''Life of Python'' is the name of two documentaries, both intended to mark 20 years of the

Monty Python Monty Python (also collectively known as the Pythons) were a British comedy troupe who created the sketch comedy television show '' Monty Python's Flying Circus'', which first aired on the BBC in 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four ...

team in 1989, but broadcast the following year after the death of team member Graham Chapman on 4 October - the eve of the 20th anniversary.

Synopsis

The documentaries take in 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.

Cast

John Cleese John Marwood Cleese ( ; born 27 October 1939) is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. Emerging from the Cambridge Footlights in the 1960s, he first achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and ...

* Terry Gilliam *

Eric Idle Eric Idle (born 29 March 1943) is an English actor, comedian, musician and writer. Idle was a member of the British surreal comedy group Monty Python and the parody rock band The Rutles, and is the writer of the music and lyrics for the Broadwa ...

* Terry Jones * Michael Palin *

Dan Aykroyd Daniel Edward Aykroyd ( ; born July 1, 1952) is a Canadian actor, comedian, producer, musician and writer. He was an original member of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" on ''Saturday Night Live'' (1975–1979). During his tenure on ''SNL'' ...

* Dudley Moore (US version only) * Steve Martin * Chevy Chase (US version only) * Barry Took * Carol Cleveland * Jane Curtin (US version only) *

John Lloyd John Lloyd may refer to: Artists, writers, and entertainers *John J. Lloyd (1922–2014), American art director and production designer *John Lloyd (graphic designer) (born 1944), co-founder of design consultancy Lloyd Northover *John Lloyd (journa ...

(UK version only) * Ben Elton (UK version only) * Stephen Fry (UK version only)

Background and production

''Life of Python'' was produced by Tiger Television in collaboration with Devillier-Donegan Enterprises.

US Version

*Mike Fox, Graham Smith, Carl Teitelbaum - Cameras *Fraser Barber, Michael Lax - Sound *Marnie Jung - Production Assistant *

Sue Vertue Susan Nicola Vertue (born 21 September 1960) is an English television producer, mainly of comedy shows, including ''Mr. Bean'' and ''Coupling''. She is the daughter of producer Beryl Vertue. Vertue worked for Tiger Aspect, a production company ...

- Production Manager *Ron Blythe - Editor *Charles Brand - Executive Producer *Michelle De Larrabeiti - Co-producer *

Mark Redhead Mark Redhead is a British producer, director, and occasional actor. He was the producer of ''Bloody Sunday'' and an executive producer of God on Trial. He has been nominated for several awards and won a BAFTA TV Award in 2000 for '' The Murder of ...

- Producer/Director

UK Version

*Roger Chapman, Lawrence Gardner, Max Harrison, Phil Milliard, Carl Teitelbaum - Camera Assistants *Marnie Jung - Production Assistant *Sue Vertue - Production Manager *Jason Hunt, Terry Hunt, Jim McBride - Electricians *Fraser Barber, Michael Lax, David Welch - Sound *Colin Martin - Dubbing Mixer *Bill Ogden - VT Editor *Mike Fox, Graham Smith, Paul Sommers - Cameramen *Roya Salari - Assistant Editor *Richard Monks - Dubbing Editor *Martyn Hone - Film Editor *Michelle De Larrabeiti - Associate Producer *Charles Brand - Executive Producer *Mark Redhead - Director *Mark Chapman - Producer/Director

Differences between versions

There are many differences between the two documentaries. The US version opens with footage of the Pythons (minus Chapman) meeting up at Twickenham Studios in September 1989 dressed 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

's memorably irreverent eulogy, and closes the documentary with

leading the congregation with a singalong of "

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life "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 matc ...

". The UK version is introduced and narrated by comedy producer

, 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.

Release

Broadcast

The US version was broadcast on the

Showtime Showtime or Show Time may refer to: Film * ''Showtime'' (film), a 2002 American action/comedy film * ''Showtime'' (video), a 1995 live concert video by Blur Television Networks and channels * Showtime Networks, a division of Paramount Global w ...

network on 16 March 1990, with the UK version airing on the team's 21st anniversary on 5 October 1990, as part of the BBC's ''

Omnibus Omnibus may refer to: Film and television * ''Omnibus'' (film) * Omnibus (broadcast), a compilation of Radio or TV episodes * ''Omnibus'' (UK TV series), an arts-based documentary programme * ''Omnibus'' (U.S. TV series), an educational progr ...

'' documentary series.

Home media

The US version of the documentary was released on VHS in the UK by Palace Video in 1991.

References

{{Monty Python 1990 documentary films 1990 television films 1990 films British documentary films Monty Python films 1990s English-language films 1990s British films