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Right off the bat, I feel like I have to admit that I'm not very experienced with Monty Python. Before last January, I'd never seen anything of theirs - a sin punishable by severe lashings in some circles, I'm sure - but that changed when I watched Monty Python Live (Mostly), which I really enjoyed. Since then, I've been interested in seeing more of their stuff and finally got around to checking out the most popular film in the Monty Python universe.

The main plot line, focusing on King Arthur (wonderfully played by Graham Chapman) and his knights' quest to find the Holy Grail, is sublime. I don't know if I could pick out a favorite scene since there are so many tremendously funny moments, but I have to mention a few: the opening credits (talk about starting a film off on the right foot), the French guard (John Cleese) taunting Arthur and company from his castle high above, the coconuts instead of horses gag, the 'Swallow-Savvy Guards' (Michael Palin and Cleese) arguing with Arthur, the dead collector (Eric Idle), and, of course, the Black Knight (Cleese again), which may be the most famous scene from the entire film.

This is first time I've seen Chapman in anything and I was very impressed with his comedic talents. His ability to sell each and every joke and reaction shot is unparalleled among the Python troop. It's a shame he died so young - I would have loved to see him perform as an older man with the rest of the guys in Monty Python Live (Mostly). So much of the film rests on Chapman's shoulders as he plays the lead character and, even more importantly, the "straight man" most of the time. His reactions to the absurd happenings around him were just perfect.

For the rest of the cast, everyone is pretty spot on. As I mentioned above, John Cleese is at the center of a lot of my favorite moments from the film, and he commits wholeheartedly to each character he takes on. While watching it, I didn't realize which actor was playing most of the parts, so I had to look them up. I was a bit surprised when Cleese's name kept popping up. It's an indication of his talents that he was able to disappear into each character.

Michael Palin was probably my favorite performer from Monty Python Live (Mostly) and I was especially excited to see more of his work here. He didn't disappoint. Besides playing one of the Swallow-Savvy Guards, Palin excelled as Sir Galahad, the King of Swamp Castle, and the leader of the Knights Who Say Ni! Just like Cleese, Palin has the ability of disappearing into each role.

Eric Idle is the last of the Python regulars who plays a bunch of important roles. He didn't exactly impress me, but he didn't stand out as being weak in any role, either. His dead collector is by far the most entertaining character, but Sir Robin and Roger the Shrubber are both entertaining, too.

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