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50 years ago, Monty Python and the Holy Grail made its debut in theatres.
The first original film by the Pythons, Holy Grail has gone on to achieve a near-legendary status as comedy film royalty. And it was with this film that the troupe launched into international stardom.
Prior to the release of the film, the name Monty Python was better associated with their BBC sketch series, Monty Python's Flying Circus. It was on the show that the trademark absurdist humour that defined their style was solidified. Sketches such as "The Ministry of Silly Walks" and the "Dead Parrot Sketch" would become a part of the essential Python canon.
Holy Grail took the energy of the sketches and let it run wild for a full 90 minutes. Over these past many years, the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table has become almost essential viewing in the wider context of British pop culture and comedy.
Released back in 1975 and directed by Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam, the film continues to have such a hold over pop culture. The Python's jokes are simply silly. It's because of this that the film has continued to be quoted and referenced into near oblivion. The sheer ridiculousness of arguing over the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow is both highly memorable and very funny.
Back before the troupe made it big outside of Britain, even making the film seemed like an uphill battle. To finance the project, Python member Eric Idle revealed they had to ask fellow Brits Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd for funding. The success of the film led to other projects, including Monty Python's Life of Brian, The Meaning of Life, and the Tony-winning musical Spamalot.
Part of the enjoyment of the film comes from the fact that the jokes lead more to the "after-effect" of humour. While watching for the first time, the comedic appeal of gags such as The Nights Who Say Ni is more to laugh, not because you find it particularly amusing, but more in question of what am I watching? It's only after you turn off the film and continue on with your day that you sit down and suddenly remember moments like the Holy Hand Grenade that you then find yourself laughing aloud.
Nowadays, one might recall moments such as The Black Knight as a reference laughed at by college classmates, but it's always important to look back on the seminal works that helped to define a genre. It's a true feat that Monty Python and the Holy Grail continues to make people laugh, even 50 years later.
Going back and experiencing the film again (and maybe again) either as your first or hundredth time, is a good way to mark the occasion. To those looking to celebrate in a bit more style, the film will be re-released in 4k on August 26th to honor the 50th anniversary.
