Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Actors: Graham Chapman (actor), Graham Chapman (actor), Graham Chapman (actor), Graham Chapman (actor), John Cleese (actor), John Cleese (actor), John Cleese (actor), John Cleese (actor), John Cleese (actor), John Cleese (actor), Terry Gilliam (actor), Terry Gilliam (actor), Terry Gilliam (actor), Terry Gilliam (actor), Terry Gilliam (actor),

Plot: The movie starts out with Arthur, King of the Britons, looking for knights to sit with him at Camelot. He finds many knights including Sir Galahad the pure, Sir Lancelot the brave, the quiet Sir Bedevere, and Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir Lancelot. They do not travel on horses, but pretend they do and have their servants bang coconuts to make the sound of horse's hooves. Through satire of certain events in history (witch trials, the black plague) they find Camelot, but after literally a quick song and dance they decide that they do not want to go there. While walking away, God (who seems to be grumpy) come to them from a cloud and tells them to find the Holy Grail. They agree and begin their search. While they search for the Grail, scenes of the knight's tales appear and why they have the name they have. Throughout their search they meet interesting people and knights along the way. Most of the characters die; some through a killer rabbit (which they defeat with the holy hand grenade), others from not answering a question right from the bridge of Death, or die some other ridiculous way. In the end, King Arthur and Sir Bedevere are left and find the Castle Arrrghhh where the Holy Grail is. They are met by some French soldiers who taunted them earlier in the film, so they were not able to get into the castle.

Keywords: 10th-century, 930s, absurd, absurd-humor, absurdism, abyss, actor-playing-multiple-roles, anachronism, anarchism, animal-attack
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy,
Taglines: You can do worse than see it. Makes Ben Hur look like an Epic Sets The Cinema Back 900 Years! And now! At Last! Another film completely different from some of the other films which aren't quite the same as this one is.

Quotes:

[the Black Knight continues to threaten Arthur despite getting both his arms and one of his legs cut off]::Black Knight: Right, I'll do you for that!::King Arthur: You'll what?::Black Knight: Come here!::King Arthur: What are you gonna do, bleed on me?::Black Knight: I'm invincible!::King Arthur: ...You're a loony.

Knights of Camelot: [singing] We're knights of the Round Table, we dance whene'er we're able. We do routines and chorus scenes with footwork impec-cable, We dine well here in Camelot, we eat ham and jam and Spam a lot. / We're knights of the Round Table, our shows are for-mi-dable. But many times we're given rhymes that are quite un-sing-able, We're opera mad in Camelot, we sing from the diaphragm a lot. / In war we're tough and able, Quite in-de-fa-ti-gable. Between our quests we sequin vests and impersonate Clark Gable / It's a busy life in Camelot [solo] I have to push the pram a lot.

King of Swamp Castle: Listen, Alice...::Prince Herbert: Herbert.::King of Swamp Castle: Herbert...

Minstrel: [singing] Bravely bold Sir Robin rode forth from Camelot. He was not afraid to die, oh brave Sir Robin. He was not at all afraid to be killed in nasty ways, brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Robin. He was not in the least bit scared to be mashed into a pulp, or to have his eyes gouged out, and his elbows broken. To have his kneecaps split, and his body burned away, and his limbs all hacked and mangled, brave Sir Robin. His head smashed in and heart cut out, and his liver removed, and his bowels unplugged, and his nostrils raped and his bottom burned off and his penis...::Sir Robin: That's, uh, that's enough music for now, lads... looks like there's dirty work afoot.

Minstrel: [singing] Brave Sir Robin ran away...::Sir Robin: *No!*::Minstrel: [singing] bravely ran away away...::Sir Robin: *I didn't!*::Minstrel: [singing] When danger reared its ugly head, he bravely turned his tail and fled.::Sir Robin: *I never did!*::Minstrel: [singing] Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about, and valiantly, he chickened out.::Sir Robin: *Oh, you liars!*::Minstrel: [singing] Bravely taking to his feet, he beat a very brave retreat. A brave retreat by brave Sir Robin.

God: What are you doing now?::King Arthur: Averting our eyes, oh Lord.::God: Well, don't. It's just like those miserable psalms, they're so depressing. Now knock it off!

King of Swamp Castle: Please! This is supposed to be a happy occasion. Let's not bicker and argue over who killed who.

God: Every time I try to talk to someone it's "sorry this" and "forgive me that" and "I'm not worthy"...

French Soldier: I don't want to talk to you no more, you empty headed animal food trough wiper. I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.

Sir Galahad: Is there someone else up there we can talk to?::French Soldier: No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time.