 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
- Review Date: June 3, 2007
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 1975
Common Sense Media says
Nonstop hilarity for families; some bawdy humor.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Monty Python's comedy was rated PG before the advent of PG-13. The entire vestal virgin sequence is filled with sexual innuendo and proposition -- but that's the iffiest content. Some of the rapid-fire jokes won't be detected or even understood by the youngest teens, and it's possible teens unfamiliar with this style of comedy won't get it at first. The violence is obviously fake -- lots of gushing blood, killer rabbits, etc. God is depicted in an animated segment as being tired of overly contrite and "depressing" followers.
What's the story?
In MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, God -- animated and annoyed -- wants Arthur and his men to find the holy grail, so off they go, facing killer rabbits, randy vestal virgins, taunting Frenchmen, a bloodthirsty torso, and other silly characters on their not-so-epic quest.
Is it any good?
Most comedies don't age well -- the jokes, gags, and even the actors all get dated. That can't be said of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, which three decades later is every bit as hilarious. The legendary British comedy troupe Monty Python (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin) performs its own loony version of the King Arthur legend. But don't expect swashbuckling heroes on horses. Instead, Arthur (Chapman) and his knights trot along sans horses while a subject makes galloping noises with two coconuts. It would spoil the fun to give away more of the memorable gags; they're nearly nonstop and need to be experienced, not explained. But look out for the side-splitting scenes with the Black Knight, the shrubbery bit, and the father of a rather hesitant groom.
Holy Grail is one of the all-time best comedies that families with older kids should enjoy together (for Sir Galahad's bawdy run-in with the vestal virgins, you can always aim for that "next chapter" button). And with all the quotable bits, it's just a matter of time before they're saying "Ni!" and "It's just a flesh wound."
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the way the Monty Python crew lampoons the King Arthur legend and movies. Kids: name other movies that are similarly humorous parodies of classic epic tales.
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AGE
Perfect for age 11-Adult
No concerns. Role models? In a comedy? I watched this movie when I was eleven and I loved it! Some of the humor may be a bit much but little kids will laugh at the killer rabbit and won't get the teen virgins part. For kids that get it it is HILARIOUS. I understand the person who did not like it. Some people like different comedy styles. Parodies are not for them. Awesome movie! ;)
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AGE
Monty Python Humor never intended for kids!
I love it as an adult but just don't think that it is age appropriate for kids. I had first watched it long ago and remembered the humor in it. I watched it again before showing it to my 14 and 11 year old and decided within the first 15 minutes they wouldn't be seeing it soon.
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AGE
Most people seem to like this film the best out of all the Python films. I personally liked "Life Of Brian" more and have not seen "Meaning Of Life" yet. Don't let the PG-rating fool you. It's at least a hard PG-13. It's fairly violent and bloody, there are sexual references and I believe I heard about 1 use of the f-word. If you removed the nudity from "Life Of Brian", it would actually be tamer than this film imo. If your let your kids watch violent films, then you will have no problem with this one.
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AGE
Funny
This was a funny, well made movie. It starts out a little slow, but picks up once the knights set out on their quest for the grail. I particularly enjoyed the parts with the knights who say "Ni!" and the killer rabbit. I would rate it PG-13 for comic violence, crude and sexual humor, and language.
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AGE
now you listen good and well, i have a story to tell! i was on the set of The Devil's Rejects and Rob Zombie mentioned when he was a kid in english class, his teacher really REALLY wanted to watch Monty Python!!!!
but he said it was too bad!
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AGE
: D
Hilarious! One of the funniest movies I've seen in my life! That rabbit was a bit scary, though. The only problem I had with I was that castle full of girls. That part was kind of weird watching it with my 9-year-old brother.
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AGE
A little edgy; depends on your kid; but so worth it!
I loved this movie, so I had to share it when my precocious kid was all about comedies -- but you do have to be prepared to explain a few things or let them fly over their heads - and I definitely always fastforward through the castle virgins sequence before we can get to the parts about spankings/oral sex! Otherwise, as long as your kid can understand that some of the language and comedy is completely silly and of course you woudl never say or do, I think it is fine. he loved it. Now quotes all the skits.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures |
| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Directors: | Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones |
| Cast: | Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, John Cleese |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 91 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 11, 1975 |
| DVD release date: | October 23, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
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