Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) reviews
Review by on 23 Sep 2010
Being a relatively new fan of the comedy team that is Monty Python, it was interesting to see the background of the group, how they came together and what impact their work had on the country when it first went public. This gripping documentary is the perfect opportunity to follow the Python timeline from as far back as when the members were children and going right up to where they are now; showing how Python has shaped the world of comedy. This is the best insight that any fan of cross dressing lumberjacks could have, crammed full with interesting facts and stories that few know; would you believe that ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ could have been called ‘Nobody’s Ever Named A Show After Cornflakes’?
With archive footage, home movies, photos, interviews and sketches, the duration of the film never feels tiring and always intrigues. We get to see who influenced the comedy geniuses and learn of their relationship with the BBC; there’s also ‘behind the scenes’ footage of THE HOLY GRAIL. This film also pays tribute to the late and great Graham Chapman with interviews and archive material.
This film proves that the Python legacy is here to stay and that the fan base will continue to grow. The showing was ended with a great Q&A session with Terry Jones; which was equally as insightful. Did you know that he doesn’t like Spam? And now for something completely different...
Turner Hodsoll
With archive footage, home movies, photos, interviews and sketches, the duration of the film never feels tiring and always intrigues. We get to see who influenced the comedy geniuses and learn of their relationship with the BBC; there’s also ‘behind the scenes’ footage of THE HOLY GRAIL. This film also pays tribute to the late and great Graham Chapman with interviews and archive material.
This film proves that the Python legacy is here to stay and that the fan base will continue to grow. The showing was ended with a great Q&A session with Terry Jones; which was equally as insightful. Did you know that he doesn’t like Spam? And now for something completely different...
Turner Hodsoll
Review by on 20 Sep 2010
ALMOST THE TRUTH sets out its clear intentions within minutes of its opening. A parody of Shirley Bassey’s song Goldfinger in which the Pythons are lyrically mocked indicates to the viewer that this is going to be a documentary about Monty Python, in the style of the humour that made them famous. The film – a condensed version of a 6-hour documentary – sets out to remind the viewer of the incredible wealth of hilarious Python material, in a homage to the 6 men who started it all.
The documentary itself is a compilation of interviews with the 5 surviving members of Monty Python, including archive footage of previous interviews, clips from sketches and films, stories and anecdotes and touching recollections of the late Graham Chapman. The only criticism of ALMOST THE TRUTH is due to its condensed nature. In parts, the film feels as though it skips over details that could be far more thoroughly and rigorously explored. However, this is the sacrifice that had to be made in order to obtain a cinema-friendly documentary, and whilst it is definitely a relevant criticism, it does not detract from a brilliant and highly amusing film.
In addition to the film, the presence of directors Bill Jones, Ben Timlett and original Python Terry Jones only served to make the experience more enjoyable and heartfelt, the Q&A session afterwards giving the whole experience a rounded and complete feel.
Daniel Harling
The documentary itself is a compilation of interviews with the 5 surviving members of Monty Python, including archive footage of previous interviews, clips from sketches and films, stories and anecdotes and touching recollections of the late Graham Chapman. The only criticism of ALMOST THE TRUTH is due to its condensed nature. In parts, the film feels as though it skips over details that could be far more thoroughly and rigorously explored. However, this is the sacrifice that had to be made in order to obtain a cinema-friendly documentary, and whilst it is definitely a relevant criticism, it does not detract from a brilliant and highly amusing film.
In addition to the film, the presence of directors Bill Jones, Ben Timlett and original Python Terry Jones only served to make the experience more enjoyable and heartfelt, the Q&A session afterwards giving the whole experience a rounded and complete feel.
Daniel Harling
Film details
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
DOCUMENTARIES
Director: Bill Jones
Director: Alan G. Parker
Director: Ben Timlett
Director: Alan G. Parker
Director: Ben Timlett
United Kingdom, 2009.
100 mins. English
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