MovieChat Forums > Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) Discussion > One bit that absolutely does NOT work.

One bit that absolutely does NOT work.

posted 13 years ago by UneOmeletteFromage
49 replies | jump to latest

"Make sure the prince doesn't leave the room."

I've always hated that scene. It's a dud within an otherwise really funny movie. I mean, the joke lasts like five minutes, even though it ceased to be funny after about 15 seconds. They just overcook it to death!

Tu stultus es.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] snelling 10 years ago

"One rabbit stew coming right up!"

"I will not go down in history as the greatest mass-murderer since Adolf Hitler!" - Merkin Muffley

[–] darryl-tahirali 10 years ago

It's a dud within an otherwise really funny movie. - Stacked_All_Cattywompus

Recently I saw Spamalot, the stage musical based on Holy Grail and other parts of the Python catalog. (This was a local repertory company version and not a big-name version.) The "make sure 'ee dusn't leave" scene is in the musical, and it was the flattest scene in what was a very lively and well-received performance. So, it doesn't work on film and it doesn't work on stage, either.

I mean, the joke lasts like five minutes, even though it ceased to be funny after about 15 seconds. They just overcook it to death!

Unfortunately, that seemed to inspire Mike Myers, who loves to drive a joke into the ground in every film of his I've seen.
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"We hear very little, and we understand even less." - Refugee in Casablanca

[–] SampanMassacre 10 years ago

the Pythons do these kinda scenes to torture the audience. it's intentional.

[–] Drooch 10 years ago

Yep, it's consciously overcooked for such a pointless moment, while the delivery of the actors keeps it funny.

[–] Druff 10 years ago

It's not my favorite scene in the movie, but it works for me. My favorite bit is when the prince "sneakily" writes the note and shoots it out the window, they keep cutting back and forth between him and the two guards obliviously smiling at him... Keep a close eye on Graham Chapman's face. I promise you, you will laugh.

[–] hdgunners 10 years ago

worked me though really funny not dragged at all.

[–] lubin-freddy 10 years ago

For me the scene is perfect.

The Pythons were always great at taking their skit to the limit, and then to 11.

Don't lend your hand to raise no flag atop no ship of fools.

[–] valis1984 10 years ago

It absolutely DOES work.

"Everyone is ignorant, only on different subjects". Will Rogers (1879-1935)

[–] ActionScaleHero 9 years ago

The hiccuping is the only part that doesn't work.

I'm straight up lovable, son.