Michael Palin
Birthday: 1943-05-05
Place of Birth: Broomhill, Sheffield, England, UK
Biography: Michael Edward Palin, CBE FRGS (born 5 May 1943) is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries. Palin wrote most of his comedic material with Terry Jones. Before Monty Python, they had worked on other shows such as The Ken Dodd Show, The Frost Report and Do Not Adjust Your Set. Palin appeared in some of the most famous Python sketches, including "Argument Clinic", "Dead Parrot", "The Lumberjack Song", and "The Spanish Inquisition". Palin continued to work with Jones after Python, co-writing Ripping Yarns. He has also appeared in several films directed by fellow Python Terry Gilliam and made notable appearances in other films such as A Fish Called Wanda, for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was voted the 30th favourite by fellow comedians and comedy insiders. After Python, he began a new career as a travel writer and travel documentarian. His journeys have taken him across the world, including the North and South Poles, the Sahara desert, the Himalayas and, most recently, Eastern Europe. In 2000 Palin was honoured as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to television.
Movies
Brazil
Low-level bureaucrat Sam Lowry escapes the monotony of his day-to-day life through a recurring daydr...
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Life of Brian
Brian Cohen is an average young Jewish man, but through a series of ridiculous events, he gains a re...
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A Fish Called Wanda
While a diamond advocate attempts to steal a collection of diamonds, troubles arise when he realises...
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Monty Python and the Holy Grail
King Arthur, accompanied by his squire, recruits his Knights of the Round Table, including Sir Bedev...
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Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Life's questions are 'answered' in a series of outrageous vignettes, beginning with a staid London i...
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Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
An documentarian from the BBC visits the set of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975). This documen...
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Jabberwocky
After the death of his father, young Dennis Cooper goes to town where he has to pass several adventu...
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Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Monty Python perform many of their greatest sketches at the Hollywood Bowl, including several from p...
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Fierce Creatures
Ex-policeman Rollo Lee is sent to run Marwood Zoo, the newly acquired business of a New Zealand tyco...
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And Now for Something Completely Different
A collection of Monty Python's Flying Circus skits from the first two seasons of their British TV se...
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Life Of Brian Screenplay
An original illustrated 110 minute recording by The Pythons of their early screenplay in progress....
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Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Monty Python's Personal Best is a miniseries of six one-hour specials, each showcasing the contribut...
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Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule
Comedian Rik Mayall died suddenly on 9 June 2014. Mayall's blend of rocket-fuelled physical comedy, ...
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Time Bandits
Young history buff Kevin can scarcely believe it when six dwarfs emerge from his closet one night. F...
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Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
The Secret Policeman benefit shows for Amnesty International brought together comedy grand masters -...
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50 Films to See Before You Die
Celebrating the relaunch of Film4 as a free-to-air TV channel, Channel4 counts down their list of th...
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Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)
Not The Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) is a comic oratorio based on Monty Python's Life of Brian,...
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The Wind in the Willows
Jailed for his reckless driving, rambunctious Mr. Toad has to escape from prison when his beloved To...
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Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'
Short documentary on the music of the 'prefab four', The Rutles. Shabby Road is where the band reco...
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Hitler: The Comedy Years
A documentary about the portrayal of Adolf Hitler in popular culture....
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Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles'
Short documentary about the making of the film 'The Rutles: All You Need is Cash'....
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How to Irritate People
A pre-Monty Python mockumentary, written by and presented by John Cleese, that provides tips on lear...
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Arthur Christmas
For hundreds of years, the Claus family has delegated the title "Santa" to a chosen few of its membe...
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Around the World in 20 Years
To mark the twentieth anniversary of "Around the World in 80 Days" we went back to Dubai and India t...
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Is This a Record?
John Cleese, Michael Palin and Terry Jones celebrate the Guinness Book of World Records....
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The Missionary
In 1905, after 10 years of missionary work in Africa, the Rev. Charles Fortesque is recalled to Engl...
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American Friends
Francis Ashby, a senior Oxford don on holiday alone in the Alps, meets holidaying American Caroline ...
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A Private Function
In the summer of 1947, Britain prepares to commemorate the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince ...
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Pleasure at Her Majesty's
The first of the Amnesty International comedy benefit galas. The title is a play on the phrase at He...
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The Secret Policeman's Ball
A series of benefit concerts to raise money for Amnesty International. Performances include comedy s...
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The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
Following the success of the 1979 show and the financial benefits accruing to Amnesty from the spin-...
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The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
After the criticisms of the 1987 show’s disproportionate focus on music - and the financial disaster...
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Three Men in a Boat
One hot June day, three friends decide there is nothing they would like to do more than to get away ...
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Absolutely Anything
Eccentric aliens give a man the power to do anything he wants to determine if Earth is worth saving....
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The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
Ten years ago exactly, more or less, give or take a day or two, six young men sat down, or maybe sto...
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The Wind in the Willows
Jailed for his reckless driving, rambunctious Mr. Toad has to escape from prison when his beloved To...
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The Willows in Winter
Hailed as the "rightful heir" to "The Wind in the Willows", William Horwood's critically acclaimed s...
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Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch
One of the least-known Monty Python rarities is “The Close-up Toothpaste Relaunch,” a short advertis...
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Ending It All
Michael Palin guides us on suicide in this humorous public information film on motorway safety....
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A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam pay tribute to their late Monty Python col...
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Palin on Redpath
Michael Palin travels to France in search of the Mediterranean view on his wall, captured by his fav...
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Frost on Sketch Shows
Sir David Frost traces the development of the sketch show over the last fifty years, from variety th...
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Anatomy of a Liar
A documentary about A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman....
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The Wipers Times
When Captain Fred Roberts discovered a printing press in the ruins of Ypres, Belgium in 1916, he dec...
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The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations
A documentary with Terry Jones and Michael Palin travelling to the locations of "Monty Python and Ho...
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The Seventh Python
Sean Connors Films, Ltd. Presents a Frozen Pictures production of The Seventh Python, a nonfiction m...
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Life of Python
This BBC documentary tells the history of the Python group, allowing a few glimpses at the works of ...
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The Box
Several individuals have been packed in a box; they disagree regarding what should be done....
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The Secret Policeman's Ball
A live stand-up comedy and music gig to celebrate Amnesty International's 50th Anniversary....
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Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Steve Martin presents selected sketches from "Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969)". It's the well kn...
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The Movie Life of George
When EMI refused to produce Monty Python's Life of Brian, George Harrison founded Handmade Pictures ...
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Monty Python Live (Mostly)
Celebrate the last night of the Pythons on the big screen! With John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gillia...
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The Crimson Permanent Assurance
A group of down-and-out accountants mutiny against their bosses and sail their office building onto ...
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The Fringe, Fame and Me
The Fringe, Fame and Me is the story of how a small Scottish arts festival that began 75 years ago t...
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50 Years of BBC Two Comedy
Documentary charting and celebrating five decades of often groundbreaking, boundary-pushing comedy f...
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Euroshow '71: May Day Special
German made-for-TV musical extravaganza starring Monty Python....
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Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
30 years after Fawlty Towers (1975) ended, Stephen Fry narrates a documentary about the making of th...
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Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
With unprecedented access, this program reveals the humour, chaos and passion that went into bringin...
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Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs
A celebration of John Cleese and Connie Booth's acclaimed sitcom following the misadventures of Torq...
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Attenborough at 90
In celebration of his ninetieth birthday, Sir David Attenborough shares extraordinary highlights of ...
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The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
The behind-the-scenes production documentary of Monty Python's 'Meaning Of Life.' This documentary ...
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Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace
A very personal portrait of the truly unique comedy genius of Spike Milligan, as told in his own wor...
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Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
A documentary about the legendary and influential comedian, actor and writer, who went out from the ...
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Generation '66
Documentary exploring the key events of 1966, a period when British pop music, fashion and sport was...
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Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute
One of many tributes following the death of Spike Milligan. Comedians, actors and musicians join for...
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Tracey Ullman: A Class Act
A short series of 15 minute programmes, really expanded sketches, in which Tracey Ullman and Michael...
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Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi
In 2005, Michael Palin set out to unlock the mysteries and find out about the background and life of...
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The Grand Knockout Tournament
The Grand Knockout Tournament (colloquially also known as It's a Royal Knockout) was a one-off chari...
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The Magic Faraway Tree
Soon after the Thompson family’s arrival in the countryside, the three children – Joe, Beth, and Fra...
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Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse
Michael Palin visits the Baltimore apartment gallery of Etta and Claribel Cone, wealthy American sis...
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The Death of Stalin
When dictator Joseph Stalin dies, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to be...
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Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One
Telling the stories of the last soldiers to die in the Great War....
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Monty Python in Aberystwyth
In a strange turn of events, Sue Jones-Davies became the mayor of a Welsh town where Monty Python's ...
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Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall
Half-hour behind the scenes of Eric Idle's Not The Messiah oratorio. Featuring Eric Idle, Terry Jone...
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The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything
Terry Jones and Michael Palin revisit their "pre-Python" sketch show from 1969 which has sadly been ...
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Tomkinson's Schooldays
New boarder Tomkinson is thoroughly miserable at Graybridge public school where he has to fight the ...
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The Testing of Eric Olthwaite
Eric Olthwaite is so boring that his family all leave home to escape him. Then one day he is acciden...
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Comic Roots: Michael Palin
Short biographical documentary about comedian Michael Palin and his early interest in acting and com...
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Escape from Stalag Luft 112B
During World War I Major Errol Phipps is determined to escape from Stalag Luft 112B but his attempts...
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Murder at Moorstones Manor
Sir Clive Chiddingfield invites his family to his birthday party at lonely Moorstones Manor but in t...
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Across the Andes by Frog
Explorer Walter Snetterton and his party travel to the Andes to prove his theory that frogs are able...
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The Curse of the Claw
Sir Kevin Orr is anxious to return the Sacred Claw of the Naga hills given him as a child by his unc...
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Whinfrey's Last Case
In 1913 the British government, hearing that the Germans are planning World War I, ask top agent Whi...
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Golden Gordon
Barnestoneworth United is the worst football team of 1935, who lose every match. Gordon Ottershaw is...
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Roger of the Raj
On the eve of the Great War Roger Bartlesham's aristocratic parents are firm believers in the Empire...
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Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World
The outrageous life of the American dancer of the 1920s, Isadora Duncan, whom Ken Russell described ...
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Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns
Alexander Armstrong explores the literature that inspired Michael Palin and Terry Jones's classic TV...
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The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin
6 part series where Michael Palin discusses the different railways across Britain and their respecti...
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The Broken Bottle
Short sketch written by and starring Michael Palin and Terry Jones, of Monty Python....
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Comedians Do It On Stage
A Group of Britain's top comedy and music performers gather at a London Theater, to give their suppo...
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The Roots of Monty Python
A look back at the origins of the ground breaking BBC comedy series Monty Python's Flying Circus....
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Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind
Robbie and Donner's wedding is interrupted when Donner is kidnapped by aliens. Robbie saves the day ...
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Monty Python In The Netherlands
Monty Python sketch created for Dutch television in 1973....
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Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia
Michael Palin discovers the story of 17th-century Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi. He unearths ...
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What the Pythons Did Next...
A look at the careers of John Cleese, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terr...
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Henry Cleans Up
An educational comedy film from Guinness instructing how to clean out your pipes in the pub....
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Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'
Documentary about actor Peter Sellers and one of his most memorable film roles....
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The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1
Compilation of the best Sketches of the first series of Monty Python's Flying Circus, which ran from...
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The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2
All the best sketches from the second series of the ground-breaking comedy. Memorable moments includ...
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The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3
All the best sketches from the third and fourth series of the ground-breaking comedy. Memorable mome...
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The Meaning of Monty Python
A discussion between John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones about thei...
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The Monty Python Story
The story behind how the comedy sketch group Monty Python formed in 1969, and lead to four very seri...
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Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm
Meatloaf introduces a look back at Python's use of music. Included interviews with the team, André J...
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Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches
The Sketches produced by the surviving Pythons for the BBC's celebration of the 30th Anniversary of ...
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Monty Python: Pythonland
Michael Palin presents a documentary discovering some of the places that were used as locations for ...
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Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
This special one-hour documentary reflects on Michael Palin's fascinating career as a BAFTA-winning ...
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Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
Discover how six seemingly ordinary but supremely talented men became Monty Python, sketch comedy's ...
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What Is Brazil?
Rob Hedden's witty on-set documentary captures the revolutionary air that had begun to swirl around ...
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Monty Python Conquers America
This documentary follows the evolution of the British sketch comedy troupe that redefined humor and ...
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Michael Palin In Wyeth's World
Michael Palin heads for rural Pennsylvania and Maine to explore the extraordinary life and work of o...
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Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television
Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television is a BBC documentary film that recounts Dav...
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Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
Alan Yentob meets the five surviving members of Monty Python - John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jon...
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The Unknown Peter Sellers
Documentary about the life and career of a comic genius, Peter Sellers....
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Viz: The Documentary
Tongue-in-cheek documentary about British adult humor magazine, Viz....
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An Accidental Studio
Charts the early years of HandMade Films seen through the eyes of the filmmakers, key personnel, and...
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Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes
The legend of Hamish MacInnes began early. At 16 he climbed the Matterhorn. At 17 he built his first...
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John Cleese's First Farewell Performance
A feature length documentary on the making of A Fish Called Wanda...
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Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
From ‘something completely different’ to icons of comedy and national treasures, this is a collectio...
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The Dress
A BAFTA award winning drama about a mistake when buying a dress for his mistress leads Howard to loo...
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The Secret Life of Brian
A documentary about the making of the controversial Life of Brian and the surrounding accusations of...
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Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy
The comedy pioneer behind the Goon Show, Dr Strangelove and the Pink Panther series is explored in d...
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Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best
Monty Python's Personal Best is a miniseries of six one-hour specials, each showcasing the contribut...
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Monty Python: Who's There?
An instructional film about canvassing, for the Labour Party and starring the Python team, showing L...
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Produced By George Martin
A profile of Sir George Martin, Britain's most celebrated record producer, from his early days at EM...
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The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
One of the least-known Monty Python rarities is “The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch of 1971,” a short...
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Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation
Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin reflect on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and what...
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John Peel's Record Box
John Peel's Record Box is a documentary film made by Elaine Shepherd, released on 14 November 2005 o...
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Monty Python: Live at Aspen
In March 1998 in Aspen, Colorado, the surviving members of the Monty Python team – John Cleese, Terr...
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Jeepers Creepers
After twenty years as a struggling variety turn and then a prolific scriptwriter and television star...
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Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
Monty Python’s influence on comedy has been compared to the Beatles’ influence on music, a pivotal m...
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Concert for George
As a memorial to George Harrison on the first anniversary of his passing, The Concert for George was...
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How To Make It In Comedy
Told by the stars who first found fame at the Edinburgh Fringe, this the inside story of what it tak...
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Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk
When Jack sells his cow for some lousy looking beans, his mother goes into a rage and throws the bea...
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Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release
This is a theatrical / movie adaptation of the TV Miniseries. Its chapters do not align with the epi...
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The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema
When the Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley, north London, celebrated its centenary year in 2010, On-Pa...
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The Academy of Armando
Alan Yentob profiles the stellar career of one of the great satirists of our age, Armando Iannucci, ...
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The Witches
A young boy named Luke and his grandmother go on vacation only to discover their hotel is hosting an...
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When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain
The film tells the story of how Springsteen and the E Street Band first arrived in the UK in Novembe...
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Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration
A tribute to the celebrated and enigmatic actress, with her life story told by those who knew her be...
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Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best
Monty Python's Personal Best is a miniseries of six one-hour specials, each showcasing the contribut...
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Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best
Monty Python's Personal Best is a miniseries of six one-hour specials, each showcasing the contribut...
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Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best
Monty Python's Personal Best is a miniseries of six one-hour specials, each showcasing the contribut...
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Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best
Monty Python's Personal Best is a miniseries of six one-hour specials, each showcasing the contribut...
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Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Monty Python's Personal Best is a miniseries of six one-hour specials, each showcasing the contribut...
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New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days
Kate Garraway interviews Michael Palin CBE to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of his landmark and gro...
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Meridian: The First Ten Minutes
"Meridian - The First 10 Minutes" was a special program that launched the ITV franchise Meridian Bro...
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The First Night of Meridian
A special half-hour programme commemorating the launch of Meridian Television....
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Innes Lloyd: The Producer
A look at the life and work of television producer Innes Lloyd...
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