There are few things in life as delightfully absurd as Monty Python. Whether it’s a man arguing about an argument at an "argument clinic", a knight who refuses to yield despite losing all his limbs, or a song about always looking on the bright side of life while being crucified—Python’s comedy is unmistakable, unpredictable, and, above all, unforgettable.
For me, Monty Python has been more than just a source of laughter. Their unique blend of surrealism, satire, and sheer silliness has shaped the way I think, joke, and even view the world. From the first time I stumbled upon Monty Python and the Holy Grail, I was hooked. Their ability to poke fun at authority, question convention, and embrace the ridiculous has stayed with me, influencing my sense of humour, my taste in comedy, and even my approach to problem-solving.
This is probably going to be one of my longest blog posts, and honestly, it has to be. Summing up Monty Python’s impact in just a few paragraphs would be impossible. From Flying Circus to Life of Brian, their work is so vast and varied that it demands a deep dive. I’ll be sharing some of my favourite sketches, songs, and moments—each one a perfect example of their wit, madness, and genius.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Where better to begin than with the film that introduced me to Monty Python in the first place? In the this section, I’ll talk about Monty Python and the Holy Grail—a film that turns the Arthurian legend into complete chaos, features some of the most quotable lines in comedy, and convinced me that coconuts make perfectly good horse hooves.
I first watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail when I was about 11 or 12, and it immediately became one of my favourite films. The film’s wit, surreal storytelling, and unapologetic absurdity resonated deeply with me, shaping my sense of humour and appreciation for satire.
In the next few paragraphs I’ll explore the film’s comedic genius, starting with one of its most memorable musical moments—the song Knights of the Round Table—before diving into some of the funniest scenes and how they influenced my comedic sensibilities.
The Knights of the Round Table
This is one of the most iconic moments in the film, which perfectly encapsulates Monty Python’s ability to mix high fantasy with lowbrow humour. The song, performed when King Arthur and his knights arrive at Camelot, is a gleefully ridiculous parody of chivalric ideals. The knights boast of their supposed nobility and bravery, yet their lyrics quickly devolve into the absurd, revealing that they “eat ham and jam and spam a lot.” The accompanying dance sequence is delightfully over-the-top, with knights performing ridiculous choreography, including bizarre high-kicks and synchronised clapping.
The moment is made even funnier by the abrupt ending, where Arthur, having watched the spectacle unfold, simply declares, “On second thought, let’s not go to Camelot. It is a silly place.” The self-awareness of this scene, in which the film mocks its own genre conventions, is a perfect example of Monty Python’s brand of comedy. It refuses to take itself seriously, even in moments that traditionally demand grandeur.
My Favourite Scenes
While the Knights of the Round Table song is a comedic gem, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is packed with equally brilliant moments. Below are some of my personal favourites, each of which exemplifies different aspects of Python’s wit.
The Black Knight: A Lesson in Stubbornness
Arthur’s duel with the Black Knight is one of the film’s most iconic scenes. The Black Knight, guarding a seemingly unimportant bridge, refuses to let Arthur pass. As Arthur engages him in combat, he progressively dismembers his opponent—first an arm, then another, then both legs—yet the Black Knight continues to fight, calling it “just a flesh wound.”
The sheer ridiculousness of this moment is what makes it so hilarious. It’s a perfect blend of physical comedy and verbal absurdity, as the Black Knight’s unwavering defiance escalates beyond all logic. This scene plays with the trope of the valiant warrior, reducing it to a comical exercise in futility.
The Killer Rabbit: Subverting Expectations
Another brilliantly absurd moment comes when Arthur and his knights face what they assume is an unremarkable white rabbit guarding a cave. The ominous warnings from Tim the Enchanter set up the scene like a traditional medieval fantasy encounter with a fearsome beast—only for the reveal to be an adorable bunny.
What follows is one of the greatest bait-and-switch gags in cinematic history: the rabbit turns out to be a bloodthirsty monster, savagely attacking and decapitating knights. This scene is a masterclass in subverting audience expectations, taking a seemingly harmless element and turning it into a deadly force.
The French Taunters: Insults at Their Finest
When Arthur and his knights arrive at a French castle and attempt to negotiate, they are met with an onslaught of the most ludicrous insults imaginable, delivered by a cartoonishly arrogant Frenchman.
Lines like “Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries!” are so nonsensical that they transcend normal insults and become something uniquely hilarious.
This scene is a perfect example of Monty Python’s love for linguistic absurdity—playing with words, accents, and exaggerated delivery to create something as surreal as it is funny.
The Witch Trial: Satirising Medieval Logic
One of the film’s best examples of satirical humour is the infamous witch trial scene. A group of peasants brings forward a woman accused of witchcraft, and the logic they use to prove her guilt is as absurd as it is brilliant. The argument follows a bizarre but internally consistent logic: witches burn, wood burns, ducks float on water, and therefore, if she weighs the same as a duck, she must be a witch.
This scene is one of the sharpest critiques of medieval superstition and flawed reasoning, delivered in the form of an outrageously funny exchange. It’s Python at its best—taking a real historical concept and stretching it to the point of absurdity.
Watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail at a young age profoundly shaped my sense of humour. The film taught me to appreciate absurdity, satire, and the joy of defying expectations. Before watching it, my understanding of comedy was mostly confined to slapstick and straightforward jokes. Monty Python introduced me to a different kind of humour—one that relied on clever wordplay, parody, and the deconstruction of tropes.
It also sparked my love for British comedy in general. After Holy Grail, I went on to explore Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Life of Brian, and The Meaning of Life, along with other classic British comedic works. The influence of Python’s wit can be seen in countless modern comedies, from The Simpsons to Blackadder, and I can confidently say it has left an indelible mark on my own comedic preferences.
Beyond comedy, the film also showed me the power of creativity in filmmaking. With its low budget, rudimentary effects, and unconventional storytelling, Holy Grail proves that a great film doesn’t need elaborate CGI or grandiose production values—it just needs originality and sharp writing.
To this day, I find myself quoting lines from the film in everyday conversations, often to the confusion (or delight) of those around me.
Monty Python's Life of Brian
Right after watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail I delved into this masterpiece.
Monty Python’s Life of Brian is, without question, my favourite film by the legendary British comedy troupe. It is a work of comedic genius, packed with razor-sharp satire, absurdist humour, and a brilliantly executed mockery of the dogmatic and bureaucratic aspects of organised religion. Whenever I think about this film, I find myself chuckling uncontrollably, often earning puzzled glances from those around me. But that’s the magic of Life of Brian—it stays with you, making you laugh even long after you’ve watched it.
The Perfect Blend of Wit and Absurdity
Life of Brian stands as a testament to the Monty Python troupe’s unparalleled ability to combine sharp political and religious satire with sheer absurdity. The film follows Brian Cohen, a man born on the same night as Jesus in the stable next door, who is mistakenly hailed as the Messiah. Through Brian’s misadventures, the film hilariously critiques blind faith, religious zealotry, and the often arbitrary nature of political uprisings. Yet, despite its deeply satirical nature, the film never feels mean-spirited or cruel. Instead, it gleefully dismantles rigid ideologies, pointing out the inherent contradictions in fanaticism, whether religious or political.
One of the most striking aspects of the film is how its humour remains timeless. Unlike many comedies that feel dated after a few decades, Life of Brian is just as hilarious today as it was in 1979. Whether it’s the mockery of bureaucratic inefficiency in the People’s Front of Judea scenes or the playful jabs at religious prophecy, the film continues to be relevant.
Biggus Dickus: The Funniest Scene Ever?
Among the countless brilliant scenes in Life of Brian, the Biggus Dickus sequence stands out as one of the funniest moments in cinematic history. The scene revolves around Pontius Pilate, played by Michael Palin, whose unfortunate speech impediment causes him to pronounce certain letters in a peculiar manner. He proudly mentions his “very good fwiend in Wome,” Biggus Dickus, much to the barely contained amusement of his Roman guards.
The sheer absurdity of the moment, combined with Palin’s masterful ability to keep a straight face while the extras struggle not to laugh, makes this scene unforgettable.
I remember watching this for the first time and nearly falling off my chair from laughter. Even now, I cannot think about Biggus Dickus without grinning. It is a prime example of Monty Python’s ability to mix schoolboy humour with satirical wit. The scene captures the troupe’s talent for creating something both utterly ridiculous and incredibly clever at the same time.
Watching Life of Brian, I often wonder what it would be like if India had a film that took a similar satirical approach to religion and politics. In a country where faith and politics are deeply intertwined, a film like this could challenge people to think critically about the institutions that shape their lives.
Of course, such a film would likely face enormous backlash. Religious satire is a sensitive subject, and many would see it as blasphemous rather than thought-provoking. However, as Monty Python themselves have always argued, satire is not an attack but rather a form of intellectual scrutiny. Life of Brian does not mock faith itself but rather the way people twist and exploit religious beliefs. A film like this in India could be an incredible way to foster open discussions about religious dogma and political hypocrisy—if only we had the comedic freedom to make one.
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life(And Death)
The film’s final scene is one of the most unexpectedly uplifting moments in cinematic history. Brian, condemned to crucifixion, finds himself surrounded by fellow prisoners who burst into song: Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.
Written by Eric Idle, this song is nothing short of a masterpiece. It manages to be both darkly ironic and genuinely optimistic at the same time. The juxtaposition of men hanging on crosses singing a cheerful tune is Monty Python at their finest—hilarious, subversive, and oddly inspiring.
This song has become my all-time favourite. No matter how bad things get, whenever I hear that familiar whistle, I can’t help but smile. It reminds me not to take life too seriously, to find humour even in the bleakest moments, and to keep moving forward. The line
Monty Python's Flying Circus
After watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Life of Brian and falling in love with their absurd brilliance, I naturally moved on to Monty Python’s Flying Circus. I first started watching the TV series about a year after finishing Life of Brian, and it was nothing short of a revelation.
The surreal sketches, the unpredictable humour, and the sheer commitment to the most ridiculous premises fascinated me. The show introduced me to a whole new level of absurdity, and I found myself quoting it more than I’d like to admit. Though it was once available on Netflix, I believe it is no longer there, but I have since found other ways to watch it and revisit my favourite sketches.
I could go on and on about the genius of Monty Python for hours, but instead, here are some of my favourite sketches and songs from Flying Circus, each a perfect example of their comedic brilliance.
The Lumberjack Song
One of Monty Python’s most famous musical sketches, The Lumberjack Song starts as an innocent folk tune about the joys of being a lumberjack, only to spiral into hilarious absurdity. The contrast between the cheerful melody and the growing discomfort of the supporting singers makes it all the more brilliant.
I believe the line "I wish I'd been a girle just like my mama" was later changed to "I wish I'd been a girle just like my papa" which just showcases the amazing humour of the troupe.
Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition
This sketch plays on the idea of an unexpected interrogation by turning it into a surreal and incompetent farce. The exaggerated entrance, the absurd methods of torture (such as a comfy chair), and the sheer unpredictability make it one of Monty Python’s most quotable sketches. I often find myself shouting "NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISTION" for no apparent reason.
The way in which they start talking about their "weaponry" is just comedic perfection.
The Funniest Joke in the World
A sketch about a joke so funny that it becomes a lethal weapon in warfare. The way this idea escalates into a full-blown military strategy is classic Monty Python—taking a ridiculous concept and pushing it to its logical extreme.
Mr. Hilter Running for Office in Britain
In this sketch, Adolf Hitler (disguised as "Mr. Hilter") and his Nazi associates try to run for political office in England. The absurdity of seeing Hitler campaigning with exaggerated British mannerisms makes it one of Monty Python’s sharpest and most daring pieces of satire.
The Fish Slapping Dance
A simple yet utterly ridiculous sketch where two men in military uniforms engage in a bizarrely choreographed dance, ending in an unexpected slapstick moment. This perfectly encapsulates Monty Python’s ability to turn the simplest ideas into comedic gold.
The Ministry of Silly Walks
One of Monty Python’s most visually iconic sketches, this one features John Cleese as a government official in charge of approving silly walks. His exaggerated, rubber-limbed movements combined with the absurd bureaucratic premise make this an unforgettable piece of comedy.
Bicycle Repair Man
In a world where everyone is Superman, one ordinary man with the ability to repair bicycles becomes a superhero. This clever inversion of superhero tropes is both absurd and hilarious.
Royal Society of People Who Put Things Over Other Things
A hilarious and utterly pointless organisation dedicated to, well, putting things over other things. The seriousness with which the members take their nonsense cause is a prime example of Monty Python’s ability to parody bureaucracy and social institutions.
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
I first watched Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life quite late—about three to four years after I had already seen their other films, Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Life of Brian. Perhaps that’s part of why I had a somewhat different experience with this film compared to the others.
Unlike the more structured narratives of their previous works, The Meaning of Life is a return to the sketch-based format that defined their television series. But instead of a random assortment of sketches, the film attempts to explore the grand question of existence itself. It is a chaotic, outrageous, and often grotesque exploration of life’s various stages, filtered through Monty Python’s signature surrealist humour.
This film is not for everyone. Some of its humour is deliberately provocative and, at times, deeply unsettling. But what it lacks in accessibility, it makes up for in sheer ambition and comedic audacity. It is perhaps the most unfiltered version of Monty Python’s humour put to film, filled with moments that range from outright hilarity to scenes that force the audience into discomfort—sometimes within the same sketch. It’s a film that refuses to conform to conventional storytelling rules, and in doing so, it becomes a kind of absurdist commentary on the very nature of human existence.
One of the absolute highlights of The Meaning of Life is its musical numbers. Monty Python has always been brilliant at blending humour with music, and this film contains some of their most memorable songs.
Every Sperm Is Sacred is a masterpiece of absurdity. It takes what should be an utterly bizarre and uncomfortable topic—Catholic doctrine on contraception—and turns it into a full-scale musical production, complete with an enormous choir, dancing children, and a deeply satirical edge. The grandeur of the song’s presentation makes it even funnier, as the Pythons manage to mock both religious dogma and over-the-top musical traditions simultaneously.
Equally impressive is The Galaxy Song, performed by Eric Idle. What starts as an innocent, educational tune about the vastness of the universe soon takes on a darker tone when it reminds us just how insignificant we all are in the grand scheme of things. The song is as informative as it is hilarious, and its cheerful delivery makes the existential horror of its message even funnier. The song’s abrupt and gruesome ending only adds to its absurd charm.
Beyond the music, the film is packed with scenes that stick with you long after watching. One of the most notorious is Mr. Creosote, the obscenely overweight man who eats himself into a grotesque explosion. It is possibly one of the most disgustingly over-the-top moments in film history, but it’s so exaggerated that it transcends mere shock value and becomes a kind of horrifying slapstick. The fact that Monty Python can make something so revolting also so funny is a testament to their unique comedic brilliance.
While The Meaning of Life may not be as universally beloved as Holy Grail or Life of Brian, it is arguably the most ambitious of Monty Python’s films. It pushes the boundaries of satire, sketch comedy, and even musical theatre in ways that few films have dared. It’s a chaotic, philosophical rollercoaster that leaves you laughing, cringing, and maybe even questioning the nature of existence itself.
Conclusion
Monty Python remains one of my greatest influences—not just in comedy, but in the way I view the absurdity of life. Alongside The Beatles, they embody a kind of creative genius that only comes around once in a lifetime. If The Beatles revolutionized music, Monty Python did the same for comedy, reshaping humour with their fearless satire and surreal imagination. Their work continues to inspire generations, and for me, their impact is immeasurable.
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