John Cleese discussed the 50th anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The 1975 film, co-written by Cleese and directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, remains a landmark in comedy. It follows King Arthur (Graham Chapman) and his knights on a absurd quest for the Holy Grail, blending satire with the troupe’s signature sketch-style humor.
Cleese recalled the film’s chaotic production, including late-night editing disputes and skepticism from BBC executives about their earlier work. “There was the usual Python chaos,” he said, laughing. “One would re-edit while the other slept. When it became a hit, we were thrilled-it was the last thing we expected”.
When asked if Holy Grail could be made today, Cleese dismissed predictable “anti-woke” arguments. Instead, he highlighted shifting cultural norms:
“That’s a very good question. You see, the guy who [originally] told us to make 13 programs, I don’t think he would have given a f**. But what’s so funny now is I can say ‘f***.’ If I said ‘f***’ 40 years ago, the traffic stopped. So you always have this strange thing. There are certain things that mustn’t be said, and many young people say to people of my age, ‘Oh, you can’t say that.’ I want to say, ‘Well, I’ve been speaking English quite fluently for 80 years, and I don’t think someone of your age should be telling me what I could say.’”*9
He also critiqued modern audiences’ literal-mindedness:
“There are literal-minded people here-particularly in the Midwest, where irony can be hard to find-who don’t get metaphor, simile, or comic exaggeration. The meaning they take from statements is incredibly narrow.”
Cleese emphasized comedy’s therapeutic value, citing fan interactions:
“People come up to me saying, ‘Thank you for helping me through difficult periods.’ When you laugh, you move your center of gravity to a place that copes better with life’s problems. That’s something nobody seems to realize now.”
He is currently compiling archival footage for Life of Cleese, a TV special reflecting on his career and comedy’s declining prominence.
The film, recently re-released in theaters for its anniversary, continues to influence comedians worldwide. Cleese noted its enduring appeal: “It’s remarkable. BBC polls still rank Python among the top comedies-Life of Brian at No. 6, Grail at No. 15. That fills me with pride.”
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English (US) · 