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Monty Python's Flying Circus
1969 - 1974 8.2 (642 votes) 4 Seasons
Genres
Comedy
Networks
BBC One
Created By
Ian MacNaughton
John Howard Davies

Monty Python's Flying Circus

And now for something completely different...

Overview

A British sketch comedy series with the shows being composed of surreality, risqué or innuendo-laden humour, sight gags and observational sketches without punchlines.

Key Crew

Producer: Ian MacNaughton

Top Cast

Graham Chapman
Graham Chapman

Various

Michael Palin
Michael Palin

Various / "It's" man

Terry Jones
Terry Jones

Various

Eric Idle
Eric Idle

Various

Terry Gilliam
Terry Gilliam

Various

Seasons

Season 0 poster
Season 0 ()

No overview available.

33 episodes

Episodes
Episode 3: Jabberwocky
1977-04-15

After the death of his father the young cooper 'Dennis Cooper' goes to town where he has to pass several adventures. The town and the whole kingdom is threatened by a terrible monster called 'Jabberwocky'. Will Dennis make his fortune? Is anyone brave enough to defeat the monster? A medieval tale with Pythonesque humour.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 5: Live at the Hollywood Bowl
1982-06-25

A collection of skits that made the Python troup famous, performed live at the Hollywood Bowl. Included are the singing philosophers, lumberjacks, the pope, and a suspiciously-male looking seabird vendor.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 10: Live at Aspen
1998-03-21

Monty Python Live at Aspen was a reunion show featuring the five surviving members of Monty Python: John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. Graham Chapman was also allegedly in attendance as his "ashes" were brought out in an urn. The Pythons looked back at their work and received an American Film Industry award. It also featured some memorable moments when Gilliam 'accidentally' kicked over the urn, which Eric Idle said was their biggest audience laugh ever. It was hosted by Robert Klein and featured a cameo by Eddie Izzard.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 11: Python Night
1999-10-05

Python Night - 30 Years of Python was a special run of Monty Python related programs broadcast on BBC2 on October 5, 1999, the 30th Anniversary of the first broadcast of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 12: What the Pythons Did Next...
2007-01-01

A look at the careers of John Cleese, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam in the years after Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 13: Monty Python In Aberystwyth
2009-05-12

In 1979, Monty Python's Life of Brian opened in cinemas around Britain, finding a place for itself in movie history. However, the film's release was plagued by controversy, causing many local authorities to ban showings of the feature. By 2009, the ban only remains in place in Aberystwyth. This documentary reveals how Sue Jones-Davies, the city's mayor — and the actor who played Brian's girlfriend in the movie — has campaigned to have the ban lifted. Includes contributions by Pythons Michael Palin and Terry Jones

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 14: Birds Eye Industrial Film

A short film by Monty Python made in the early 1970s, never intended to be seen by the public, only for the employees of Birds Eye. Although these industrial films are largely aimed at the staff of said companies, the information they provide is injected by a large dose of typically Python humor and is essential viewing for the Python completeness.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 15: Harmony Hairspray Industrial Film

A short film by Monty Python made in the early 1970s, never intended to be seen by the public, only for the employees of Harmony Hairspray. Although these industrial films are largely aimed at the staff of said companies, the information they provide is injected by a large dose of typically Python humor and is essential viewing for the Python completeness.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 16: Close Up Toothpaste Industrial Film

A short film by Monty Python made in the early 1970s, never intended to be seen by the public, only for the employees of Close Up toothpaste. Although these industrial films are largely aimed at the staff of said companies, the information they provide is injected by a large dose of typically Python humor and is essential viewing for the Python completeness.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 17: The Pythons - Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979

50 minute documentary, made on location in Tunisia during the shooting of Monty Python's Life of Brian. There are interviews with all of the troupe, excerpts from the TV series and their earlier films, and from some of the solo projects the individuals worked on. Some of the rehearsals for this film are shown. This is actually a fascinating documentary and a superb extra to the film. It gives an insight into the personalities of each of the performers and their relationships with one another. No Monty Python fan should be without this. From the Criterion Edition DVD.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 18: The Secret Life of Brian
2007-01-01

A documentary about the making of the controversial Life of Brian and the surrounding accusations of blasphemy

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 19: The Life of Python
1999-10-09

The Life of Python was a special run of Monty Python related programs broadcast on BBC2 on October 5, 1999, the 30th Anniversary of the first broadcast of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 20: Monty Python: Almost The Truth - The BBC Lawyer's Cut
2009-10-03

To commemorate the 'Ruby Jubilee' of Monty Python, this film takes us on a journey telling the story of the Pythons from start to finish. Starting with the very humble beginnings of how the legendary British comedy troupe emerged, we learn how the cast met, their early influences and how they went on to create ground-breaking television, and their transition into movies that would change the face of comedy forever. Featuring brand new interviews with John Cleese, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, and Eric Idle as well as archive interviews from Graham Chapman, this film explores the highs and the lows, and examines how Monty Python became a British institution. This is the first time the Pythons have come together for a film project since 1983's Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 21: Olympic sketch (German)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 24: Animated Gilliam

Terry Gilliam dissects his animated opening sequences for all four series of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Runtime: 16 min
Episode 25: Politically Incorrect
1973-01-11

The sketch so controversial that it had to be dropped by the BBC before it could be seen again.

Runtime: 3 min
Episode 27: How to Irritate People

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 28: The Secret Policeman's Ball

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 32: Silly Occupations

A DVD extra from DVD 1

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 33: GilliAnimations

A DVD extra

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 34: Hysterical Figures

A DVD extra from Volume 1 Disc 2

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 35: The Talent Show

The semaphore version of "Wuthering Heights" sketch from Episode 15 A DVD extra from DVD 3

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 36: Pythonolympics

A DVD extra from DVD 4

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 37: Naughty Bits

A DVD extra from DVD 5

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 38: Monty Queries

A DVD extra from DVD 6

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 39: Tutor Manners

A DVD extra from DVD 6

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 40: Montykaraoke

A DVD extra from DVD 8

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 41: And Now... The BBC

A DVD extra from DVD 8

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 42: Pet Peeves

A DVD extra from DVD 9

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 43: Amazing Feats

A DVD extra from DVD 10

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 44: Explosive Situations

A DVD extra from DVD 11

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 45: Spreichen Zie Python?

A DVD extra

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 46: The Cleese Shop

A DVD extra from DVD 12

Runtime: 30 min
Season 1 poster
Season 1 (1969)

No overview available.

13 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Whither Canada?
1969-10-05

Featuring 'It's Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart', an Italian lesson, Whizzo Butter, 'It's the Arts', Arthur 'Two-Sheds' Jackson, a cycling race, and The Funniest Joke in the World.

Runtime: 31 min
Episode 2: Sex and Violence
1969-10-12

Featuring some flying sheep, a man with three buttocks, a man with two noses, musical mice, a marriage guidance counsellor, a working-class playwright and The Wrestling Epilogue.

Runtime: 33 min
Episode 3: How to Recognise Different Types of Trees from Quite a Long Way Away
1969-10-19

Featuring a court scene, the larch, Bicycle Repair Man, children's stories, a restaurant sketch, some seduced milkmen, an interview with some children and a stolen newsreader.

Runtime: 31 min
Episode 4: Owl Stretching Time
1969-10-26

Featuring fresh fruit as self-defence, some folk-singing, an art gallery sketch and Lemming of the BDA. An Edwardian man struggles to undress on the beach.

Runtime: 29 min
Episode 5: Man's Crisis of Identity in the Latter Half of the 20th Century
1969-11-16

Featuring Confuse-a-Cat, discussion programme A Duck, a Cat and a Lizard, the arrest of a newsreader, an erotic film, a silly job interview and a burglar/encyclopaedia salesman.

Runtime: 29 min
Episode 6: It's the Arts
1969-11-23

Featuring a gang of legal burglars, the Whizzo Quality Assortment, a Scottish wedding and a day in the life of a city stockbroker. Some film moguls try to impress their boss.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 7: Oh, You're No Fun Anymore
1969-11-30

Featuring camel-spotting, an embezzler at a board-meeting and a science fiction tale about a Scotsman and a tennis-playing blancmange.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 8: Full Frontal Nudity
1969-12-07

Featuring an art critic, some hermits, Hell's Grannies and the dead parrot sketch. Some newlyweds attempt to buy a bed and the mafia offer protecting to the army.

Runtime: 29 min
Episode 9: The Ant, An Introduction
1969-12-14

Featuring Ken Buddha, a man with a tape-recorder up his nose and a hairdresser who always wanted to be a lumberjack.

Runtime: 29 min
Episode 10: Untitled
1969-12-21

Featuring a bank robber in a lingerie shop, It's A Tree (with Arthur Tree), a vocational guidance counsellor, Ron Obvious and a gorilla librarian.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 11: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Goes to the Bathroom
1969-12-28

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra goes to the bathroom, a footballer is interviewed and Batley Townswomen's Guild re-enact the invasion of Pearl Harbour.

Runtime: 31 min
Episode 12: The Naked Ant
1970-01-04

Featuring the North Minehead by-election, the Upper Class Twit of the Year competition, Ken Shabby and a Party Political Broadcast on behalf of the Wood Party.

Runtime: 31 min
Episode 13: Intermission
1970-01-11

Featuring some historical impersonations, a cinema usherette with a dead seabird, restaurant abuse and Probe Around On Crime.

Runtime: 29 min
Season 2 poster
Season 2 (1970)

No overview available.

13 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Face the Press
1970-09-15

Featuring Doug and Dinsdale Piranha, Face the Press and the Ministry of Silly Walks. Mrs G Pinnet buys a new gas cooker.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 2: The Spanish Inquisition
1970-09-22

Featuring the Spanish Inquisition, courtroom charades and a semaphore interpretation of Wuthering Heights.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 3: Déjà Vu
1970-09-29

Featuring the work of the poet Euan McTeagle, a psychiatrist milkman and some exploding animals. A television presenter suffers from a severe case of deja vu.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 4: The Buzz Aldrin Show
1970-10-20

More surreal humour from the Monty Python team. Sketches include The Architects, How to Recognise a Mason, Poets and the Chemist sketch.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 5: Live from the Grill-O-Mat
1970-10-27

Featuring gameshow Blackmail, The Society for Putting Things on Top of Other Things, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and boxer Ken Clean-Air System.

Runtime: 29 min
Episode 6: It's a Living
1970-11-03

Featuring It's a Living and a school prize-giving. Timmy Williams presents a new chat show and the fate of the Silly Party hangs in the balance in an Election Night Special.

Runtime: 29 min
Episode 7: The Attila the Hun Show
1970-11-11

Featuring the Attila the Hun Show, a rat catcher, a village idiot, some killer sheep and news for parrots.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 8: Archaeology Today
1970-11-17

Featuring Mrs Beethoven, the Reverend Arthur Belling, some Australian Mosquito Hunters and a drink party with the Gits.

Runtime: 29 min
Episode 9: How to Recognise Different Parts of the Body
1970-11-24

Featuring a guide on how to recognise parts of the body, a singing policeman, an interview with a plastic surgeon, a camp soldiers' drill and the Verrifast Plane Company.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 10: Scott of the Antarctic
1970-12-01

Featuring a special report into the shooting of Scott of the Antarctic, from Paignton. Also, a man tries to purchase a fish licence.

Runtime: 29 min
Episode 11: How Not to Be Seen
1970-12-08

Features gags and sketches such as Job Hunter, Railway Timetables, How Not to be Seen and Interview in a Filing Cabinet.

Runtime: 29 min
Episode 12: Spam
1970-12-15

The sketches in this episode include Dirty Hungarian Phrasebook, World Forum-Communist Quiz, Hospital for Over-Actors and Spam.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 13: Royal Episode 13
1970-12-22

Sketches in this episode include How to Feed a Goldfish, The Man Who Says Things in a Very Roundabout Way and Lifeboat.

Runtime: 30 min
Season 3 poster
Season 3 (1972)

No overview available.

13 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Whicker's World
1972-10-19

Features gags and sketches such as Multiple Murderer Court Scene, Njorl's Saga and Whicker’s World.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 2: Mr. and Mrs. Brian Norris' Ford Popular
1972-10-26

Features Emigration from Surbiton to Hounslow, The Fish Slapping Dance, SS Mother Goose, Trim-Jeans Theatre and some very famous guests.

Runtime: 29 min
Episode 3: The Money Programme
1972-11-02

Features The Money Programme, Erizabeth L, Dead Bishop, Jungle Restaurant and The Argument Skit.

Runtime: 29 min
Episode 4: Blood, Devastation, Death, War and Horror
1972-11-09

Features gags and sketches such as Blood, Devastation, Death, War and Horror, The Man who Speaks in Anagrams and Pantomime Horses.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 5: The All-England Summarise Proust Competition
1972-11-16

Featuring in this episode The All-England Summarise Proust Competition, Fire Brigade, Travel Agent and Party Hints with Veronica Smalls.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 6: The War Against Pornography
1972-11-23

Sketches in this episode include Tory Housewives Clean-up Campaign, Gumby Brain Specialist, Expedition to Lake Pahoe and The Silliest Interview We've Ever Had.

Runtime: 28 min
Episode 7: Salad Days
1972-11-30

Features gags and sketches such as Biggles Dictates a Letter, Climbing the North Face of the Uxbridge Road, Lifeboat and The Cheese Shop.

Runtime: 28 min
Episode 8: The Cycling Tour
1972-12-07

This episode tells the story of Mr Pither as he embarks on his Cycling Tour.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 9: The Nude Organist
1972-12-14

Features gags and sketches such as Bomb on Plane, Mortuary Hour, The Olympic Hide-and-Seek Final, The Cheap Laughs and Prices on the Planet Algon.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 10: E. Henry Thripshaw's Disease
1972-12-21

Sketches include The Tudor Jobs Agency, Elizabethan Pornography Smugglers, Thripshaw's Disease and The Man Who Says Words in the Wrong Order.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 11: Dennis Moore
1973-01-04

Features the sketches Dennis Moore, What the Stars Foretell, The Ideal Loon Exhibition, Off-Licence and Prejudice.

Runtime: 31 min
Episode 12: A Book at Bedtime
1973-01-11

Features gags and sketches such as A Book at Bedtime, Kamikaze Scotsmen, No Time to Lose, Spot the Looney and Frontiers of Medicine-Penguins.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 13: Grandstand (or: The British Showbiz Awards)
1973-01-18

Sketches include The Oscar Wilde Sketch, David Niven’s Fridge, Pasolini’s ‘The Third Test Match’, New Brain from Currys, Blood Donor and the Dirty Vicar Sketch.

Runtime: 26 min

Videos

Monty Pythons Flying Circus Trailer SamSerial

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