Monty Python's And Now for Something Completely Different (PG, 1971)

common sense media says

Best of Monty Python sketches in one neat package.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is a collection of irreverent comedy sketches performed by British comedy troupe Monty Python. Sex and sexual identities are often major components in the sketches -- a marriage counselor hitting on a wife seeking help, a cross-dressing lumberjack, a milkman greeted at the door by a woman in a negligee. However, there's no nudity (aside from a cartoon depiction of a Venus statue) or graphic depiction of sex. Violence is repeatedly used for comic effect, and no real consequences are ever shown -- nor would they mean much in the context of a comedy sketch. Drinking of alcohol is a minor component of a few sketches, and the language is quite mild.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Long-distance shootings and explosions, comic physical attacks.
Sex: Non-graphic, but features heavy petting, flashing, seduction, and veiled discussions of sex.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.

More on Monty Python's And Now for Something Completely Different

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the plethora of topics raised in the skits, including gays in the military, American intervention in world politics, juvenile delinquency, and many others. Parents could discuss how these comedic sketches are often making a serious point about culture or society. For instance, why is it funny for a male lumberjack to want to dress as a woman? Or what is the piece about violent "grannies" attacking young men really commenting on?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In an attempt to bring Monty Python to the U.S., the troupe, along with director Ian McNaughton, refilmed their favorite sketches from their first two seasons on the BBC. These sketches were edited together with some various new connecting bits, and the resulting film was titled AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. While it failed to attract the audience they were hoping for, the sketches are true classics, and the reinterpretations in less studio-bound settings make them all the more potent. Among the most memorable are the "Lumberjack Song," the upper class twit of the year competition, and the funniest joke in the world.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Those who are already familiar with the sketches in their original form on the television series won't find anything substantially different here (ironic considering the title). This film really works best as an introduction for viewers who have had little to no prior experience with Monty Python. From here, one will likely be hooked and want to go back to the original series, unless they find the humor too absurd.

But even those who dislike what they get here should keep in mind Monty Python's lasting legacy in the more recent sketch comedy troupes that have followed in their footsteps, including The Kids in the Hall and Mr. Show.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Sony Pictures
Director: Ian MacNaughton
Cast: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: January 1, 1971
DVD release: August 8, 1999
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: adult themes

This review was written by David Gurney
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

scary movie
teen, 15 years old
 
must see

tintin_in_arcata
teen, 17 years old
 
Great movie, but might be embarassing to watch with others.
This is hilarious and genious. The way they tie the skits together into one long movie. I love it. 13+

CSM Screen ...
teen, 17 years old
 
A bunch of the best sketches from the first two seasons of "Flying Circus" tied together into a movie. The re-filmed sketches usually aren't as good as the studio versions (with a few exceptions, like "Dirty Fork"), but it's a very funny film nonetheless. 13+

Spielberg00
teen, 14 years old
 
This one is to be watched over and over (and over) again. I give it a "pause" on 13 mainly because there are extremely negative messages in this film--the major one being Monty Python's classic surreal humor, or the use of violence (sometimes comic, other times not so much) to provoke massive laughs. But this is, in fact, the best movie I have ever seen, and the funniest.
My rating: PG-13 for frequent surreal humor involving some comic violence and related themes, animated partial nudity, some innuendo and a few uses of brief language.

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