Monty Python-Live (Mostly): One Down, Five to Go (Blu-ray) (2014) |
BUY IT |
General | Extras | ||
Category | Comedy |
Main Menu Audio & Animation Featurette-Behind The Scenes-Multiple Deleted Scenes |
|
Rating | |||
Year Of Production | 2014 | ||
Running Time | 136:57 (Case: 160) | ||
RSDL / Flipper | Dual Layered | Cast & Crew | |
Start Up | Menu | ||
Region Coding | 4 | Directed By | None Given |
Studio
Distributor |
Shock Entertainment |
Starring |
John Cleese Terry Jones Michael Palin Terry Gilliam Eric Idle |
Case | Standard Blu-ray | ||
RPI | $19.95 | Music | None Given |
Video | Audio | ||
Pan & Scan/Full Frame | None |
English Linear PCM 48/16 2.0 English DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 |
|
Widescreen Aspect Ratio | 1.78:1 | ||
16x9 Enhancement |
|
||
Video Format | 1080i | ||
Original Aspect Ratio | 1.78:1 | Miscellaneous | |
Jacket Pictures | No | ||
Subtitles |
English Danish German Spanish French Dutch Norwegian Portuguese Finnish Swedish |
Smoking | No |
Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
Action In or After Credits | No |
Monty Python is probably the most famous comedy troupe ever, revered by audiences and other comedians alike. They formed in the late 1960s after working in various combinations on television shows in England. They had a highly successful television show that ran on the BBC from 1969 to 1974 called Monty Python's Flying Circus. This was followed by various movies during the 1970s and 80s and live shows many of which are also available on DVD. However in the early 1980s the group pretty much went their own ways and have sporadically got back together for various projects. However they had not performed live together for 30 years until this year where they agreed to get back together for a final farewell live show at London's O2 arena. Originally it was planned as one show only, however that sold out in 43 seconds. They added 9 more shows which were held in mid-2014. The last of those shows was recorded and is released on this Blu-ray.
This show features all the living members of the troupe including John Cleese, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam and Eric Idle (who also created and directed the live show). The title of the show One Down, Five to Go refers to the one dead member of the troupe Graham Chapman who died in 1989. Chapman does appear in the show by use of scenes from the series shown on the big screen above the stage. Also appearing in the live show was their regular female sidekick in the series, Carol Cleveland. The show itself runs for over 2 hours and features many of the classic sketches from the show plus many of the songs including tweaked versions of songs like I Like Chinese, Christmas in Heaven, Sit on my Face, Every Sperm is Precious and many more. The P**** song also makes an appearance although it includes extra verses focused on other body parts (one part of which I think earned the MA15+ rating for the Blu-ray). Sketches done or referred to include The Cheese Shop, Dead Parrot, Llamas, You were Lucky, Bruces, Nudge Nudge and Whizzo Chocolates and many more. As the show was put together by Eric Idle it does tend more towards songs than sketches but there is a good mix. Added in are a few guest appearances by other comedians.
Fans of Monty Python will enjoy seeing these old guys performing their greatest hits (as I did), however I think the show would have had more meaning in person than it does on Blu-ray. There are a few new touches such as the extended P**** Song and a few jokes at each other's expense but generally speaking this is a live greatest hits show. Palin and Idle are obviously having a great time, however Cleese seems a bit less interested although this may just be his personality. The show is really well staged with lots of costumes and wig changes, a full chorus line and orchestra and lots of sets and props.
A nice souvenir of the end of an era as the team have said that 2014 will be the last year of existence for Monty Python. A fun show with lots to enjoy for fans.
The video quality is very good on this Blu-ray version.
The feature is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is the original aspect ratio. It is 1080i.
The picture was sharp and clear throughout, although not quite as sharp as some Blu-ray's of concerts especially longer shots. Shadow detail was excellent.
The colour is excellent really showing off the great sets and costumes.
There was some minor digital noise here and there probably from the original recording.
There are subtitles in English which were clear and easy to read plus Danish, German, Spanish, French, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Finnish and Swedish.
Sharpness | |
Shadow Detail | |
Colour | |
Grain/Pixelization | |
Film-To-Video Artefacts | |
Film Artefacts | |
Overall |
The audio quality is very good. There are two quite different options available.
This disc contains an English soundtrack in LPCM 2.0 48/16 and in DTS HD-MA 5.1. The LPCM version is the default and felt like the best option for watching the show to me. The DTS version included a lot more crown noise so gave the feeling of actually being in the arena, however this meant that the dialogue was less prominent, which is obviously important in comedy. Either way the sound was clear and well defined.
Dialogue was clear and easy to understand throughout.
The music is marvellous with all the songs and orchestra sounding great on either soundtrack.
The surround speakers were used mostly for crowd noise on the DTS track.
The subwoofer was used to support the music.
Dialogue | |
Audio Sync | |
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts | |
Surround Channel Use | |
Subwoofer | |
Overall |
A decent set of extras although no real laughs are included.
The menu features music and motion. Watch the curtains as they go by for a few laughs.
An amusing set of biographies which bear little relation to the truth and some photos.
Early rehearsal footage.
Behind the scenes footage of the announcement of the shows.
Behind the scenes footage of the production meetings led by Eric Idle and John Du Prez (the conductor/musical director). Includes various meetings, songs and choreography for the production.
More behind the scenes footage mostly featuring the extras changing costumes, rehearsing, hair styling, changing wigs etc.
Not really what it sounds like this is some more behind the scenes footage of guests such as Bill Bailey, Simon Pegg, Stephen Fry, Mike Myers and more.
Shooting the Pythons as Pepperpots and Gumbies for showing on the big screen. Probably the best extra.
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
This film is available in other regions on Blu-ray in the same format.
The video quality is very good.
The audio quality is very good.
The extras are decent.Video | |
Audio | |
Extras | |
Plot | |
Overall |
Review Equipment | |
DVD | SONY BDP-S760 Blu-ray, using HDMI output |
Display | Sharp LC52LE820X Quattron 52" Full HD LED-LCD TV . Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 1080p. |
Audio Decoder | Built into amplifier. Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum. |
Amplification | Marantz SR5005 |
Speakers | Monitor Audio Bronze 2 (Front), Bronze Centre & Bronze FX (Rears) + Sony SAW2500M Subwoofer |