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

One bit that absolutely does NOT work.


"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.

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It works for me, but I can see why you think it doesn't. There are a couple of moments during the bit where you think it HAS to end, they have taken it as far as they can. But they keep on and push through several logical stopping points, toying with the expectations of the viewer accustomed to more standard comedy fare. In the end they take it to such lengths that they have somehow come full circle from funny to annoying and back to funny.



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I agree, the scene is one of the weakest...

Hey, go easy.. I do actually suffer with Dyslexia.

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“But they keep on and push through several logical stopping points, toying with the expectations of the viewer accustomed to more standard comedy fare. In the end they take it to such lengths that they have somehow come full circle from funny to annoying and back to funny.”

Dead on.

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No, I think it's better overcooked.

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I think they could cut a few minutes out of it to make it better.

And what was the hiccuping about? THAT bit didn't work!

JLT
http://mythicalmicrocosms.blogspot.com/

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Well, it's all subjective, but personally it's one of my favourite scenes in the film.

I think it's timed perfectly.

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That whole bit felt very John Cleese-ish to me. I thought it was very funny and perfectly played by the cast.

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I always thought that scene was hilarious, but it wasn't "Pythonesque". It was like an Abbott and Costello or Three Stooges bit. And I love it!

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I enjoyed that scene very much.

"These go to eleven."

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I think it does work. But I tend to not enjoy it as much on repeated viewings.

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I thought it was a great bit, and I used to do variations of it with a friend.

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I laughed my ass off during that scene.

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Nope. It's extremely funny. Partly BECAUSE it's beating the joke into the ground. Never seen a comic bit more effective at making you think it's over...AAAAANNNNND then it starts up again.

I actually did a variation of it a few times with a friend at parties. People loved it every time.

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It wasn't long enough. I would've watched 20 minutes of that and been thoroughly entertained.

To me, that's the best joke in the whole movie, it's so absurd and .. 'desperate'? for the lack of a better terminology, it's a miracle that the guards EVER get it.. that it's just incredibly hilarious.

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Funny, sure.
But absurd?
Not so fast …

You’ve never gotten into an endless loop with an airline or hotel customer service agent?

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I thought it was funny.

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It works for me.

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That they overcook it is what made it so much fun for me.

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