The Life of Python | 
| Actors: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones
Studio: A&E Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.95
Buy Used: $8.29
You Save: $11.66 (58%)
New (3) Used (12) from $8.29
Avg. Customer Rating:  20 reviews
Sales Rank: 25534
Format: Box Set, Color, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 168
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Picture Format: Pan & Scan
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.5 x 1.2
ISBN: 0767028961
UPC: 733961701326
EAN: 9780767028967
ASIN: B00004Y7TA
Theatrical Release Date: 2000
Release Date: October 31, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
And now for Monty Python fans who think they have seen everything, the BBC commemorates the 30th anniversary of the debut of Monty Python's Flying Circus with this treasure trove of new sketches performed by the Pythons (minus spoilsport Eric Idle, and, of course, ex-Python Graham Chapman); new interviews with all the surviving members; classic clips; and recently discovered and rarely seen Python material unearthed from the BBC archives. Volume 1, It's... the Monty Python Story, is a sketchy history, recalling the highs (the first two seasons of the groundbreaking TV series and The Life of Brian) and the lows (the death of Chapman, who in a poignant clip from his memorial service is eulogized by John Cleese as a "freeloading bastard"). Volume 2 really delivers the goods, including a long-lost 10-minute film Monty Python created for the 1971 Pan-European May Day Festival. Michael Palin spoofs his travel shows by giving viewers a tour of "Pythonland." He revisits the actual locations where such classic Python sketches as the Ministry of Silly Walks and the Fish Slapping Dance were filmed. South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone offer an animated tribute (the Dead Kenny sketch), while Meatloaf goes behind the music to reveal the inspiration behind the Python's most memorable songs. Volume 3 contains "The Lost German Episode" of Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus, which was created for German television (don't worry; it's in English) and has never been broadcast in the United States. This is comedy's equivalent to a surviving-Beatles reunion, and though the new sketches and animations are hit and miss, it is heartening to see that the Pythons are still loony after all these years. It is a particular pleasure to see the Gumbys banging bricks once again. And Python sexpot Carol Cleveland is holding up rather well, if you know what I mean, say no more, nudge nudge. --Donald Liebenson
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 15 more reviews...
 Python Night June 8, 2008
This collection features the Python's 30th Anniversary Special from BBC Two, which aired in America as Life of Python on A&E. I caught it on Television when it first aired, and had been looking for it on DVD for a while. It is sort of hit or miss with the new material of comedy, but its entertaining enough to see them all (for the most part) together again as Python.
It also includes the 2nd German episode, the first of which was included on "Monty Python Live!", which in turn is now included in the Flying Circus 16-Ton Megaset.
Its out of print but worth looking for if you are big Python fan, if you only like the movies and the Parrot sketch, don't waste your time.
Monty Python Rocks! June 8, 2007
I LOVE Monty Python. I have several of their specials taped off the TV. So when I saw Life of Python available on DVD, I jumped @ it. It wasn't really the one I wanted. Monty Python tends to make a lot of minor changes to each of their shows, so that people will buy more than one version trying to get the one they remember. But all in all I was very happy with my purchase.
 An absolute must for budding Pythonites February 10, 2007
While I must confess that I did not particularly enjoy the Fliegender Zirkus episode, the first disc alone is well worth the price of the entire product. Eddie Izzard narrates the "Life of Python" segment, which documents the development of the Pythons' wacky sense of humor and their previous jobs on programs such as "The Frost Report" and "Do Not Adjust Your Set", through the Python series, movies and their various post-Python projects. Michael Palin's "PythonLand" is more for diehards, but for the newbie Pythonite it offers some insight into the filming process the Pythons used. "From Spam To Sperm" is my personal favorite, which covers the many Python songs popularized through the series and movies. Anyone who has not seen "The Meaning of Life" will want to run out and get it after seeing the segment on "Every Sperm Is Sacred".
Long story short: something for everyone and well worth the price.
A potpourri of priceless python October 21, 2004
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This 2-disc set features fantabulous material. Disc one contains all sorts of oddball stuff including Graham Chapman's funeral, A python tribute from the South Park creators (including appearances by Cartman, Kyle, & Kenny), a documenatry on filming locations, songs from Python, and other bits of rubbish culled from BBC archives.
Disc 2 is even better, featuring one of the 2 "lost" German episodes. This episode was done in English (unlike the other episode, which was actually in German) and features some truly, truly ridiculous bits including "Chicken Panning" and the dumbest fairy tale you'll ever see (featuring a Hammond Organ).
Well worth it, believe me.
Some Brilliant New Material February 28, 2003
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
In 1999, the Monty Python team marked their 30th anniversary with a big TV special on BBC2. It featured a ton of brilliant new sketches, the lost Python Mayday Special, a one-hour history of the team, a documentary about their music, a South Park tribute, a Michael Palin travel documentary (about Python locations), and "Life of Brian." The special came about after the team couldn't make agreements about a tour or a movie, and while both of those would have been excellent, this TV special manages to capture much of the original Pythonic brilliance. With the exception of "Brian," the 30th anniversary show is presented in this DVD, along with one of the two "lost" German episodes (this one is in English). It has some great stuff, especially the Fairy Tale scene.
On DVD, the anniversary show looks broadcast quality, showing no visual flaws (except in old clips and the lost Mayday special.) The German episode looks fairly grainy, but that is to be expected from a rarely restored show. DVD features are on the second disc with the German episode (unless you count the weblink on disc one.) There is a preview of the first German episode, as well as a quiz and clip show from the "Monty Python's Flying Circus" Season Four discs.
|
|
|
