The Best Of Monty Python's Flying Circus

Written by: Ixistant

Monty Python. Say that word to any red blooded British man and he’ll know what you’re talking about. And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, then my oh my, are you uneducated. Allow me to enlighten you.

Monty Python was a comedy show that was on in the 70’s that had random, and I mean REALLY random, sketches that the members of the Monty Python team came up with. The team was made up of Michael Palin, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam. Between them, they revolutionised the face of comedy as we know it, with such sketches as the “Ex Parrot�, “The Lumberjack Song� and it even went as far as to produce three movies ('The Holy Grail', 'The Life Of Brian' and 'The Meaning Of Life') and a musical ('Spamalot'). And in this review, I shall be looking at the DVD box set 'The Best Of Monty Python’s Flying Circus'.

The box set consists of four discs: 'The Best Of Monty Python Vol. 1-3' and 'Monty Python: Live At Aspen'. The first three discs contain the sketches from the show, and may I say they are fantastic sketches, although it does miss out some of the classics like the 'Fish Slap Dance Sketch'... Here is a brief overview of each of the first three DVD’s:

Vol. 1

Disc One is the funniest disc of the three, in my opinion, as it contains such classic sketches as 'The Lumberjack Song', 'Bicycle Repair Man' and 'Storytime' (which is my personal favourite). This disc also has a bit at the end, which is the famous 'Ex Parrot Sketch' that was once even copied by Baroness Margaret Thatcher.

Vol. 2

Like Disc One, Disc Two is oozing with funniness, and that's no wonder, seeing how it contains 'The Spanish Inquisition', 'Déjà vu', 'The Ministry Of Silly Walks' and 'Déjà vu'.

Vol. 3

Compared to the other two discs, Disc Three is quite weak, with its only funny sketches being 'The Highwayman Dennis Moore' and 'Whicker Island'. Although, this is just my opinion, so others may disagree.

In the fourth disc, you are given the opportunity to view a live interview with all of the Pythons- even Graham Chapman’s urn attends it! Also on that disc is a special program that was made for the BBC’s Monty Python Night entitled 'Pythonland', in which Michael Palin visits the places where some of the most unforgettable sketches took place, like the 'New Cooker Sketch' and the beach where the very first 'It’s…' man was filmed. The disc also has the sketches that were made for the Monty Python night, like John Cleese’s announcement booth slowly being turned into American Airlines Gate 33 and a special South Park version of the 'Ex Parrot' sketch.

Well, that’s all there is. Out of 10, I give this box set an eight. It combines the funniest moments from the series with a look at how the team have come along in the last 18 years. So, my message to you. Buy it! Otherwise you shall face the wrath of… THE SPANISH INQUISITION!!!