Monty Python's Witch: A Legendary Comedy Sketch The Monty Python's Witch sketch is one of the most iconic and widely-known comedy sketches in television history. It originated in the television show "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and has since become a staple of British comedy. The sketch begins with a medieval village setting, where a group of townspeople gather to accuse a woman named Mrs. Hargreaves of being a witch. A local magistrate, played by actor Michael Palin, leads the investigation and questions the accused, played by Terry Jones. The interrogation soon reveals the absurdity of the accusations as the townspeople base their claims on ludicrous reasons such as weighing the same as a duck or turning villagers into newts.
King Arthur Now look here, my good man—
Taunting French Guard I don’t want to talk to you anymore, you empty-headed animal food trough whopper. I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!
Sir Gallahad Is there someone else up there we could talk to?
Taunting French Guard No! now go away or I shall taunt you a second time.
Monty Python and Holy Grail is available to rent from iTunes and Amazon Prime, available to buy from YouTube and Google Play, and is available to watch for Netflix and Philo subscribers. Monty Python and Holy Grail is available to rent from iTunes and Amazon Prime, available to buy from YouTube and Google Play, and is available to watch for Netflix and Philo subscribers.
The interrogation soon reveals the absurdity of the accusations as the townspeople base their claims on ludicrous reasons such as weighing the same as a duck or turning villagers into newts. The sketch brilliantly satirizes the irrationality and fear-driven nature of witch trials of the past. As the sketch progresses, Mrs.
HIST 223 Medieval Europe: History Illuminated
Historical artifacts from the Middle Ages. Vivid, colorful, and illuminating the past. Here we analyze objects, artifacts, monuments, relics, and material culture as a response to the numerous myths that circulate 'fake news' about the Middle Ages--from their belief in the flat earth (fake!) to the female lock-n-key chastity belts (fake!). In addition, this site will highlight medieval films in all their attempted history (for better or worse). Let's get medieval.
Film Review: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Comedy is a genre that can be very hit-or-miss. Many times, we see comedies that are bland, needlessly offensive, and often go forgotten fairly quickly. But every blue moon, the comedy gods deliver unto us a timeless gem. A film that transcends generations, cultures, and even galaxies. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Python (Monty) Pictures, 1975) probably won’t be transcending any galaxies any time soon, but it certainly checks all of the other boxes.
This amazing classic from the geniuses in the Monty Python team follows King Arthur and his group of honorable knights of the Round Table: Sir Bedevere, Sir Lancelot the Brave, Sir Gallahad the Pure, and Sir Robin, the Not-quite-so-brave-as-sir-Lancelot, who had nearly fought the Dragon of Angnor, who had nearly stood up to the vicious Chicken of Bristol, and who had personally wet himself at the Battle of Badon Hill. And of course, who could forget the aptly named Sir Not-appearing-in-this-film. King Arthur and his band of honorable knights journey together on a mission from God to find the legendary Holy Grail. Along the way, Arthur and his knights must fend off horrible threats, like the Killer Rabbit, the Knights Who Say “Ni,” and of course, the terrible Frenchmen, who taunt them throughout their perilous journey.
Okay, back to reality. This film is a constant onslaught of comedy, quotable moments, and absolute absurdity. Within the first minute of the film, we’re greeted with a form of deceptive comedy, which tries to convince the viewer they’ve left their closed captions enabled-- but in a foreign language. Quickly thereafter, however, the fake captions begin to break down into a story about a moose, before the film announces “We apologize for the fault in the subtitles. Those responsible have been sacked.” It doesn’t end there, however. As the opening credits continue, the subtitles-- and even the credits themselves --break down even further, eventually resulting in the remainder of the credits needing to be completely redone “at great expense and at the last minute.” At this point, I highly recommend that viewers sensitive to flashing lights look away for a bit, as the remaining credits are accompanied by a red and yellow flashing background.
The humor at the beginning of the film is just a taste of what the film has in store for the next hour and a half. What makes this humor so unique, however, is just how timeless it is. You need not understand anything that was happening in England in the 1970s to understand the comedy of this film, nor do you particularly need any knowledge at all of the middle ages. This is a movie that everyone in the family can enjoy, without any historical context. Er, well, most in the family, as the film does contain some fairly vulgar sections, particularly when following Gallahan.
The film also has quite a few [mostly] accurate references to medieval times, such as the loyalty and honor associated with knighthood, King Arthur’s reverence to God, and a handful of references to plagues and unfair witch hunting. The film also includes many examples of fairly historically accurate armor and weaponry, and even paints a fairly accurate picture of life within castle walls. There are, of course, quite a few absurd themes and images the film presents. For example, the “horses” have been replaced by coconuts, and the Frenchmen are throwing cows over the castle walls to fend off the English. The authors were, however, careful to make these absurdities stand out enough where anyone could reasonably separate the real history from the jokes.
If you haven’t seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail, you absolutely need to watch it some time. I highly recommend gathering some friends and setting aside 2 hours to make it through this movie-- potentially longer. If you don’t pause to laugh at a joke, you’ll miss the next one. Monty Python and Holy Grail is available to rent from iTunes and Amazon Prime, available to buy from YouTube and Google Play, and is available to watch for Netflix and Philo subscribers.
Bridgekeeper: “What… is your name?”
King Arthur: “It is Arthur – King of the Britons.”
Bridgekeeper: “What… is your quest?”
King Arthur: “To seek the Holy Grail.
Bridgekeeper: “What… is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?”
King Arthur: “What do you mean? An African or a European swallow?”
Bridgekeeper: “I don’t know that. Aaaaaaaaagh!”
Hargreaves outwits the townspeople by using logical reasoning to point out the flaws in their arguments. She turns the tables on them and accuses one of the villagers who is equally guilty of the same "witch-like" behaviors they had blamed on her. The sketch reaches its climax when the townspeople decide to test whether Mrs. Hargreaves floats like a witch. The accused woman is thrown into a nearby pond, and much to everyone's surprise and confusion, she actually floats. This further confuses the villagers and adds to the humorous chaos of the situation. The Monty Python's Witch sketch is celebrated for its clever writing, sharp wit, and absurd humor. It is a prime example of Monty Python's unique style of comedy that blurs the line between reality and the ridiculous. The sketch's unexpected turns and the characters' silly arguments make it a fan favorite that continues to be referenced and praised to this day. Monty Python's Witch sketch not only provides comedic entertainment but also offers a critical commentary on the irrationality of mob mentality, superstition, and the dangers of scapegoating. It serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking, questioning societal norms, and not blindly following the crowd. In conclusion, the Monty Python's Witch sketch is a legendary comedy masterpiece that has stood the test of time. Its witty dialogue, intelligent satire, and memorable moments have cemented its place in comedy history. Whether it's challenging the absurdity of witch trials or showcasing the brilliance of the Monty Python comedy troupe, this sketch continues to enchant audiences with its hilarious absurdity..
Reviews for "Monty Python's Witch Skits: Pushing Boundaries or Reinforcing Stereotypes?"
1. Jane - 2/5
I was really excited to watch "Montu Python Witch" as I had heard great things about it, but I was extremely disappointed. The humor was just not my cup of tea, and I found it to be rather dry and boring. The plot was confusing and all over the place, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. The characters were also lacking in depth and development, which made it hard for me to connect with any of them. Overall, "Montu Python Witch" didn't live up to the hype for me, and I wouldn't recommend it to others who prefer more dynamic and engaging comedies.
2. Mark - 1/5
"Montu Python Witch" was a complete waste of time for me. The jokes felt stale and forced, and I didn't find any of them funny. The film seemed like a disjointed mess with no clear direction. The acting was stiff and the characters were forgettable. I just couldn't get into it at all. I know some people love this kind of humor, but it really wasn't for me. I regret watching it and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who doesn't enjoy dry and outlandish comedy.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I really wanted to like "Montu Python Witch" because of its cult following, but it just didn't click with me. The humor felt too outdated and over-the-top. The plot was all over the place, and I struggled to follow what was going on. The pacing was slow, and I found myself checking the time multiple times throughout the movie. I understand that this film has a niche audience, but unfortunately, I wasn't a part of it. I wouldn't recommend "Montu Python Witch" to anyone who doesn't enjoy surreal and absurd humor.