Monty Python's Flying Circus, Disc 1 | 
| Actors: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones
Studio: A&E Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $1.68
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Avg. Customer Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 76721
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 102
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
DVD Layers: 1
DVD Sides: 1
Picture Format: Academy Ratio
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.6
ISBN: 0767018826
UPC: 733961700428
EAN: 9780767018821
ASIN: B00000JSJG
Theatrical Release Date: 1969
Release Date: September 28, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW, FACTORY SEALED!!
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In 1969, five overeducated British comics and an American illustrator ambushed the BBC with the strangest show in British history. How they got on the air is anyone's guess (rumors of blackmail were quickly hushed, though the Python's penchant for sheep gags... but enough of speculation), but their irreverent writing and ludicrous gags transformed the sketch comedy show into a stream-of-consciousness loony bin of absurdity, connected by the outrageous animations of Terry Gilliam. In these first episodes, you can see the sextet working out their technique, mixing music-hall slapstick with their zany brand of ridiculousness. Episode 1, "Whither Canada," features the Funniest Joke in the World (a.k.a. the Killer Joke, which is really nothing other than German gibberish, but don't tell anyone), as well as Famous Deaths Through History hosted by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (John Cleese in a silly wig), interviews with Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson and celebrated film director Sir Edward "Don't call me Eddie Baby" Ross, and a strange fascination with pigs. Episode 2, the teasingly titled "Sex and Violence," features John Cleese and Michael Palin as a pair of French inventors trading mustaches while explaining the finer points of sheep aviation, a man with three buttocks, an investigative report into the mouse crisis, and a wrestling match (two of three falls) to determine the existence of God. Episode 3, "How to Recognize Different Types of Trees from Quite a Long Way Away" never did get past the Larch, but does feature the ever-popular Nudge Nudge, the not-quite-so-popular Restaurant Sketch, the rather baffling Dim of Scotland Yard (with a tuneful John Cleese dancing and singing about being a railroad engineer under a barrister's wig), and the altogether absurd Bicycle Repairman, making the world safe for bicyclists. --Sean Axmaker
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 Snap snap, grin grin, wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more? June 7, 2008
In 1969, pop culture experienced a sudden earthquake, started by five British goofballs and one American goofball, who created "Monty Python's Flying Circus."
And no, that isn't a person. Just so you know.
And "Monty Python's Flying Circus Disc 1," which contains the first three episodes of the series, is a string of bizarre comedic skits skits linked by some gloriously surreal animation, where the insane is everyday. These episodes have a few dud moments, but they also contain some of the Pythons' most hilarious works, including the now-legendary Wink-Wink-Nudge-Nudge sketch.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (John Cleese) introduces a special show on great deaths throughout history -- starting with Genghis Khan, and taking a look at the highly-rated deaths throughout history. ("Strewth!").
That relatively minor skit is just the introduction -- Italian classes for Italians, Whizzo butter, an interview with composer Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson amd Sir Edward ("I don't like being called 'Eddie Baby'!"), a marathon race of famous artists in action, and a lethally funny joke that is taken into military custody for use against the Germans in World War II. ("That's not FUNNY!:
And that's only the first episode.
The two episodes that follow are even funnier -- flying sheep in their various forms, a man with three buttocks, musical mice, working-class playwrights, and men who have a secret double-life as rodents. Then we have an ordinary trial given a series of bizarre witnesses, the heroic BicycleRepairman, a book of obscene children's stories, and a series of tragedies that stem from a man saying that he's been given a dirty fork.
Does it sound insane? Good. These six guys created some of the most unabashed, naughty, nasty, and just plain weird comedy ever, which still influences everything from Saturday Night Live to hit author Jasper Fforde. While the first episode is a bit limp, the ones that follow have some of their most legendary work ("Wink wink, nudge nudge, SAY NO MORE!") and it only gets better from there on.
And all of this by men who often dress up as the world's most unattractive girls, wearing powdered wigs and cardinal costumes, with only a smallish budget and minimal cast. The 70s production values are omnipresent, and they are decidedly unpolitically correct ("He loved the life of the sea and he loved to hang out down by the pier where the men dressed as ladies..."). But in a weird way, these only make it even funnier than it would have been otherwise -- the writing and acting are pure, raw, unrefined comedy.
Probably the most memorable actors here are Cleese and Idle. Cleese does his psychotic shrieks and "Engine driver" song better than anyone, as well as having that rubbery lanky body and howling monkey voice. And Idle not only has amazing comic timing, but he can adjust his voice and body language to... anything, from a fussy sailor to the wink-wink-nudge-nudge man.
But the other actors are quite good too, especially Michael Palin, especially when he's playing someone timid or crazy ("The war wound! THE WOUND!"). And Terry Gilliam created the most bizarre, oddballish little cartoons, including a hippo stomping on frolicking bunnies, flying sheep being shot by cannons, and many other strange things that bridge the various skits together.
This classic comedy series not only became a pop culture staple, but it's still fresh and funny more than thirty years after it was made. A truly surreal, gloriously insane experience.
 Nudge Nudge! A Great DVD he said Knowingly March 16, 2000
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
In this video there are the first three Flying circus episodes! what a riot! I fell out of my chair laughing during the "Nudge, Nudge" Sketch. a good buy for Python fans everywherer\
Long Live A&E and DVD (especially the naughty bits!) February 14, 2000
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I've become addicted to Monty Python thanks to A&E's release of Monty Python's Flying Circus on DVD. The packaging, the design of the menu screen, and the extras are all wonderful. A&E has filled these sets full of Spam, Spam, Spam, and Spam. A person could spend a week watching all the episodes and the great bonuses such as live performances of the sketches at the Hollywood Bowl. These sets are a revelation to anyone who grew up watching the series and especially to those who have never seen it before. Monty Python's Flying Circus will certainly stand the test of time and A&E deserves a lot of credit for producing these DVDs. Anything from Monty Python or Terry Gilliam on DVD is highly recommended viewing.
 I cry foul. December 1, 1999
24 out of 25 found this review helpful
I give it 5 stars for the Pythons and 1 star for A&E or 3 stars overall. A&E have to be commended for bringing the Pythons to DVD, but Jeers to them for exploiting us fans, After packaging 3-4 Avengers episodes per disk it is ridiculous for them to only include 3 Python Episodes per disk when 6-8 would easily fit. This is the type of crass commercialism the Pythons would usually ridicule. I cry foul.
timeless laughter November 30, 1999
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
its been many years and many changes have taken me to where im at today, but in watching this production it seems like yesterday when i first saw it. Dated it is not, funny oh my yes. A timeless humor to be cherrished in these ever changing times.
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