List of Monty Python projects

Last updated

The Monty Python comedy troupe branched off into a variety of different media after the success of their sketch comedy television series, Monty Python's Flying Circus .

Contents

Television

Films

Books

The following official Monty Python books authored by the team members have been published, mostly in large format:

Records

Monty Python discography
Studio albums4
Live albums3
Compilation albums4
Video albums3
Singles13
Soundtrack albums3
Box sets7

Albums

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
UK
[1]
AUS
[2]
NZ
[3]
US
[4]
Another Monty Python Record 26
Monty Python's Previous Record
  • Released: 8 December 1972
  • Label: Charisma
  • Formats: LP, MC
39
The Monty Python Matching Tie and Handkerchief
  • Released: 7 December 1973
  • Label: Charisma
  • Formats: LP, MC, 8-track
498248
Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album
  • Released: 6 October 1980
  • Label: Charisma
  • Formats: LP, MC
13323164
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Live albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
UK
[1]
US
[4]
Monty Python's Flying Circus
  • Released: 6 November 1970
  • Label: BBC
  • Formats: LP, MC, 8-track
83 [upper-alpha 1]
Monty Python Live at Drury Lane
  • Released: 28 June 1974
  • Label: Charisma
  • Formats: LP, MC, 8-track
19
Monty Python Live at City Center
  • Released: 3 May 1976
  • Label: Arista
  • Formats: LP, MC, 8-track
  • US-only release
186
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Soundtrack albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
UK
[1]
AUS
[2]
NZ
[3]
US
[4]
The Album of the Soundtrack of the Trailer of the Film of Monty Python and the Holy Grail
  • Released: 18 July 1975
  • Label: Charisma
  • Formats: LP, MC, 8-track
4587
Monty Python's Life of Brian 6311155
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
  • Released: 5 April 1983
  • Label: MCA, CBS
  • Formats: LP, MC
4645
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
UK
[1]
AUT
[5]
GER
[6]
SWI
[7]
The Monty Python Instant Record Collection
  • Released: 2 December 1977
  • Label: Charisma
  • Formats: LP, MC
The Final Rip Off
  • Released: 30 November 1987
  • Label: Virgin
  • Formats: 2xCD, 2xLP, 2xMC
Monty Python Sings
  • Released: 11 December 1989
  • Label: Virgin
  • Formats: CD, LP, MC
35 [upper-alpha 2] 19 [upper-alpha 3] 21 [upper-alpha 3] 33 [upper-alpha 3]
The Ultimate Monty Python Rip Off
  • Released: 3 October 1994
  • Label: Virgin
  • Formats: CD
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Box sets

TitleAlbum details
All of the Worst of Monty Python
  • Released: 1980
  • Label: Charisma
  • Formats: 7xLP
  • Australasia-only release
The Instant Monty Python CD Collection
  • Released: 3 October 1994
  • Label: Virgin
  • Formats: 6xCD
At the Movies
  • Released: 2000
  • Label: Disky
  • Formats: 3xCD
Another Monty Python Box
  • Released: April 2002
  • Label: Disky
  • Formats: 3xCD
The Pythons Autobiography by The Pythons – The Interviews That Made The Book
Monty Python’s Total Rubbish – The Complete Collection
  • Released: 30 June 2014
  • Label: Virgin
  • Formats: 9xCD+7", 9xLP+7"
Live (Mostly) – One Down Five to Go

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
UK
[1]
AUS
[2] [8]
AUT
[9]
BEL (FLA)
[10]
GER
[6]
IRE
[11]
NL
[12]
NOR
[13]
SWI
[14]
"Spam Song"1972Another Monty Python Record
"Eric the Half a Bee"Monty Python's Previous Record
"Teach Yourself Heath" (flexi disc release)Non-album single
Monty Python's Tiny Black Round Thing (flexi disc release)1974Monty Python Live at Drury Lane
"The Single" (US-only release)1975Non-album singles
"Lumberjack Song"52 [upper-alpha 4]
Python on Song 197653 [upper-alpha 4]
"Brian" / "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" [upper-alpha 5] 1979
9

30

34
Monty Python's Life of Brian
"I Like Chinese"198032Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album
"Galaxy Song"198377Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" (reissue)199131192353153Monty Python Sings
"I Like Chinese" (Germany-only reissue)199267
"Galaxy Song" (with Stephen Hawking)2015Non-album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Documentaries

Stage productions

Computer and video games

Other collaborations outside Monty Python

In addition to their work as a group, the six members have collaborated with each other on numerous other film and television projects outside Monty Python.

YearTitleDirector(s) Graham Chapman John Cleese Terry Gilliam Eric Idle Terry Jones Michael Palin
1969 The Magic Christian Joseph McGrath YesYes
1970 The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer Kevin Billington YesYes
1971 The Statue Rod Amateau YesYes
1977 Jabberwocky Terry GilliamYesYesYes
1978 All You Need Is Cash Eric Idle
Gary Weis
YesYes
1981 Time Bandits Terry GilliamYesYesYes
1983 The Crimson Permanent Assurance Terry GilliamYesYesYesYesYes
1983 Yellowbeard Mel Damski YesYesYes
1985 Brazil Terry GilliamYesYes
1988 A Fish Called Wanda Charles Crichton YesYes
1988 The Adventures of Baron Munchausen Terry GilliamYesYes
1989 Erik the Viking Terry JonesYesYes
1993 Splitting Heirs Robert Young YesYes
1996 The Wind in the Willows Terry JonesYesYesYesYes
1997 Fierce Creatures Robert Young
Fred Schepisi
YesYes
2002 Pinocchio Roberto Benigni YesYes
2003 Concert for George David Leland YesYesYesYes
2006 Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him)? John ScheinfeldYesYes
2006 Locked Out Albert Dupontel YesYes
2007 Shrek the Third Chris Miller YesYes
2011 George Harrison: Living in the Material World Martin Scorsese YesYes
2012 A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman Bill Jones
Jeff Simpson
Ben Timlett
YesYesYesYesYes
2015 Absolutely Anything Terry JonesYesYesYesYesYes

Notes

  1. Peak position upon re-release in 1975
  2. Monty Python Sings did not originally chart in 1989. Upon reissue in 1992, it peaked at number 62 on the UK Albums Chart, and in 2014, an expanded release entitled Monty Python Sings (Again) peaked at number 35.
  3. 1 2 3 Chart peak upon re-release in 1991.
  4. 1 2 Chart position is from the official UK "Breakers List".
  5. Although released as a double A-sided single in the UK, elsewhere "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" was released as the A-side with "Brian" the B-side.

Related Research Articles

<i>Monty Pythons Life of Brian</i> 1979 film by Terry Jones

Monty Python's Life of Brian is a 1979 British comedy film starring and written by the comedy group Monty Python. It was directed by Jones. The film tells the story of Brian Cohen, a young Jewish-Roman man who is born on the same day as—and next door to—Jesus, and is subsequently mistaken for the Messiah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monty Python</span> British surreal comedy group

Monty Python were a British comedy troupe formed in 1969 consisting of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. The group came to prominence for the sketch comedy series Monty Python's Flying Circus, which aired on the BBC from 1969 to 1974. Their work then developed into a larger collection that included live shows, films, albums, books, and musicals; their influence on comedy has been compared to the Beatles' influence on music. Their sketch show has been called "an important moment in the evolution of television comedy".

<i>Monty Python and the Holy Grail</i> 1975 British comedy film

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a 1975 British comedy film satirizing the Arthurian legend, written and performed by the Monty Python comedy group and directed by Gilliam and Jones in their feature directorial debuts. It was conceived during the hiatus between the third and fourth series of their BBC Television series Monty Python's Flying Circus.

<i>Monty Pythons The Meaning of Life</i> 1983 film by British comedy group Monty Python

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, also known simply as The Meaning of Life, is a 1983 British musical sketch comedy film written and performed by the Monty Python troupe, directed by Terry Jones. The Meaning of Life was the last feature film to star all six Python members before the death of Graham Chapman in 1989.

<i>Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl</i> 1982 British film

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl is a 1982 concert comedy film directed by Terry Hughes and starring the Monty Python comedy troupe as they perform many of their sketches at the Hollywood Bowl. The film also features Carol Cleveland in numerous supporting roles and Neil Innes performing songs. Also present for the shows and participating as an 'extra' was Python superfan Kim "Howard" Johnson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Always Look on the Bright Side of Life</span> 1979 song from Monty Pythons Life of Brian

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is a comedy song written by Monty Python member Eric Idle that was first featured in the Python film Life of Brian and has gone on to become a common singalong at public events such as football matches as well as funerals.

<i>Monty Pythons Fliegender Zirkus</i>  TV series or program

Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus are a pair of 45-minute Monty Python German television comedy specials produced by WDR for West German television. The two episodes were respectively first broadcast in January and December 1972 and were shot entirely on film and mostly on location in Bavaria, with the first episode recorded in German and the second recorded in English and then dubbed into German.

<i>The Instant Monty Python CD Collection</i> 1994 box set by Monty Python

The Instant Monty Python CD Collection is a box set released in 1994 of six CDs containing eight albums by the Monty Python troupe. It does not include the first Monty Python record, Monty Python's Flying Circus, whose rights are still owned by the BBC.

<i>Monty Pythons Personal Best</i> British TV series or program

Monty Python's Personal Best is a miniseries of six one-hour specials, each showcasing the contributions of a particular Monty Python member. Produced by Python (Monty) Pictures Ltd., the series first aired on PBS stations between 22 February and 8 March 2006, although the Eric Idle and Michael Palin episodes were initially released by A&E on two Region 1 DVDs in 2005; the remaining episodes were released in late February 2006.

Edward Ian MacNaughton was a Scottish actor, television producer and director, best known for his work with the Monty Python team.

"Colin 'Bomber' Harris vs Colin 'Bomber' Harris" is a Monty Python comedy sketch in which wrestler Colin Harris fights himself, Colin Harris. As Colin fights himself, a commentator hastily reports the events.

<i>Parrot Sketch Not Included – 20 Years of Monty Python</i> 1989 Monty Python tribute special

Parrot Sketch Not Included – 20 Years of Monty Python is a British television special dedicated to Monty Python, created to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the debut of the comedy group's television series, Monty Python's Flying Circus. Produced by Tiger Aspect Productions for the BBC, it was compiled by renowned British comedy producer John Lloyd and aired on BBC 1 on 18 November 1989.

<i>Monty Pythons Flying Circus</i> British sketch comedy television series (1969–1974)

Monty Python's Flying Circus is a British surreal sketch comedy series created by and starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam, who became known collectively as "Monty Python", or the "Pythons". The first episode was recorded at the BBC on 7 September 1969 and premiered on 5 October on BBC1, with 45 episodes airing over four series from 1969 to 1974, plus two episodes for German TV. A feature film adaptation of several sketches, And Now for Something Completely Different, was released in 1971.

<i>Monty Python: Almost the Truth</i> (Lawyers Cut) British TV series or programme

Monty Python: Almost the Truth is a 2009 television documentary series in six parts that covers 40 years of the surreal comedy group Monty Python, from Flying Circus to present day projects such as the musical Spamalot. The series highlights their childhood, schooling and university life, and pre-Python work. The series featured new interviews with surviving members John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin, alongside archive interview footage of Graham Chapman and interviews with several associates of the Pythons, including Carol Cleveland, Neil Innes and Chapman's partner David Sherlock, along with commentary from modern comedians.

<i>Monty Python Live (Mostly)</i> 2014 film by Eric Idle

Monty Python Live (Mostly) (also billed as Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five to Go) was a variety show by the Monty Python comedy group at The O2 in London in July 2014. Planned as a single performance for 1 July, it was expanded to 10 shows due to the high demand for tickets. It was their first live performance together in 16 years, the second without member Graham Chapman (who died in 1989) and the last with Terry Jones (who died in 2020).

<i>Monty Pythons Total Rubbish</i> 2014 box set by Monty Python

Monty Python's Total Rubbish is a 2014 boxed set collecting remastered editions of the nine original albums of British comedy troupe Monty Python on nine CDs or ten LPs. It was released on 30 June 2014.

<i>The Pythons</i> (film) BBC documentary film about the Monty Python team

The Pythons is a BBC documentary film about the Monty Python team which was shot in Tunisia in 1978 during the making of Monty Python's Life of Brian. As well as promoting their upcoming film, the documentary also serves as a tenth anniversary profile of the team, despite the original broadcast date of 20 June 1979 being some months ahead of both the tenth anniversary of their TV debut and the UK release of their new film.

<i>A Pocketful of Python</i>

A Pocketful of Python is a series of five books by the Monty Python team, in which each of the surviving members selects their favourite material from the group’s TV series, films, records and books. The first two volumes, by Terry Jones and John Cleese, were released in 1999 as part of the team’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Two further volumes, by Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin, followed in 2000 while the final volume, by Eric Idle, was eventually released in 2002. Each team member’s volume includes a preface written by one of the other Pythons. In 2006 all five volumes were released as a single paperback edition, entitled The Very Best of Monty Python.

<i>The Pythons Autobiography by The Pythons</i> Official autobiography of the Monty Python team

The Pythons Autobiography by The Pythons is the official autobiography of the Monty Python team, released in 2003. It covers the whole of Python history, from their childhoods all the way through to the 30th anniversary celebrations in 1999.

References

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Further reading