Blu-ray Review: Extras-Packed Edition of ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’

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CHICAGO – Is “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” still as popular as it was when I was in college? For years there, “Holy Grail” and “Meaning of Life” were on constant rotation in dorm rooms around the country. Now you’ll have to pester the guy on your floor who has a Blu-ray player since the Monty Python gang have finally hit HD in all their hysterical glory. Packed with bonus features, this is one of the best comedy Blu-rays of the year to date.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

Want to know why “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” has been on constant rotation for nearly four decades? Just watch five minutes of it. The movie would be one of the funniest of 2012 if it were released today. It’s nearly perfect, featuring the super-talented comedians who called themselves Monty Python at or at least near their creative peak. There are so many timeless, hysterical scenes in “Holy Grail” that the oft-quoted aspect of the film may have actually diminished its reputation. You’ll often hear the film quoted — “I’m not dead yet” being a favorite of mine in high school — but when films become such a part of the pop culture fabric they often get dismissed under the “cult comedy” banner. Don’t dismiss “Holy Grail.” It’s one of the funniest movies ever made.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail was released on Blu-ray on March 6, 2012
Photo credit: Sony

The Blu-ray edition includes three exclusive features — “The Holy Book of Days: Second Screen Experience,” which allows iPad owners to follow along interactively, and the self-explanatory “Lost Animations with Introduction by Terry Gilliam” and “Outtakes and Extended Scenes with Introduction by Terry Jones.” I LOVED the animations but I’m kind of a Gilliam nut (at least until “Tideland”). I’m sad to report that while I have a number of toys in my house and office, including every gaming system, an iPad is not one of them. However, I love the idea of increased interactivity between a fan and his favorite movie (even if you should be aware that the app costs another $4.99). So “The Holy Book fo Days” seems like a pretty-cool feature even if I can’t say so for sure.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail was released on Blu-ray on March 6, 2012 Photo credit: Sony

And that’s really just a bonus to the stellar bonus material that has been imported from previous editions including commentaries, sing-along songs, and even a LEGO featurette. It’s a great collection for a great movie. I’m not sure if college kids are still singing along to “Holy Grail” or laughing at killer rabbits or farting in your general direction. They should be.

Synopsis:
Once in a lifetime there comes a motion picture that changes the whole history of motion pictures. A picture so stunning in its effect, so vast in its impact that it profoundly affects the lives of those who see it.

That picture might well be Monty Python & The Holy Grail, and this we promise is definitely, positively its very last and ultimate edition. Re-mastered for Blu-ray high definition standards with picture and sound so clear that, as King Arthur and his Knights search for the Holy Grail, you can experience every severed limb, killer rabbit, coconut and shrubbery as never before.

Special Features:
o The Holy Book of Days Second Screen Experience
o Lost Animations With Introduction By Terry Gilliam
o Outtakes And Extended Scenes With Introduction By Terry Jones
o Scintillating Commentaries By Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones and Even More Revealing Commentaries by John Cleese, Eric Idle and Michael Palin
o Quest For The Holy Grail Locations With Michael Palin & Terry Jones
o Lego Knights: The Knights of the Round Table in LEGO
o Special Japanese Version
o How To Use Your Coconuts (An Educational Film)
o BBC Film Night On Location
o Three Songs To Sing-Along
o Cast Directory Photo Gallery

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com