Terry Jones Movies
Unlike many of his fellow Monty Python-ites, who were educated at Cambridge, actor/writer/director Terry Jones attended Cambridge's arch-rival Oxford, where he worked with the Experimental Theatre Club. Upon his graduation, Jones was hired as a BBC staff writer. From 1969 to 1972, he was one of the comedy conspirators on the internationally popular Monty Python's Flying Circus, remaining with the Python crowd through several theatrical films, serving as director on Monty Python's the Life of Brian (1979) and Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983). On his own, he wrote and performed in the TV series Secrets, Ripping Yarns and So This is Progress. Terry Jones' non-Python film directorial efforts include Personal Services (1987) and Erik the Viking (1989, based on his own 1984 novel); he also wrote the screenplay for Labyrinth (1986) and adapted his stage play Consuming Passions for the screen in 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 2008
Adapted from the French comic book Panic in London, director Pierre-Francois Martin-Laval's sophomore feature tells the tale of a forgotten isle inhabited by five people who live like they're in medieval times while awaiting the arrival of their new king. Tourist train driver Guillaume (Martin-Laval) and his tuba-playing wife, Magali (Florence Foresti), are deeply in love. They lead a blissful life in the suburbs, and they've just discovered they're about to start a family when the father Guillaume never knew contacts the couple with a shocking announcement: by virtue of an accord reaching back to the Middle Ages, Guillaume is the heir to a kingdom located just off the coasts of France and England. But while the elated couple at first imagine themselves living in an island castle and presiding over a paradise filled with faithful subjects, the reality of the situation isn't quite so romantic. Battered by North winds, the island is little more than a glorified rock. To make matters worse, the current residents are five eccentrics who seem to have forgotten what century they live in. Now, while Magali gets wrapped up in the prospect of becoming a genuine queen and Guillaume celebrates his status as a crowned head, their new servants scramble to cover up the truth about the island until their new ruler can no longer renounce his throne. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pierre-François Martin-Laval, Florence Foresti, (more)
Albert Dupontel directs, writes, and stars in freewheeling French comedy concerning a glue-huffing homeless man who earns an unexpected modicum of respect after coming into possession of a police uniform. Roland (Dupontel) was wandering the shores of the Seine when he noticed a man hurling himself into the churning waters below. Upon investigating the site from which the man leapt, the curious derelict finds that the jumper, presumably a policeman, had left behind his uniform and a suicide note. When Roland attempts to do the right thing and return the uniform to the police station, he is chased away by overzealous cops before he has the chance to explain what happened. Upon noticing a cafeteria that provides free meals to policemen, Roland decides to make the best of his situation by donning the uniform and ordering dinner. Later, when Roland meets a singing mother (Claude Perron) who is struggling to get her children back from the malevolent in-laws who object of her lifestyle and see her as unfit to parent, the uniformed drifter attempts to use his newfound badge for a good cause. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Albert Dupontel, Claude Perron, (more)
- 2005
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Few television comedy programs have had the enduring success of the legendary Monty Python show. Now fans of the surrealist sketch comedy series can find all of Eric Idle's best moments from the influential series in one place thanks to this Python-approved release from A&E Home Entertainment. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Seven short, animated films make up the content of this award-winning television series. Based on the work of Terry Jones, the stories offer a fantastical world filled with dragons, witches, ghosts, giants, and more. As with most fairy tales, these yarns have a moral to take home with them. All of the animation is based on the original book illustrations from artist Michael Foreman. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- 2003
On the cusp of stardom, standup comic Maija DiGiorgio suffered an emotional breakdown while performing before a room packed with a number of the comedy industry's head honchos -- whom were on the receiving end of DiGiorgio's obscenity-laced outburst -- at the Aspen Comedy Festival. Subsequently faced with a nearly industry-wide blacklisting as a result, the comic (and film school graduate) came upon the idea of creating a film journal to document her struggles within the industry, as well as within her own psyche. The result is Bitter Jester, DiGiorgio's 2003 film that started as a document of self-examination and evolved into an examination of success and achievement within the standup circuit. Greatly assisted by the contacts and prestige of executive producer Richard Belzer -- a friend and former employer of DiGiorgio's boyfriend and co-conspirator Kenny Simmons -- DiGiorgio proceeds to gain access to a surprising berth of comedy legends, including Chevy Chase, Richard Pryor, Phyllis Diller, Whoopi Goldberg, and George Carlin, all of whom dispense insightful and sometimes surprising opinions about their individual achievements. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
Both as a member of the Beatles and as a solo artist, George Harrison was one of the best loved and most influential musicians of his generation, and when he died November 29, 2001, after a long battle with cancer, it was a tremendous blow to the many great artists who were his friends and collaborators. A year to the day after his passing, a handful of pop music royalty who had known and worked with Harrison staged a special concert at London's Royal Albert Hall to play his music and honor his art and memory. Concert for George is a documentary which presents highlights from the Harrison memorial concert, featuring performances by Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Tom Petty and the Heartberakers, Jeff Lynne, Billy Preston, Jools Holland, Sam Brown, and Joe Brown. A portion of the profits from the film's release will be donated to The Material World Foundation, a charitable organization founded by Harrison. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joe Brown, Eric Clapton, (more)
Based on the children's books by author/illustrator James Gurney, the three-part, six-hour ABC miniseries Dinotopia got under way when a pair of teenaged half brothers, Karl and David Scott, took over the controls of their father Frank's (Stuart Wilson) private plane. Not surprisingly, the boys crashed the plane into the ocean, whereupon they were washed on the shore of an unchartered continent. While searching for their missing dad, Karl and David wandered into Waterfall City, the capitol of Dinotopia, a hidden civilization where human beings and dinosaurs peacefully coexisted. In fact, some of the dinosaurs, notably a neurotic Stenonychosaurus named Zippo, possessed human intelligence and spoke perfect English. Among the many rules in Dinotopia was the edict that, once an outsider arrived, he or she was never allowed to leave. As Karl and David prepared to take their rightful places in their new surroundings, both boys developed a strong bond with young Marion (Katie Carr), who was on the verge of becoming a "matriarch" of the Dinotopian society. Unfortunately, the incursion of vicious carnivores, not to mention an unanticipated human villain, threatened to destroy Dinotopia and everyone living on the island. Decked out with special effects courtesy of Jim Henson's Creature Shop and the British FrameStore CFC, Dinotopia was designed as the pilot for a proposed weekly ABC adventure series. Co-produced by Disney Television and Hallmark Entertainment, the miniseries premiered as an episode of the Wonderful World of Disney anthology on May 12, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Three kids are accidentally sent on the underwater adventure of a lifetime in this animated story for the whole family. Five-year-old Stella and her 13-year-old brother Fly are dropped off to spend the afternoon with their Aunt Anna and her son, an overweight computer geek named Chuck. Fry, Stella, and Chuck soon tire of Aunt Anna, and they sneak out to go fishing. When the tide suddenly comes in, the kids have trouble finding their way home, and they end up in the lab of a benignly mad scientist who is convinced global warming will soon cause the polar ice caps to melt. With this in mind, the scientist has come up with a formula that will turn people into fish so that they will be able to survive in the new, waterlogged environment. Stella accidentally samples the special potion, and is turned into a fish and accidentally released into the ocean. Realizing what's happened, Fly and Chuck also sample the formula, and hit the waters with the antidote in tow to save Stella. However, as they look for their newly fishy relative, Fly and Chuck encounter Joe, a mean-spirited fish with delusions of grandeur. When Joe gets a taste of the antidote to the fish transformation serum, he gains the accelerated logic and intelligence of a human being, and begins hatching a plan by which he will take control of the oceans -- and then the world. Gloups! Je Suis Un Poisson was produced by a Danish creative team, and animated by talent from Denmark and Germany; the film's original Danish title was Haelp, Jeg Er En Fisk, while the film was screened in Europe in versions dubbed into French or German. An English language edition was prepared, with Alan Rickman and Terry Jones highlighting the voice cast. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Rickman, Terry Jones, (more)
- 1999
The history of one Monty Python's Flying Circus is examined in this release featuring interviews with the Pythons and friends, new sketches, "The Lost Python Mayday Special," and much more. An animated tribute from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone offers testament to Monty Python's enduring influence in the world of comedy, and pop singer Meat Loaf takes the stage to introduce a series of the troupe's most memorable musical numbers including "The Lumberjack Song," "The Spam Song," and "Every Sperm Is Sacred." ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1999
While most authors deal with writer's block at one time or another, Darius (Albert Dupontel) seems to have a worst case than most -- and has found a far more extreme solution. A playwright of note, Darius developed a drinking problem after his first major hit, and has taken time out from writing his follow-up to go to a clinic and dry out. After his release, Darius finds his producer has hired a leading lady for his next show, booked the theater and advertised the starting date -- all without Darius writing so much as a word of this new play. Darius desperately tries to come up with ideas, but nothing comes to mind, with an inflexible deadline staring him in the face. One day, Darius kills a neighbor's cat by accident; terribly depressed, he swallows some sedatives and falls asleep at his computer -- only to awake with the beginning of his play glowing on the screen. Darius is now convinced he must kill in order to create, and starts murdering an ever-expanding variety of creatures in order to satisfy his now bloodthirsty muse. Albert Dupontel wrote and directed Le Createur, as well as playing Darius; the film also features a cameo from former Monty Python member Terry Jones, as God. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Albert Dupontel, Claude Perron, (more)
- 1998
This film features all the surviving members of Python, gathered together to perform at a comedy festival in Colorado. Many of the group's favorite skits are performed. Also featured are classic clips from the television program and interviews with the cast members who reminisce and engage in the banter they're famous for. Making a special appearance is the late Graham Chapman, here in an urn. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide
A woman, Magdalen McElhinney (Alix D. Smith), sits in a sleazy Philadelphia bar, offering herself for a price. But she's not selling sex; she's selling stories, and men and women come in and lay money down to hear her tales. One of her more demanding customers, Mr. Jones (Terry Jones) is an angry black businessman. He pays to hear the same erotic story again and again, though he's never satisfied with the way Magdalen tells it. "You have to tell people what they want to hear," he chastises. Another bar patron, Jace (Jace Gaffney), is a blocked novelist. He talks to Nathan (Nathan Hopson), a struggling actor, about his visit to Magdalen. He wasn't impressed with the story she told, about her father, an egomaniacal bisexual filmmaker named Andrew who screws over everyone, but Jace plans to incorporate Magdalen into his novel. Magdalen is also "hired" by an older gentleman (David Semonin) who claims to be a virgin, and a mysterious elderly woman (Moira Rankin), who seems to know the story before Magdalen tells it. In between her "sessions," we see Magdalen record a video diary (mostly about her troubled relationship with her arrogant, destructive filmmaker father). There's also a dream sequence in which she confronts her father (played by the filmmaker, Andrew Repasky McElhinney), the source of most of her stories, and he discusses his own confused childhood. "If you don't like my stories, change them," he tells her. Magdalen, McElhinney's first feature, was made when he was still a teenager. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alix D. Smith, David Semonin, (more)
Former Monty Python members Terry Jones, Eric Idle, John Cleese, and Michael Palin were reunited by director Jones for this live-action adaptation of the 1908 children's fantasy classic by Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932). The actors have only slight physical changes to suggest animal characteristics, plus tails protruding from their Edwardian-style costumes. In pre-WW I England, fascist Weasels prowl the countryside, forcing modest Mole (Steve Coogan) from his underground home after the Weasels acquire the meadow from wealthy, waddling Mr. Toad (Jones). Toad's inheritance is leaking away because of his fascination with the recently invented motorcar. After Mole takes shelter with refined Rat (Idle), the two set out for Toad's cavernous mansion. Toad crashes into another vehicle, but unfortunately, his attorney (Cleese) has nothing nice to say in Toad's defense. Toad's behavior in court prompts the judge (Stephen Fry) to give him a century-long jail sentence. Rat and Mole plan to spring Toad with the help of the hibernating Badger (Nicol Williamson), but Toad simultaneously puts his own escape plan into motion. Back at Toad Hall, the Weasels construct a dog-food factory and intend to destroy the main house by blowing it up-so the threatened animals make plans to retake Toad Hall.
Crew members who worked on past Python films include James Acheson (production/costume design) and John Du Prez (original music and songs). Lawrence Van Gelder (New York Times) reviewed, "The Wind in the Willows, brimming with verbal and visual wit and imagination, driven by high adventure, reveling in English eccentricity, enlivened by bursts of song, unafraid of ideas and filled with color and splendid performances, exposes most other movies intended to attract children as out-and-out pap." This film should not be confused with the 1996 animated adaptation which also has Michael Palin in the cast. Filmed at Burnham Beeches (in Buckinghamshire, England). Other earlier versions: the second half of Disney's animated The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949); live-action by the Minneapolis Children's Theatre (1983); stop-motion animation for British TV (1983); 1982 stop-motion animation by John Semper (Spider-Man); and Rankin-Bass animation for U.S. TV (1987). ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
Crew members who worked on past Python films include James Acheson (production/costume design) and John Du Prez (original music and songs). Lawrence Van Gelder (New York Times) reviewed, "The Wind in the Willows, brimming with verbal and visual wit and imagination, driven by high adventure, reveling in English eccentricity, enlivened by bursts of song, unafraid of ideas and filled with color and splendid performances, exposes most other movies intended to attract children as out-and-out pap." This film should not be confused with the 1996 animated adaptation which also has Michael Palin in the cast. Filmed at Burnham Beeches (in Buckinghamshire, England). Other earlier versions: the second half of Disney's animated The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949); live-action by the Minneapolis Children's Theatre (1983); stop-motion animation for British TV (1983); 1982 stop-motion animation by John Semper (Spider-Man); and Rankin-Bass animation for U.S. TV (1987). ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Coogan, Eric Idle, (more)
- 1995
Hosted by former Monty Python member Terry Jones, this four-part series, The Crusades, delivers a comprehensive overview of this bloody period of history. Each program travels to the areas where actual battles and events took place while experts from historical and theological backgrounds discuss the details and their significance. Also included are passages from the surviving diaries of participants of the Crusades, casting light on the motivations of the people eagerly taking part in these devastating campaigns. In The Crusades -- Pilgrims in Arms: The Roots of the First Crusade, experts look at what motivated the very idea of launching this campaign. Was it to further the word of God as they saw it? Or was it of a more political nature, an attempt by the papacy to strengthen its political base? ~ Sean Hurley, All Movie Guide
- 1995
A group of good friends gather to help out a friend who has just returned from drug rehab in this drama. All of Brad's friends have gathered to welcome him back and celebrate. But most of his friends are troubled too. During the festivities, they rehash the events that lead up to his going. Despite their efforts to have fun, tension begins to form between the friends and violence ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Hosted by former Monty Python member Terry Jones, the four-part series The Crusades delivers a comprehensive overview of this bloody period of history. Each program travels to the areas where actual battles and events took place, while experts from historical and theological backgrounds discuss the details and their significance. Also included are passages from the surviving diaries of participants of the Crusades, casting light on the motivations of the people eagerly taking part in these devastating campaigns. In The Crusades -- Destruction: Defeat of the Crusaders, the Crusade of Richard the Lionhearted is explored to find the seeds of its eventual failure. It examines the massacres during the siege of Acre, the treaty of 1192 when Richard was forced to concede Jerusalem to Saladin, and the establishment of the Empire of Latins in Constantinople after the Crusade of Venetian statesman Enrico Dandolo. ~ Sean Hurley, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Hosted by former Monty Python member Terry Jones, this four-part series, The Crusades, delivers a comprehensive overview of this bloody period of history. Each program travels to the areas where actual battles and events took place, while experts from historical and theological backgrounds discuss the details and their significance. Also included are passages from the surviving diaries of participants of the Crusades, casting light on the motivations of the people eagerly taking part in these devastating campaigns. The Crusades -- Jihad: The Rise of Saladin chronicles the response that the Arab world gave to the gains of the Crusades. Jones takes the viewer from Syria to Jordan to shed light on the Arabs counter-crusade led by Muslim leader Saladin. Additionally, experts detail the political intrigue behind Saladin's rise to power as he tried to lead Muslims in winning back Jerusalem from the Christians. ~ Sean Hurley, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Hosted by former Monty Python member Terry Jones, this four-part series, The Crusades, delivers a comprehensive overview of this bloody period of history. Each program travels to the areas where actual battles and events took place while experts from historical and theological backgrounds discuss the details and their significance. Also included are passages from the surviving diaries of participants of the Crusades, casting light on the motivations of the people eagerly taking part in these devastating campaigns. In The Crusades -- Jerusalem: The Bloody Path of the Crusades, Jones and company follow the bloody path from Bosphorus to the Holy City. The program details the difficulties faced by the Crusaders as they moved through Syrian towns, and how their solutions were sometimes unspeakably barbaric, even going as far as turning to cannibalism. Jones' commentary is supported by written accounts from eyewitnesses as well as testimony from experts. ~ Sean Hurley, All Movie Guide
This British slice-n-dicer features plenty of blood and gore as it chronicles the events at St. Caninus, a run-down private hospital. Chaos reigns at the hospital following major budget cuts by its wealthy owners. They are considering making even more. Meanwhile the head of research has been murdered and now Penny, head of the women's ward, and Dr. Rogers, a slime ball, are battling it out. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peta Lily, Philip Pellew, (more)
