Life of Python
| Life of Python | |
|---|---|
 VHS cover art | |
| Starring | John Cleese Terry Gilliam Eric Idle Terry Jones Michael Palin |
| Country of origin | United States United Kingdom |
| Production | |
| Running time | 56 minutes (US version) 55 minutes (UK version) |
| Original release | |
| Network | Showtime (US) BBC 1 (UK) |
| Release | 16 March 1990 (US) 5 October 1990 (UK) |
Life of Python is the name of two documentaries, both intended to mark the 20th anniversary of the Monty Python team, but broadcast the following year after the death of team member Graham Chapman on 4 October 1989. The first version was broadcast in the US on the Showtime network on 16 March 1990,[1] with the UK version finally airing on the team’s 21st anniversary on 5 October 1990,[2] as part of the BBC’s Omnibus documentary series.
The documentaries cover many aspects of Python history. The pre-Flying Circus shows are covered, including The Frost Report, At Last The 1948 Show, Do Not Adjust Your Set and The Complete and Utter History of Britain. Other topics include the naming of the show, the dynamics of the writing sessions, the animations, attitudes to women, censorship and the team's surprise at their success in America.
There are many differences between the two documentaries. The US version opens with the Pythons (minus Chapman) meeting up in school uniform, in preparation for the filming of a new sketch for Parrot Sketch Not Included, which was ultimately cut from broadcast. The UK version omits this and instead opens with footage of Graham Chapman’s memorial service in December 1989, including John Cleese’s memorably irreverent eulogy, and closes the documentary with Eric Idle leading the congregation with a singalong of "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life". The UK version is introduced and narrated by comedy producer John Lloyd, who had recently compiled the sketches for the Parrot Sketch Not Included special. The interviews with the five contributing Pythons are mostly different in both versions, with only the occasional overlap. Much of the differing content and choice of interviewees in the two versions is geared toward their respective US and UK audiences.
The US version of the documentary was released by Palace Video in the UK on VHS in 1991.
Cast
- John Cleese
- Terry Gilliam
- Eric Idle
- Terry Jones
- Michael Palin
- Dan Aykroyd
- Dudley Moore (US version only)
- Steve Martin
- Chevy Chase (US version only)
- Barry Took
- Carol Cleveland
- Jane Curtin (US version only)
- John Lloyd (UK version only)
- Ben Elton (UK version only)
- Stephen Fry (UK version only)
References
- ^ McCall, Douglas (2013-11-12). Monty Python: A Chronology, 1969-2012, 2d ed. McFarland. ISBN 9780786478118.
- ^ http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/1990-10-05