Monty Python Videos and DVD

Director: Ian McNaughton

Cast: The entire Monty Python gang

My Views: A re-filmimg of many of the most popular sketches from the 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' television series. It's almost a 'Greatest Hits' film, featuring, among others, 'The Dead Parrot', 'Nudge Nudge', 'The Lumberjack', The UpperClass Twit of the Year' and 'The Hungarian Phrasebook'. Definitely worth owning, especially if you don't get to catch the series often on PBS. It's available in both VHS and DVD formats.

Director: Terry Gilliam

Cast: The entire Monty Python gang

My Views: The classic Monty Python film. If you're walking down the street and overhear a random Python quote, odds are it's something from the Holy Grail. If you havn't worn out at least one copy of this tape by repeated viewings, you have no right to call yourself a fan. It's available in normal VHS, widescreen VHS and DVD formats.

Director: Terry Jones

Cast: The entire Monty Python gang

My Views: Probably the strongest of the Python films even though it never matched the cult following of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It lacks the zaniness of the Grail and concentrates on a more mature type of humor. 100% guaranteed to piss off anybody without a sense of humor about religion. Worth seeing multiple times for that reason alone. Show it to your friends to see how they react.

Note: The original release was taken out of production for a brief period, but re-released in 1998. The film is now available in VHS format, VHS Widesreen, DVD and a SPECIAL EDITION DVD. The DVD version include a LOT of extras and added scenes, so if you've got a DVD player, they're the versions to get.

Director: Terry Hughes

Cast: The entire Monty Python gang, with Carol Cleveland and Neil Innes

My Views: Another 'Monty Python's Greatest Hits' film, this time capturing a live stage performance. Features some great impromptu gibes with the audience and some unique bits that never appeared anywhere else. Sadly, this tape is now out of print. Hopefully it will re-emerge on DVD sometime soon. In the meantime, if you absolutely must have a copy, check your local video rental shops or on-line auctions looking for a used tape.

Director: Terry Jones

Cast: The entire Monty Python gang et al

My Views: The most musical of the Monty Python films, it's got some of the gangs most memorable and hilarious movie scenes. The restaurant scene and the 'Every Sperm is Sacred' production numbers are the real highlights, but every scene is good. Only the demented minds of the Pythons could have come up with 'Christmas in Heaven' and 'Live Organ Transplants'. This film is available on VHS and on DVD.

Note: This is a two-tape package of 'And Now for Something Completely Different' and 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'. It's only available on VHS, not DVD

Director: Mark Redhead

Cast: The entire Python gang

My Views: A documentary look back on the first 20 years of Python, includes some great stories and previously unseen footage. Sadly, it's the last Python project that included the late Graham Chapman. A must see. Like the Hollywood Bowl film, this tape too is out of print and not easily available. Try on-line auctions or local video rental stores to obtain a copy.

Note: This video is the two 'lost' German Episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus. It's only available mail order from Guerilla Films. You can visit the Fliegender Zirkus website for details.

Director:

Cast: The entire Monty Python gang et al

My Views: This tape will be released on October 31st and is complete BBC Monty Python 30th Anniversary show. It'll include all the new sketches, lost footage and special tributes. I'll have a complete review when I see it after the release, but it's available for pre-order now. This film is available on VHS.