The Life of Python

Buy This Item The Life of Python by A&E Home Video  Available from Amazon  $19.95  on 11-29-2008     And now for Monty Python fans who think they have seen everything, the BBC commemorates the 30th anniversary of the debut of <I>Monty Python's Flying Circus</I> with this treasure trove of new sketches performed by the Pythons (minus spoilsport Eric Idle, and, of course, ex-Python Graham Chapman); new interviews with all the surviving members; classic clips; and recently discovered and rarely seen Python material unearthed from the BBC archives. Volume 1, <i>It's the Monty Python Story</i>, is a sketchy history, recalling the highs (the first two seasons of the groundbreaking TV series and <I>The Life of Brian</I>) and the lows (the death of Chapman, who in a poignant clip from his memorial service is eulogized by John Cleese as a "freeloading bastard"). Volume 2 really delivers the goods, including a long-lost 10-minute film Monty Python created for the 1971 Pan-European May Day Festival. Michael Palin spoofs his travel shows by giving viewers a tour of "Pythonland." He revisits the actual locations where such classic Python sketches as the Ministry of Silly Walks and the Fish Slapping Dance were filmed. <I>South Park</I> creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone offer an animated tribute (the Dead Kenny sketch), while Meatloaf goes behind the music to reveal the inspiration behind the Python's most memorable songs. Volume 3 contains "The Lost German Episode" of <i>Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus</i>, which was created for German television (don't worry; it's in English) and has never been broadcast in the United States. This is comedy's equivalent to a surviving-Beatles reunion, and though the new sketches and animations are hit and miss, it is heartening to see that the Pythons are still loony after all these years. It is a particular pleasure to see the Gumbys banging bricks once again. And Python sexpot Carol Cleveland is holding up rather well, if you know what I mean, say no more, nudge nudge. <I>--Donald Liebenson</I> Reader Reviews I LOVE Monty Python. I have several of their specials taped off the TV. So when I saw Life of Python available on DVD, I jumped @ it. It wasn't really the one I wanted. Monty Python tends to make a lot of minor changes to each of their shows, so that people will buy more than one version trying to get the one they remember. But all in all I was very happy with my purchase.

The Life of Python Available from Amazon Price: $19.95 Updated on 11-29-2008.

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