Monty Python’s Almost The Truth: The
Lawyers Cut
Shock DVD
R4
As
you know the Synergy team has always loved Monty Python, they were a focus of
our 2009 Comedy issue and hence we were thrilled to hear a truly definitive
documentary series was on the way. Monty Python’s Almost The Truth is the
ultimate guide to Monty Python issued on the 40th anniversary of the TV series
Monty Python’s Flying Circus. The heart of the 3 DVD or 2 Blu Ray set is six
hour long documentaries which cover all aspects of Monty Python including the
series, movies, records and shows. The first episode covers the life of each of
the members as well as early pre-Python shows such as The Frost Report, At Last
the 1948 Show and so on. We also get some real insight into the early lives of each
the unique individuals which make up Monty Python and how they met and came to
work together.
In
the second episode we learn about the first three series of the TV show and how
it began in near obscurity and yet developed into a major cult comedy phenomenon.
We learn about the development of their unique approach to comedy, their use of
surrealism and their battles against censorship as the BBC became more
concerned about the content of their programs. We certainly come to appreciate
the uniqueness of Monty Python and how they changed the face of comedy forever;
in many ways it is reasonable to classify comedy as before and after Python !
The
third episode discusses the clashes that occurred amid members of the team at
between the third and the fourth season
which went ahead without John Cleese. Monty Python had always been a group of
extremely odd, eccentric and unusual individuals and this came to a head when
John Cleese became convinced that the series was becoming stale, this was of
course not helped by Graham Chapman’s ongoing problems with alcohol stemming
from issues relating to his own sexuality. I especially like the way that the
series allows each of the surviving members (and Chapman’s partner David Sherlock)
to discuss their own views of the clash and offer different perspectives on the
problems that occurred. The honesty of the series, especially in this episode,
is impressive.
For
me what is amazing is not the clash between members (what would one expect
between such creative individuals) but the amount they were able to create in
such a short time; four seasons, multiple records (and later CDs), movies and
more.
Episodes
four and five examine the various films which made Monty Python a household
name from The Holy Grain to Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life. This is
followed by reflections on the Python experience and lots more.
The
documentaries are superbly made including interviews with all the surviving
members, Graham Chapman via older interviews and his partner, the Python team
and a bevy of comedians and fans. There is rare footage, fascinating memories
and lots of new content not seen in other documentaries. At the same time we
get insight into the history of British comedy from its earliest days with The
Goons to later developments. Since members of the team worked with so many
major comedians from The Two Ronnies to The Goodies we get to hear from all of
them as well.
The
third DVD offers a superb collection of extras including extended interviews
with a focus on the early years of the Python team and classic sketches such as
the Fish Slapping Dance, Lumberjack Song, The Spanish Inquisition, Dead Parrot
and many others. From the Cutting Room Floor offers all sorts of content
including the Origins of Fawlty Towers to Elvis was a Python Fan, Origins of
the Cheese Shop to The Hendon Sketch.
This
is certainly the definitive Python documentary series, offering a comprehensive
guide to Monty Python (as well as English comedy) with lots of fascinating
extras.
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This review will appear in Volume 2 No.6 (2009) of the digital and
print edition of Synergy Magazine.
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