How sad is this?

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

The night before the Pythons celebrated their 20th anniversary of their first television shows, Graham Chapman died after a long illness.Steve Martin, a fan gives a deadpan commentary to this celebration of all things Python.Its an excuse for us to see clips of the Python shows. Dead Parrot sketch excluded.Monty Python which debuted on BBC1 launched a new type of absurd, surrealist comedy and its been heavily influential on both sides of the Atlantic. The final scene leaves us with all of the team trapped in a cupboard, Chapman included.

I suppose if you see this compilation as a stand-alone feature, you'll probably find it good enough. But I saw it as part of the 2-disc "Monty Python Live!" DVD edition (and this comment is meant ONLY for those who see it this way), and although it has some funny moments ("nobody ever expects the Spanish Inquisition!"), it is largely a waste of time. For one thing, you can see all these sketches elsewhere. For another, you can see many of them on the SAME DVD PACK. And for another, most of the best sketches ("The Argument", "Lumberjack's Song", "World Forum") are infinitely better executed in "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" (which is included on the other disc). If anything, this film helps you gain a greater appreciation of that film, and of how much experience improved the Pythons over the years. This disc also includes the first "German Episode", which is alternately brilliant (with some of Terry Gilliam's best animation) and labored, and mostly of historical interest.

A decent compilation of python sketches, and according to the host Steve Martin, some clips never before seen. Rather disapointing however, some of the funniest sketches are noticably cut short, leaving out the punch line. Great introduction sampler for folks who are less familiar with the comedy groups Flying Circus matereal, but fanatic devotees might be somewhat distraught with sketches being trimmed. Final television appearance of the entire python team together shown briefly at the end of the film, which is a shame and a poor final tribute due to Graham Chapman dying soon there after.

With the exception of the Dead Parrot sketch which hands this compilation it's title, this is the ultimate collection of Python classics that have been suitably squeezed into 72 minutes. The Ministry of Silly Walks, Spam, The Lumberjack Song..they're all here along with some other lesser-known delights (e.g. the Queen Victoria Handicapp, fantastic!).