Directors Favorite Python? (1 Viewer)

[Scott Weinberg]

I was enjoying the painfully funny Meaning of Life tonight and realized that I simply love these guys. Together they were the funniest troupe ever; separately they've all done some great stuff as well.

But my main question is this: who's your favorite Python and why?

Obviously it's a very tough call, but mine would definitely be Michael Palin. To me he seems the most versatile and affable. Ask me five years ago and I'd have said Eric Idle or John Cleese.

Palin's the understated one that everyone seems to overlook. But keep an eye on Mike as you watch The Meaning of Life, Holy Grail, Life of Brian and Flying Circus and you'll see where my admiration comes from. The guy's a quiet genius.

All six of the guys are clearly brilliant in various ways. But who's your fave?

 

[Ric Bagoly]

John Cleese, no doubt about it.

The script he wrote for Fish Called Wanda confirms this.

 

[Jim_K]

Cleese with Palin a very close second

 

[Angelo.M]

what jim said...

 

[Brad Porter]

"Crucifixion? Good."
"Centuwion, why do they titter so?"
"Bloody Pilate's pet!"

Michael Palin has been my favorite since first seeing Life of Brian, but that doesn't prevent me from loving Cleese's mocking of authority figures, Jone's warbling women, Idle's playful pranksters and perverts, Chapman's flustered men of power, or Gilliam's mumbling buffoons. When I'm honest about it, I'd have to admit that Jones and Gilliam are two of my favorite directors, and Idle is one of my favorite songwriters - and that's out of all artists everywhere, not just the Pythons. Cleese is probably my favorite sketch and comedy writer out of the group. And Carol Cleveland gets more attractive and funny every time I see her.

So if I have to vote in a poll, it's Palin, but don't hold me to that. I didn't come here for an argument, I came here for getting hit on the head lessons.

Brad

 

[Lew Crippen]

John Cleese, but based on the TV Pythons as much (and perhaps more) than the movies.

The Ministry of Silly Walks is enough by itself to elevate Cleese as a performer. It is pretty hard to know (except for Gilliam) who was responsible for what, off-camera.

 

[MartinTeller]

If judging by their entire career, Terry Gilliam. Judging just their Python stuff, John Cleese.

 

[JonZ]

"Michael Palin has been my favorite since first seeing Life of Brian, but that doesn't prevent me from loving Cleese's mocking of authority figures, Jone's warbling women, Idle's playful pranksters and perverts, Chapman's flustered men of power, or Gilliam's mumbling buffoons. When I'm honest about it, I'd have to admit that Jones and Gilliam are two of my favorite directors, and Idle is one of my favorite songwriters - and that's out of all artists everywhere, not just the Pythons. Cleese is probably my favorite sketch and comedy writer out of the group. And Carol Cleveland gets more attractive and funny every time I see her."


Very true,its nearly impossible to pick between them, theyre all different and are great at different things. If I had to pick, for me it would be.....

Graham Chapman, followed by Michael Palin

And I always thought Carol was hot too

 

[JenB]

John Cleese followed by Michael Palin and then Eric Idle

 

[Steve Christou]

John Cleese has always been my favorite, he doesn't have to say anything and he still makes me laugh, a comedy legend!

My favorite Cleese character isn't in Monty Python though, for me it has to be
Basil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers, I've seen those episodes countless times and they still have me laughing my ass off, absolute genius.


BLACK KNIGHT: None shall pass.
ARTHUR: What?
BLACK KNIGHT: None shall pass.
ARTHUR: I have no quarrel with you, good Sir Knight, but I must cross this bridge.
BLACK KNIGHT: Then you shall die.
ARTHUR: I command you as King of the Britons to stand aside!
BLACK KNIGHT: I move for no man.
ARTHUR: So be it!

[hah]
[parry thrust]
[Arthur chops the Black Knight's left arm off]

ARTHUR: Now stand aside, worthy adversary.
BLACK KNIGHT: 'Tis but a scratch.
ARTHUR: A scratch? Your arm's off!
BLACK KNIGHT: No, it isn't.
ARTHUR: Well, what's that then?
BLACK KNIGHT: I've had worse.
ARTHUR: You liar!
BLACK KNIGHT: Come on you pansy!

[hah]
[parry thrust]
[Arthur chops the Black Knight's right arm off]

ARTHUR: Victory is mine! [kneeling] We thank thee Lord, that in thy merc-

[Black Knight kicks Arthur in the head while he is praying]

BLACK KNIGHT: Come on then.
ARTHUR: What?
BLACK KNIGHT: Have at you!
ARTHUR: You are indeed brave, Sir knight, but the fight is mine.
BLACK KNIGHT: Oh, had enough, eh?
ARTHUR: Look, you stupid bastard, you've got no arms left.
BLACK KNIGHT: Yes I have.
ARTHUR: Look!
BLACK KNIGHT: Just a flesh wound.

[Headbutts Arthur in the chest]

ARTHUR: Look, stop that.
BLACK KNIGHT: Chicken! Chicken!
ARTHUR: Look, I'll have your leg. Right!

[whop]
[Arthur chops of the Black Knight's right leg]

BLACK KNIGHT: Right, I'll do you for that!
ARTHUR: You'll what?
BLACK KNIGHT: Come 'ere!
ARTHUR: What are you going to do, bleed on me?
BLACK KNIGHT: I'm invincible!
ARTHUR: You're a loony.
BLACK KNIGHT: The Black Knight always triumphs! Have at you! Come on then.

[whop]
[Arthur chops the Black Knight's other leg off]

BLACK KNIGHT: All right; we'll call it a draw.
ARTHUR: Come, Patsy.
BLACK KNIGHT: Oh, oh, I see, running away then. You yellow bastards!
Come back here and take what's coming to you. I'll bite your legs off!

 

[Dome Vongvises]

John Cleese
- that's the only one I recognize by name and face.

But seriously, I think they're all good. Pity the soul that doesn't like Monty Python.