The influence of Monty Python on the world of comedy has been likened to the influence of The Beatles on popular music. And while it’s a lofty comparison, it is incredibly true! In fact, over the course of forty-five episodes of Flying Circus, five films, a live touring stage show, and a plethora of comedy albums, the Pythons have rearranged the face of comedy quite brutally. Their rebellious stream-of-consciousness style, facilitated by Terry Gilliam’s unique animations, created something that hadn’t been seen before. In the new documentary Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut), which commemorates their 40th anniversary, we get to see the inner workings of the minds that made it all possible.
The story is told directly from the perspective of the five remaining members of the group: John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam. There is also stock footage of interviews and other recordings from the late Graham Chapman. They muse upon their childhoods, lives at university, first forays into writing and performing as well as their eventual rise to cult popularity followed by full fledged celebrity status. One of the most interesting parts of the film is the amazingly coincidental sequence of events that led them all to work together as a group. There was no real sense of structure to their formation and in some ways it seems as if it was fated to happen.
Additionally, there are a few original pieces of comedy made specifically for the film including a very humorous opening scene involving the Python’s legal representative and a large explosive, plus a musical number set to the tune of the Life of Brian opening theme.
If one negative aspect has to be mentioned about this new documentary it would simply have to be that it doesn’t delve as deep into the psyche of its subjects as it could. There has already been a very revealing autobiography about the troupe released in 2003 and while this outing is very entertaining and informative it doesn’t necessarily add anything new for longtime fans.
Overall, Almost the Truth is a must see for old and new Monty Python fans alike. The producers Bill Jones and Ben Timlett (the former being the son of group member Terry Jones) have given meticulous effort to treat everything with the loving care and respect that shows through in spades from beginning to end.
The DVD hit shelves on the 27th and it’s currently being replayed through Comcast On Demand.
The movie’s on IFC tonight @ 10pm
“Everyone was terrified of Doug. I’ve seen grown men pull their own heads off rather than see Doug. Even Dinsdale was frightened of Doug.”
“What did he do?”
“He used sarcasm. He knew all the tricks, dramatic irony, metaphor, bathos, puns, parody, litotes and satire.”