It’s a comparison that’s been made before, and it’s quite apt: Monty Python is a bit like the Beatles.
The comedy troupe was groundbreaking. The Pythons changed the territory and altered the horizons of comedy. And the group’s members hit on a creative synergy that was powerful beyond the sum of its parts.
And, like the Beatles, the Pythons created work that lives on and is continually discovered by new generations of fans. The Parrot Sketch will never cease to be…hilarious.
All of which ensures that this documentary series—essentially a funnier version of “The Beatles Anthology”—has a built-in audience of fans both young and old. And viewers won’t be disappointed.
Originally aired on the Independent Film Channel, “Monty Python: The Lawyer’s Cut” features extensive and honest interviews with each of the group’s member minus the dearly departed Graham Chapman, who weighs in with abundant archival footage.
The group’s pre-history is thoroughly detailed in the early sections, which include tantalizing clips from pre-Python TV work on various British series, such as “The Frost Report” and “Do Not Adjust Your Set.” From there, the members discuss the origins and high- and low-points of each subsequent Python project, including the “Flying Circus” TV series and all the films: “The Holy Grail,” “The Life of Brian” and “Meaning of Life,” with detours to discuss the group’s LP records (that’s how I first got into the group) and other assorted projects.
Members discuss challenges—including personality conflicts (particularly between Terry Jones and John Cleese) and Chapman’s alcoholism—but in a very honest and forgiving way. Nobody seems to be holding any grudges.
Along with the Python’s there are a number of interviews with supporting players such as Carol Cleveland and Neil Innes and, I guess for the sake of perspective, chats with current comics such as Steve Coogan (quite good) and Russell Banks (completely bonkers), Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson (???) and Olivia Harrison, who talks about husband George’s love for and financial support of the troupe.
All in all, it’s all very well done and entertaining. However, I must say I hated the cod-Python opening credits for each ep, which are far more annoying than funny. Fast forward those bits to get to the good stuff.
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