When Monty Python was formed in 1969, their style of comedy was often compared to the fresh, freewheeling inventiveness that The Beatles were bringing to the music of the time. The Fabs (especially George, who would later fund the making of 1979’s Life of Brian) were huge fans of the troupe. Other rock groups were also drawn to Python’s anarchic hilarity, including members of Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Genesis, and Led Zeppelin. The Pythons were a huge, irreverent break from the old-fashioned music hall style of comedy their generation had first been exposed to.
After their popular BBC sketch series, Monty Python’s Flying Circus ended its run in 1974, the group wanted to try their hand at the big screen. They’d worked out a rough idea around the story of King Arthur but predictably turned the revered medieval tale on its dusty arse.
The only problem? No movie studio would finance Monty Python and The Holy Grail. Perhaps execs were shy to open the checkbooks because neither Terry Gilliam nor Terry Jones had ever directed a full-length film. Perhaps they were also hesitant, knowing that the troupe wasn’t shy about pushing every boundary they ran up against, and the end result would be way too unpredictable.
So here Python was, ready to go with a killer rabbit (whose owner was later mad that his pet was covered in red dye that wouldn’t rinse out), Knights Who Say “Ni,” and plenty of action slated for Castle Anthrax. But the coffers were empty. It looked like the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch was about to blow up the whole plan (“Three, sir!”).
Thinking outside of the box (as usual), Python approached some of their friends in the rock world for financing. This proved to be a genius idea. The UK tax rate at the time was a whopping 90 percent. Investing in a film provided them with a healthy tax break. Eric Idle noted that about ten different groups and individuals, including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Genesis, and Jethro Tull (plus reportedly, Elton John) kicked in money to make the film. The average contribution was roughly 10,000 British pounds each towards the shooting budget.
Besides the cash, the upside for Python was that these rock star financiers were also fans and, unlike the studios, would leave them alone to do what they did best: wreak havoc. And so the shoot began in the spring of 1974, mostly on location in Scotland, and lasting for five weeks. By all accounts, the experience was frequently rainy, cold, and uncomfortable; on the first day, the crew had hauled camera equipment to the first location, only to have the camera gears break after the very first take.
They were denied access to several of the castles they’d originally scouted (“Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time-uh”). They had to improvise multiple scenes around the ones that they DID have; Castle Doune in Stirling served as three different locations. (Fun fact: it’s also been used in the popular TV series Outlander and Game of Thrones).
Of course, the use of multiple horses was cost-prohibitive – hence, those famous coconuts. And during it all, Graham Chapman (King Arthur) was suffering from his crippling alcoholism.
As they often did during their career, the members of Python frequently fought during the shoot. The miserable Scottish weather, time pressures, and need to improvise on the fly didn’t help. But in the end, their movie has been ranked by some critics as the second-best comedy of all time, behind Airplane!
In April 1975, Monty Python and the Holy Grail made its premiere. Initial reviews were lukewarm. In its first week in New York, it grossed $35,000, and in its first 3 weeks in London, $122,000.
But over the years, the beloved comedy, shot for $400K, has grossed over $5 million and spawned the hit Broadway musical Spamalot. What Monty Python and the Holy Grail has really generated are endless quotes, timeless sight-gags, and silly British comedy that never gets old.
And we can thank their creative counterparts in the rock world for helping bring it to the screen. Who knew that Pink Floyd’s “Money” paid for Patsy’s coconuts?
-Cindy Grogan
Fair use image from Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Great article about a great film..
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
“You have to know these things when you’re king, you know?”
“It’s only a flesh wound”
“Cut this down with a herring”
“Some call me….Tim”
“Spank me, no, spank me”
“I fart in your general direction”
I could do this all day, Steve. And have.
Cindy – Good article except for one glaringly obvious mistake. You’ve spelt chequebook incorrectly (i.e. the American way). Bearing in mind this is an article about an English film made with English actors and backed by English money, I think it’s only right to use English spelling.
Over the years, I’ve spent my American dollars on midnight movie theater tickets, video rentals, and ultimately DVD purchases of this wonderful film. But for my penance, I will now cut down a tall tree…with a herring.