"Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969) TV series 1969-1974

User Rating:

9.4/10   

Creators:

Graham Chapman
John Cleese
Terry Gilliam

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | unknown

Release Date:

5 October 1969 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Music

Plot:

The original surreal sketch comedy showcase for the Monty Python troupe.

Plot Keywords:

Monty Python | Sketch Comedy | Comedy Troupe | Cult Comedy | Absurdism

Awards:

3 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Graham Chapman	...	Various / ... (46 episodes, 1969-1974)
Eric Idle	...	Various / ... (46 episodes, 1969-1974)
Terry Jones	...	Various / ... (46 episodes, 1969-1974)
Michael Palin	...	It's Man / ... (46 episodes, 1969-1974)
Terry Gilliam	...	Various / ... (46 episodes, 1969-1974)
John Cleese	...	Announcer / ... (40 episodes, 1969-1973)
Carol Cleveland	...	Various / ... (34 episodes, 1969-1974)

Also Known As:

"Gwen Dibley's Flying Circus" (UK) (working title)
"Monty Python" (UK) (new title)
"Owl-Stretching Time" (UK) (working title)
"Monty Python's Flying Circus" (Greece) (DVD title) [el]
"Monty Pythonin lentävä sirkus" (Finland) [fi]
"Monty Pythons flygande cirkus" (Sweden) [sv]
"Monty Pythons flyvende cirkus" (Denmark) [da]
"Os Malucos do Circo" (Portugal) [pt]

Runtime:

30 min (45 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Arabic | French | German | Italian | Mandarin | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | USA:TV-14 | Japan:R | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) | Singapore:M18 | UK:12 (some epiosodes) | UK:15 (1985-1994) | UK:PG | Finland:K-18 (self applied) (DVD) (2007) | Brazil:14 | Argentina:13 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane, Shepherd's Bush, London, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The main logo for the show (as seen in the end credits) is written in the same font as the similarly-named Pussy Galore's Flying Circus from the James Bond film Goldfinger (1964).

Quotes:

Mr Barnard: What do you want?
Man: Well I was told outside that...
Mr Barnard: Don't give me that, you snotty faced heap of parrot droppings!
Man: What?
Mr Barnard: Shut your festering gob, you tit! Your type really makes me puke you vacuous, toffy-nosed, malodorous pervert!
Man: What? I came in here for an argument.
Mr Barnard: Oh, oh oh I'm sorry, this is "abuse'. You want Room 12-A just along the corridor.
Man: Oh sorry. Thank you very much, sorry, thank you.
[Shuts the door]
Man: Stupid git.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Peep Show: (#2.3)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

The Liberty Bell

The First 'Alternative Comedy' Show?

Strange as it may seem now, I used to be frightened by 'Monty Python's Flying Circus'. It had the look and feel of a nightmare; as all sorts of weirdness took over the airwaves, along with terrible sights such as heads lopped off with razors, people puking their guts out, and human brains consumed with spoons. Of course the latter images were Terry Gilliam animations, but even so it was a brave person who stayed up late to watch this show. The sketches were a mixture of the inspired and not-so inspired, many such as 'The Parrot Sketch', 'The Spanish Inquisition' and 'Ministry Of Silly Walks' have passed into legend. After two excellent seasons, plus a couple of fun German specials, 'Python' went into decline, and John Cleese's departure was the final nail in the coffin. Fortunately, the team reunited to make movies which, if anything, were funnier than the show. I must squeeze in a quick mention of Carol Cleveland, with whom I was madly in love in the early '70's!