Monty Python and the Holy Grail Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" boasts an MPEG-4 AVC encoding with a 1080p resolution and an aspect ratio of 1.66:1. This presentation mirrors the high-quality 2012 transfer and successfully preserves the film's visual integrity. The clarity is commendable, considering the film's historical context and low-budget origins. While the color palette remains muted, which aligns with the comedic tone and production constraints, the transfer excels in detail and precision. Depth portrayal is adequate, especially in scenes with simple sets and character-driven dialogue.

Black levels are executed commendably, accommodating the movie's age and original quality. Despite the overall subdued color scheme, vibrant moments spring to life effectively, lending an additional layer of visual engagement. Facial textures and tones are appropriately rendered, maintaining accuracy and consistency. The presentation is free from noise and artifacts beyond the inherent filmic grain, showcasing a well-executed transfer that honors the original material with no discernible errors.

The audio presentation of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" on Blu-ray features a notable English 5.1 DTS-HD MA track, along with English Original Mono DTS-HD MA, French and Japanese 5.1 Dolby Digital, and Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital options. Subtitles are available in English, English SDH, Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai. Matching the 2012 release, the lossless soundtrack delivers a faithful representation of the film's eccentricity. The dynamic range is particularly impressive, with audio cues and music interludes rendered cleanly and distinctly throughout the mix.

The Low Frequency Extension (LFE) is used effectively during key musical cues, providing a robust and immersive audio experience during pivotal scenes. Despite being primarily dialogue-focused, the surround sound presentation excels by maintaining an excellent balance. Special moments such as the Holy Hand Grenade explosion showcase the surround channels' capabilities, while conversations remain clear and precisely localized across the soundstage.

Dialogue reproduction is exceptionally handled, ensuring that all characters are heard prominently without distortion or muddling. This meticulous attention to balance allows both subtle interactions and grandiose comedic set-pieces to shine through with clarity. Overall, the Blu-ray's audio presentation is a testament to both the technical prowess and the enduring charm of this beloved classic.

The Blu-Ray extras for "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" are a delightful trove that aficionados and newcomers alike will appreciate. The comprehensive collection includes insightful commentaries, engaging documentaries, and whimsical interactive elements. Highlights include the newly added 2015 Tribeca Film Festival Q&A featuring Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Mike Palin, John Cleese, and Eric Idle, which shines with classic Python humor. Returning features maintain their charm, such as the outtakes and extended scenes and the entertaining lost animations. The physical box set edition ups the novelty factor with a castle-shaped packaging that features a catapult and rubber farm animals for an added interactive component. The absence of previously included materials like The Holy Book of Days Second Screen app might be felt by some fans, but the meticulous curation of included content ensures longevity in its appeal.

Extras included in this disc:

• All-New 30-Minute “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” Q&A: Recorded live at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival.
• Outtakes and Extended Scenes: With an introduction by Terry Jones.
• Lost Animations: With an introduction by Terry Jones.
• Scintillating Commentary by Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones: Another commentary by John Cleese, Eric Idle, and Michael Palin.
• Quest for the Holy Grail Locations with Michael Palin & Terry Jones: A documentary on locations.
• Lego Knights: The Knights of the Round Table in LEGO.
• Special Japanese Version: An alternative cut.
• How to Use Your Coconuts: An educational short film.
• BBC Film Night on Location: Behind-the-scenes footage.
• Three Songs to Sing-Along: Interactive feature with lyrics.
• Photo Gallery: A collection of on-set images.
• Previews: Trailers and promotional content.

Sony's re-release of 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' coincides with the film's 40th anniversary, presenting a technical consistency with the 2012 Blu-ray version. This edition includes the same set of supplements with notable modifications in additions and subtractions.

The narrative, as implied by its title, revolves around King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table on a quest for the Holy Grail. Graham Chapman leads as King Arthur, supported by his iconic troupe including John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin, who assume multiple roles throughout the film. The plot is merely a vessel for a series of hysterical misadventures. The distinguishing charm lies in its blend of sharp intelligence and absurd humor. Famous quotes and scenes that have permeated popular culture are recognized and appreciated in full context through this film.

Directed by Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam, the production, while hindered by limited funds, benefits from remarkable creativity. The film's ostensibly low-budget look serves to amplify its humor, exemplified by clever gags like the use of coconuts to mimic galloping horses. 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' has cemented its status as one of the greatest comedies through not just its humorous content but its genuine wit and timeless appeal. This release is an opportunity for both newcomers and long-time fans to experience or reconnect with this comedy classic at a high level of quality.

The Blu-ray release of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" presents the classic comedy with a high-quality audio and visual experience that fans will appreciate. Visually, the presentation offers a notable enhancement over previous releases, with clear improvements in clarity and color reproduction, making the medieval hijinks more vivid and enjoyable. The audio quality is equally impressive, providing a crisp and immersive experience that complements the film’s iconic soundtrack and memorable dialogue.

However, this Blu-ray edition is not without its shortcomings. Some may find the packaging to be less meaningful, adding little to warrant its premium price, particularly when compared to the standalone release. Despite that, the addition of a new thirty-minute reunion Q&A session stands out as a highlight, offering insightful and entertaining reflections from the cast that will likely delight longtime fans.

In conclusion, for die-hard fans only. The new thirty-minute reunion Q&A session is fun and a supplement longtime Python fans will likely enjoy on several occasions over the years. The packaging fluff doesn't add much, particularly at a premium that, at time of publication, is about 3x greater than the standalone release. Hardcore collectors might just squeeze out barely enough value here, but casual fans are encouraged to pick up the older release or the new standalone instead.