Michael Palin Movies
British actor/satirist Michael Palin first demonstrated his writing and performing skills at Oxford University's Experimental Theatre Club. Almost immediately upon graduation, Palin was snatched up by the BBC, which made excellent use of his scathing wit and thespic versatility in such series as Twice a Fortnight and The Complete and Utter History of Britain. A relative latecomer to the fabled Monty Python troupe, Palin made up for lost time, writing and performing in the group's long-running TV series and in such big-screen projects as Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) and Life of Brian (1978); he also wrote much of the musical score for Monty Python's the Meaning of Life (1983). To date, Palin and Cleese have been the two ex-Pythonites most active as solo performers. Palin was hilarious as the green-as-grass Reverend Charles Fort, ministering to "fallen women" ("Women who've tripped?") in The Missionary (1982) and as stuttering doofus Ken in A Fish Called Wanda (1988), winning a British Film Association award for the latter performance. Palin remained active in television into the 1990s with cheeky projects like Ripping Yarns (1976), Do Not Adjust Your Set (1977-79) and Palin's Column (1994). An inveterate globetrotter, Michael Palin channelled his wanderlust into his tongue-in-cheek TV miniseries Around the World in 80 Days (1989) and Pole to Pole (1991). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2007
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In his post-Monty Python years, British comic and belletrist Michael Palin unquestionably made one of his strongest marks as a host of popular travel-themed cable documentary series, including Around the World in 80 Days With Michael Palin (1989), Pole to Pole with Michael Palin (1992), and Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure (2000). The seven-part BBC miniseries Michael Palin's New Europe (2007) finds Palin journeying through the former satellite countries of the Iron Curtain, including Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and Macedonia. In each episode, Palin hones in on a few select geographic areas and takes an on-camera tour of each - meeting the locals, surveying the landscapes and the buildings, sampling the food and engaging in numerous unforeseen adventures as only he can, with his trademark dry wit in abundance. He thus introduces western audiences to a series of entire cultures that were sealed off from outside view during nearly a century of Soviet rule - and thus, countries "newly added" to the mainstream European community (hence the title of the program). ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Palin
- 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
- 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 Michael Palin'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
- 2003
The peripatetic Michael Palin, former Monty Pythonite and renowned globetrotter, presided over this four-part cable TV travelogue. Starting off at Gilbraltar, Palin began an arduous journey through the Sahara Desert, somehow keeping his wits and sense of humor as the merciless sun bore down. The tenor of the series can be summed up in the episode titles: "A Line in the Sand," "Destination Timbuktu," "Absolute Delight," and "Dire Straights." Its TV release coinciding with the publication of a book about the star's dessert odyssey, Michael Palin's Travels: Sahara made its American cable bow over the Bravo network on April 6, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
The human face is what attracts and repels humans meeting other humans. This process is mysterious. This four-volume program from The Learning Channel investigates many aspects of the human face, from beauty to facial expression. John Cleese acts as narrator and host to a number of guests who discuss the power of the face. Skits and personal interviews highlight the points made in the production. The four episodes include Secrets of the Face, The Endlessly Fascinating Face, Does Beauty Matter?, and Famous Faces. This episode examines reading a face and its expressions and what one can learn about its owner. Case studies in stereotyping, victimization, and fame illustrate the importance of the face on the daily lives of humans. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 2001
The human face is what attracts and repels humans meeting other humans. This attraction is mysterious. This four-volume program from The Learning Channel investigates many aspects of the human face, from beauty to facial expression. John Cleese acts as narrator and host to a number of guests who discuss the power of the face. Skits and personal interviews highlight the points made in the production. The four episodes include Secrets of the Face, The Endlessly Fascinating Face, Does Beauty Matter?, and Famous Faces. This episode examines the importance of a smile. In addition to changing one's disposition for the better, a smiling face often alters how other people view and evaluate the owner of the face that wears a smile. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 2001
The human face is what attracts and repels humans meeting other humans. This process is mysterious. This four-volume program from The Learning Channel investigates many aspects of the human face, from beauty to facial expression. John Cleese acts as narrator and host to a number of guests who discuss the power of the face. Skits and personal interviews highlight the points made in the production. The four episodes include Secrets of the Face, The Endlessly Fascinating Face, Does Beauty Matter?, and Famous Faces. In this episode, people with faces considered beautiful or ugly talk about the effect their faces have had on their lives and their interactions with other people. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 2001
The human face is what attracts and repels humans meeting other humans. This process is mysterious. This four-volume program from The Learning Channel investigates many aspects of the human face, from beauty to facial expression. John Cleese acts as narrator and host to a number of guests who discuss the power of the face. Skits and personal interviews highlight the points made in the production. The four episodes include Secrets of the Face, The Endlessly Fascinating Face, Does Beauty Matter?, and Famous Faces. In this episode, the subject is the impact of a famous face, both on others and the face's owner. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Ernest Hemingway cut a very impressive figure both as an author and as an individual, and in this two-part documentary series, actor and comedian Michael Palin retraces the steps of "Papa"'s long journey as he tries to learn more about his life and his macho lifestyle. Palin visits Oak Park, IL, where Hemingway was born, and Ketchum, ID, where the author took his own life; in between, he makes stops in Spain (in time to enjoy the running of the bulls in Pamplona and bullfighting in Valencia), Italy (where Palin drives an ambulance, as Hemingway did during World War I), Havana (where he visits Hemingway's favorite fishing spots), Paris (including a tour of the flat where Hemingway stayed while living in France), Northern Michigan (the site of Hemingway's summer cottage), and Key West, FL (where Palin attends the city's annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest). Michael Palin wrote the film and also serves as host and narrator; Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure was shown in America on PBS on May 3, 2000. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Palin
- 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
- 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
- 1996
This beautifully rendered British animated version of Kenneth Grahame's enduring children's classic features the voices of Michael Gambon, Michael Palin, Alan Bennett and Rik Mayall; it is narrated by Vanessa Redgrave who frames the story while reading her children a bedtime story. The story is set beside an ever changing river that "always remains the same," and chronicles the adventures of the timid, unworldly Mole and the pragmatic dreamer Rat, as they embark on Mole's first trip into the great river. There they have many fun and scary times encountering such characters as the menacing Badger and the outrageous, carefree Mr. Toad. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
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)
- 1994
Comedian and former Monty Python member Michael Palin takes the viewer on a lush ride across the Emerald Isle in Irish Railway Journey: Derry to Kerry. This one-hour travelogue features the comedian as he meets and greets his way through the countryside. The trip begins in Northern Ireland's Derry, where the landscape is stark and impressive. Palin stops off at Shane's Castle to get a ride on Lord O'Neil's private steam engine. As he winds his way south, Palin tours Belfast's devastation. He chugs into Dublin where the people are charming and the streets reflect a growing sophistication. He introduces a cross-section of locals to the camera and then journeys on. The Wicklow Mountains loom from the train window, serving as perfect backdrop to cottages in Cork. Rolling hillsides and picturesque sheep inhabit county Kerry where Palin comes to rest. The actor adds another dimension to the mission as he searches for his great grandmother along the way. The Railway Journey allows a broad view of Ireland, one populated by natural beauty and unforgettable characters. ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide
- 1991
A delightful presentation of the classic story, Jack and The Beanstalk. This production is part of the "Rabbit Ears: We All Have Tales" series. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1990
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
- 1989
This is a retrospective of the British comedy troupe on their 20th anniversary. Hosted by comedian Steve Martin, many of the group's most famous routines are showcased. Included are such gems as the Spam diner, the lingerie-clad lumberjacks, and the officials from the Ministry of Silly Walks. ~ Brian Gusse, All Movie Guide
