Disclaimer: Although Monty Python and the Holy Grail is officially rated PG it includes elements that may lead it to be PG-13 or R-rated by modern standards. Viewer discretion is advised.
I watched “Monty Python and The Holy Grail” for the first time recently.
The story follows King Arthur of the Britains as he “rides” his “horse” across the landscape. He comes to a castle looking for help but is insulted by Frenchman until he rides away. He meets knights of which he appoints to be his knights of the round table and the knights of Camelot. From there on God gives them the task to seek out and collect the Holy Grail, upon a disagreement, they split up. Throughout the mini-stories to their reunion, small animated drawings are seen making the title for the chapters and providing extra humor and/or exposition.
The first chapter following the split follows Sir Robin, in this scene Robin is seen being escorted by a group of men who sing of the current predicament, which is begrudged by Robin. This group happens upon the three headed knight. Whilst the Three heads of the knight argue about what to do, eventually landing on killing Sir Robin and then having tea and biscuits, Sir Robin and his men run away.
From there we see the tale of Sir Galahad, who finds himself drawn to Castle Anthrax by a Grail-shaped beacon adorning its top. Castle Anthrax is full of Nun like figures who try to tempt Sir Galahad, but before he gets caught fully in the teeth of temptation Sir Lancelot and his men manage to break their way through and remove him from the grip of the treacherous temptress.
After this is the Tale of Sir Lancelot before he rescues Galahad. In it Lancelot crashes a wedding trying to save who he thinks is the king’s daughter being forced to be married, when it is actually the Kings son, in this rampage he stabs and mutilates many multiple wedding goers, including the Bride.
After this we cut back to Arthur as he encounters the knights who say “Ni” and follow a short quest to appease them, and all the knights reunite.
They meet Tim the pyromancer, who leads them on their quest, to the cave of which the location of the holy grail is etched, at the mouth of which the killer rabbit lives. After killing several men, the Killer Rabbit is killed by the Holy Hand grenade of Antioch. Arthur and the remaining knights continue through the cave and find the message, but the author has died while making it, saying the Grail is located in the Castle Arrrrrggggggg. Following this, the animated Monster, “Legendary Black Beast,” chases them killing Brother Maynard, but disappears as the animator suffers a fatal heart attack.
Next the remaining knights are taken to the bridge of death, where sir Lancelot crosses with three easy questions, Sir Robin is too arrogant and is given a hard question he cannot answer, and Galahad fails from indecisiveness. Arthur is given a difficult question but replies with another question which tricks the bridge guard and leads to his death. Arthur and Bedevere cross the bridge, but are unable to locate Lancelot because he has been detained by the police.
The two continue their way to the Castle Aarrgh but are repelled by a manure shower and insults from the Frenchman from earlier. An army appears behind them and they run to take the Castle Aarrgh but are stopped by police vehicles stopping in front of them. They detain Arthur and Bedevere, and the movie abruptly ends as a police officer grabs the camera.
I believe this movie, while potentially a bit confusing in parts, is a good movie with good jokes if you understand them. I would recommend this movie. 4.5/5
