Terry Jones Movies

This 56-minute video celebrates 25 years' worth of inspired lunacy from Britain's Monty Python's Flying Circus. Loyal Pythonites John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam are interviewed, offering surprisingly sobersided insight as to what made their zany aggregation tick. Highlights include vintage clips from the Monty Python TV series, as well as vignettes from the group's theatrical features and concert appearances. As a bonus, we are treated to rare vignettes never before shown on American television. If you've never been exposed to such classic routines as "Dead Parrot", "Lumberjack" and "Department of Silly Walks", don't pass up this opportunity. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

An unusually principled young Viking becomes increasing uncomfortable with all the killing and plundering that goes with the job, and sets out on a magical journey in order to bring about world peace. Former Monty Python member Terry Jones attempts to have his story of Erik's seemingly hopeless quest operate as both witty, lunatic satire and sincere children's fantasy. However, despite a good cast and some interesting design elements, the film fails to completely succeed at either of its goals. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

This comedy was inspired by the true story of Cynthia Payne, a former waitress who gained fame as England's best-known (and best-liked) madame. Christine Painter (Julie Walters) is a working-class single mother who sub-leases a few inexpensive flats as a way of bringing in extra money. Christine has no particular interest in selling her body, but when she finds herself in a tight spot financially -- and notices that the prostitutes who rent her apartments are the only ones who consistently pay on time -- she decides to open a brothel. With the help of Shirley (Shirley Stelfox), an experienced prostie, and Morton (Alec McCowen), a former RAF commander with a fondness for women's undergarments, Christine opens a little place where elderly businessmen can indulge their fondness for kinky lingerie and being spanked by younger women. Soon Christine's business is booming and everyone is happy -- until the police pay her a visit. Personal Services was directed by Terry Jones, best known as a member of the Monty Python troupe; the real-life Cynthia Payne served as a technical advisor. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

The Secret Policeman's Private Parts, the second of two concert films produced on behalf of Amnesty International, is better photographed than the first (The Secret Policeman's Other Ball) but not quite as enjoyable. As in the earlier film, the show is stolen by the Monty Python aggregation: John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman and Terry Gilliam. Also on hand are former Beyond the Fringe-er Peter Cook and musicians Pete Townshend, Phil Collins and Donovan. Fans of the artists will probably get a bigger kick out of Private Parts than casual moviegoers. Like Other Ball, Private Parts fully deserves its R rating. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The highlights of two benefit concerts staged in support of Amnesty International are collected in this British performance film, which features ample helpings of both music and comedy. The members of the Monty Python comedy troupe serve as headliners, performing live variations on some of their most famous sketches. Additional humor is provided by such luminaries as Peter Cook, while the musical segments include performances by Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, and Sting, amongst others. While all of the performers deliver the goods, the film's overall effectiveness is unfortunately limited by the purely functional direction and often poor image quality. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

Some of the biggest and brightest stars in British comedy appear in this performance film, which documents a revue staged by John Cleese of Monty Python as a benefit for the human rights group Amnesty International. In addition to Cleese and fellow Python members Michael Palin and Terry Jones (who reprise skits from the Python show as well as its lesser-known predecessor At Last The 1948 Show), The Secret Policeman's Ball includes sketches featuring Rowan Atkinson (shortly before his breakthrough success on the UK television series Not The Nine O'Clock News), Peter Cook (who performs classic material from the show Beyond The Fringe), Eleanor Bron, Clive James and The Kevin Campbell Road Show. The show also includes acoustic musical performances from Pete Townshend of the Who, classical guitarist John Williams (who joins Townshend for a version of "Won't Get Fooled Again") and activist singer/songwriter Tom Robinson. The Secret Policeman's Ball was the third in a series of benefits shows organized by Cleese for Amnesty International, and the name was recycled for several filmed stage shows that followed. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

From its opening multi-language titles (that sure looks like Swedish) to the closing arrest of the entire Dark Ages cast by modern-day bobbies, Monty Python and the Holy Grail helped to define "irreverence" and became an instant cult classic. This time the Pythonites savage the legend of King Arthur, juxtaposing some excellently selected exterior locations with an unending stream of anachronistic one-liners, non sequiturs, and slapstick set pieces. The Knights of the Round Table set off in search of the Holy Grail on foot, as their lackeys make clippety-clop sounds with coconut shells. A plague-ridden community, ringing with the cry of "bring out your dead," offers its hale and hearty citizens to the body piles. A wedding of convenience is attacked by Arthur's minions while the pasty-faced groom continually attempts to burst into song. The good guys are nearly thwarted by the dreaded, tree-shaped "Knights Who Say Ni!" A feisty enemy warrior, bloodily shorn of his arms and legs in the thick of battle, threatens to bite off his opponent's kneecap. A French military officer shouts such taunts as "I fart in your general direction" and "I wave my private parts at your aunties." Rabbits are a particular obsession of the writers this time around, ranging from the huge Trojan Rabbit to the "killer bunny" that decapitates one of the knights. Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin collaborated on the script and assumed most of the onscreen roles, while Gilliam and Jones served as co-directors. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this episode, England is held in thrall by Mr. Neutron, the deadliest man in the world. As Mr. Neutron enjoys the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Entrail, the Federal Egg Answering Room (F.E.A.R) tries to ascertain Neutron's whereabouts. The only man capable of saving humanity is Teddy Salad, who is somewhere in the Yukon, breeding rabbits. Captain Carpenter discovers that Teddy is posing as a sled dog, and lures him away with a pretty bone. The naked Supreme Commander declares all-out war on Neutron by bombing the wrong cities. By the time Neutron is finished, the only city left standing is Ruislip in the Gobi Desert, and Neutron's sweetheart Mrs. S.C.U.M. has been elected the most beautiful woman in the world by default. One of the few Monty Python's Flying Circus programs to feature a single sustained sketch, "Mr. Neutron" first aired November 28, 1974. In addition to the supporting appearances of Carol Cleveland, Bob E. Raymond, and Sloopy the Dog, the show was to have featured the song stylings of Neil Innes, but time unfortunately ran out. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this episode, Hamlet visits a psychiatrist and confesses that he's always wanted to be a private detective. The Melancholy Dane's sexual hang-ups are dissected by two bogus shrinks, at which point Dr. Bruce Genuine saves the day. The comfy chair used by the host of "Nationwide" is identified as having been stolen from Mrs. Edgeworth. A bride's father shares a bed with his daughter and her husband for the purpose of building a model ship. In "Boxing Tonight," the fight ends when the champ loses his head and arms, just as he'd done in the past six bouts. Mrs. Gorilla, Mrs. Non-Gorilla, and Mrs. Non-Smoker try to watch a soap opera, but end up spouting Shakespeare instead. And a visit to Polonius' House leads to an on-the-spot report from the Queen Victoria Handicap, with eight Queen Victorias in competition. First broadcast November 21, 1974, "Hamlet" features Carol Cleveland, Connie Booth, Jimmy Hill, Bob E. Raymond, and K.Joseph. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this episode, Chris Quinn enters a department store and demands to buy an ant named Marcus. When Chris goes home, his mum informs him that Michael Ellis -- for whom he has been repeatedly mistaken -- has been looking for him. On his own, Chris attends a poetry reading, in which Wordsworth, Shelley, and Keats dedicate their poems to ants not named Marcus. His next stop is Toupee Hall, where a faulty flame-thrower left over from the first sketch wreaks havoc. Just before entering the End of the Show Department, Chris is informed that Michael Ellis Week is over, and Chris Quinn Week has begun. Featuring Carol Cleveland and John Hughman, "Michael Ellis" is made up of unused material from the theatrical feature Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The episode first aired November 7, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Sometime between seasons two and three of Monty Python's Flying Circus, the series' cast appeared in a 50-minute special that aired exclusively on German television. Popularly known as "Monty Python in Deutschland," this filmed special consisted almost entirely of new material, save for a sketch in which "Colin 'Bomber' Harris'" wrestles with himself. Other bits included a running gag involving an Olympic torch runner, an interview with a Frenchman who had been to the toilet only once in five years (a fact confirmed by such celebrities as Richard Nixon and the Pope), an all-cow version of The Merchant of Venice, and a "traditionally" violent bill of fare at a Bavarian restaurant. According to the late Graham Chapman, the special aired opposite an English-German football match, leaving the Pythonites with an audience comprised entirely of critics. Even so, "Monty Python in Deutschland" was successful enough to warrant a sequel in 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide