preoccupied with swallows, argues with a group of constitutional peasants, challenges a Black Knight who comes apart at the seams and witnesses the outing of a witch before enrolling his first knight, Bedevere the Wise (Terry Jones).

Other knights follow: Sir Lancelot the Brave (John Cleese), Sir Galahad the Pure (Michael Palin) and the not-quite-so-brave Sir Robin (Eric Idle). Avoiding the singing dancers of Camelot, Arthur and his Knights are inspired by God to quest together for the Holy Grail.

But taunted and humiliated by the French, they decide go their separate ways. Sir Robin is confronted by a Three-Headed Knight, Sir Lancelot hacks his way through a wedding to save a damsel in distress, Arthur and Bedevere, warned by a Soothsayer, meet the shrubbery loving Knights of Ni while Sir Galahad almost falls to the temptation of the virgins of Castle Anthrax.

The Knights join up again and after an arduous journey encounter Tim the Enchanter who leads them to the cave, guarded by a foul creature, wherein an ancient inscription reveals the whereabouts of the Grail. The Bridge of Death claims its victims and only Arthur and Bedevere reach the final resting place of the Holy Grail, only to be thwarted by old adversaries.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail …. Ni

I have to say that I loved seeing the film on the big screen with other Python fans and you could tell who they were as they joined in with songs and even said the catchphrases and lines along with the actors on the screen, yes I was doing that as well.

The movie does show its age though, but that is probably down to the budget that the Python’s had to make the movie, it did seem a little grainy, but hey who cares, I finally got to see it on the big screen, which is good enough for me.

So thank you Scala for putting the movie on, now all we need is screenings for Life of Brian, The Meaning of Life and Live at the Hollywood Bowl.

Karen Woodham

Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.

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