Review of Monty Python`s Flying Circus Set #7

Introduction

The seventh and final double-disc set of Monty Python episodes from A&E, contains episodes 40 to 45 of this classic TV series. These episodes made up the fourth and final season, and are unique in that they do not feature John Cleese, who left at the end of the third season to pursue other projects. He was wary of repetition creeping in, and at times you can see his point. He still gets a writing credit along the way though.

Video

As good as can be expected for a 26 year old TV series that has been converted from PAL to NTSC. It`s a travesty that Python fans have to import NTSC discs to watch their favourite show, but thankfully the quality is good enough. Certainly better than my VHS copies.

Audio

Again, as good as can be expected. A DD2.0 stereo track is available, which is just really the mono recording played back over both channels. It sounds good enough, so no complaints in this department either.

Features

Yes, even though A&E didn`t make the show, they`ve gone and added some extra features to the discs.

They are all very much in the Python style. The first is a Pythonisms glossary (more handy for American viewers who may have missed some cultural references, but still amusing.

There are Gillianimations (excerpts of Terry Gilliam`s fantastic animations), Useless Tidbits (info about each episode on each disc), bios for the cast, and classic clips from other episodes.

There`s also a mini trivia quiz, featuring more clips from the show.

Conclusion

A chance to own a piece of one of the greatest comedy shows ever, looking and sounding as good as it ever will. Python fans should not pass up this chance because DVD will probably be obsolete by the time the series gets released over here.

The fourth season is by no means the best, but there are still some wonderful classic moments here - A Doctor whose patients are stabbed by his nurse, Icelandic Honey week, Mrs Non-Robinson, The Golden Age of Ballooning, Michael Ellis, and many more.

Something was definitely lost with the departure of Cleese, and it`s probably Graham Chapman who suffers most as they were regular writing partners, but this is still an excellent slice of TV comedy.