Monty Python and the Holy Grail: 50th Anniversary Edition (1975) - 4K Ultra HD Review

      Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 1975.

      Directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones.

      Starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Monty Python and the Holy Grail is commemorating its 50th anniversary with an attractive Steelbook edition (the Pythons would have a blast with that description) that features a remastered 4K Ultra HD version of the film. Additionally, it includes a Blu-ray of the movie along with a substantial collection of bonus features, including a new retrospective. Although there's no code for a digital copy, that’s perfectly fine.

      I could kick off this review with any of the countless memorable quotes from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, but you’re already familiar with them, aren’t you? Monty Python had a major impact during my formative years, as episodes of the Flying Circus aired uncensored — naughty bits and all! — on my local PBS station. Thankfully, my father also appreciated their absurd British humor, so I could easily enjoy the comedy troupe's films later on. Holy Grail was their second film, following the sketch compilation And Now For Something Completely Different, and marked their first original story created for the cinema.

      As in the TV series, the members of the troupe — Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin — portrayed a variety of characters, with Gilliam and Jones directing. The film served as a launchpad for both Gilliam and Jones’s directing careers. While Gilliam's directing trajectory has garnered more attention, Jones has also made significant contributions in that realm.

      I won't retell the plot since you're already aware, and the story primarily serves to connect a series of hilarious moments. Some may not be fond of the ending, but I find it brilliant; it perfectly suits the Pythons' style. Holy Grail is a film that's worth revisiting in today's challenging times.

      This new Steelbook honors the film’s 50th (!) anniversary with a new 4K remaster that likely represents the best visual quality this film will ever achieve. The previously released Blu-ray, included here as well, also looked good, but why not extract every bit of enhanced video and audio quality from this print? In true Python fashion, they should follow up with an old-school pan-and-scan VHS release and claim it as the pinnacle of A/V quality. (I know, Alien: Romulus was recently issued on VHS, which was an … interesting decision.)

      Bonus features for this film have been thoroughly exhausted in past Blu-ray and DVD releases, but Sony has provided another incentive to purchase this edition with Tis but a Tribute: 50 Years of the Holy Grail, a 16-minute retrospective featuring not only the surviving cast members but also Suzzie, Eddie Izzard, Marc Evan Jackson, Paul Fieg, Craig Ferguson, and other comedy icons. Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian also makes a brief appearance to discuss how the film influenced the band’s name.

      The other new feature is, aptly, the Near Theatrical Version of the Film, which is only a minute shorter than the version included here. I believe it’s the cut that appeared on VHS, which would be a perfect joke, but I can’t be certain since this is one of those movies that I see as modular: beyond the essential scenes, you can mix and match various bits at will.

      Everything else included has been carried over from previous editions, but I can't say for sure if anything is absent. Likely. You probably want to keep those discs just to complete your collection, right? I know I will. Anyway, here are the other extras:

      • Audio Commentaries: Two commentaries are featured, one with co-directors Gilliam and Jones and the other including John Cleese, Eric Idle, and Michael Palin. As expected, both tracks are full of entertaining facts and humor.

      • 2015 Tribeca Film Festival Q&A (30 minutes): Gilliam, Jones, Cleese, Idle, and Palin participated in this Q&A held for the film’s 40th anniversary.

      • Outtakes and Extended Scenes (19 minutes): As I mentioned, this is a modular movie, and most fans would be delighted to see any of this material reintegrated. Jones introduces this section.

      • Lost Animations (13 minutes): Gilliam discusses the animated sequences that didn’t make it into the film.

      • Quest for the Holy Grail Locations (47 minutes): It seems only fitting that a British comedy troupe spoofs the Arthurian legends, given the incredible filming locations the country offers. This feature takes you on a tour of those sites!

      • Lego Knights (2 minutes): Camelot is portrayed as a silly place, recreated with Lego bricks