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Draft:Monty Python and the Holy Grail in popular culture

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Monty Python and the Holy Grail was released in 1975 and is a British comedy satire film of the Arthurian legend. It was written by the Monty Python comedy group, consisting of comedians Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. Since its release, Monty Python and the Holy Grail has garnered both criticism and praise, inspired a musical adaption and gained a cult following.

Arts

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Filmmaking history

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The film was distributed by EMI Films but, according to a tweet by Eric Idle in 2021, it was financed by a number of famous musicians and music labels. Idle explained contributions (at the time) as follows: £31,500 by Led Zeppelin, £21,000 by Pink Floyd Music, £63,000 from Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson, £78,750 by film producer Michael White, £21,000 from Island Records, £5,250 from Charisma Records, £5,250 from Time Rice's cricket team Heartaches, and Chrysalis Records gave £6,300. [1] Terry Gilliam said, in a 2002 Guardian interview, that there was no studio interference because they were given no money, going on to say "this was at the time income tax was running as high as 90%, so we turned to rock stars for finance." [2] [3]

Impact on television and filmmaking

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In a 2015 article for The Atlantic, David Sims argues that Monty Python and the Holy Grail (as well as Monty Python in general) has had a significant impact on sketch comedy, particularly for its use of breaking the fourth wall. Sims writes that Saturday Night Live aired a year after the Holy Grail was released, and cites Matt Groening recognising it was a great influence on The Simpsons. [4] Groening also stated that his adult animated sitcom Disenchantment, set in a fictitious medieval fantasy kingdom first released in 2018, was heavily influenced by Monty Python and the Holy Grail. [5]

References

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  1. ^ Grow, Kory (2021-03-09). "How Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Jethro Tull Helped Make 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  2. ^ Traverspublished, Paul (2024-02-10). ""Nobody wanted Life Of Brian except George Harrison": how Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and an ex-Beatle bankrolled two of the greatest comedy films ever made". louder. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  3. ^ O'Neill, Phelim (2002-03-09). "Snake Charmer". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  4. ^ Sims, David (2015-04-09). "How 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' Influenced Film By Satirizing It". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  5. ^ Graham, Chris (2018-07-30). "Matt Groening says Monty Python influenced new show Disenchantment". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-09-15.