Watch Monty Python's Flying Circus - Terry Gilliam's Personal Best

Monty Python's Flying Circus was a British sketch comedy television show that originally aired in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Created by members of the Monty Python comedy group, including Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin, the show featured a blend of surreal and absurd humor that became iconic in British and global popular culture.

Terry Gilliam, one of the founding members of Monty Python, was known for his contributions to the show's visual elements. As an animator, he created the show's distinctive, cut-out animation style, which became a signature part of Monty Python's aesthetic.

In Monty Python's Flying Circus - Terry Gilliam's Personal Best from Python (Monty) Pictures, viewers are treated to a collection of some of Gilliam's most memorable and influential contributions to the show. From his early work on the series to his later, more elaborate animations, the special takes a close look at Gilliam's unique style and how it helped to define Monty Python's irreverent humor.

The show is divided into several segments, each focusing on a different aspect of Gilliam's contributions to the show. Through clips and behind-the-scenes footage, viewers get a better understanding of how Gilliam's animation style evolved over time, and how he worked with the other members of Monty Python to create some of their most memorable sketches.

One segment focuses on Gilliam's early, simpler animations, which often featured cut-out figures in simple backdrops. These animations were a key part of Monty Python's early success, and they helped to establish the show's quirky, offbeat sense of humor. Viewers are able to see how Gilliam's work evolved over time, becoming more complex and elaborate as technology and budget allowed.

Another segment highlights some of Gilliam's more political and social commentary animations. Rather than relying on absurdity and randomness, these animations took on more serious subjects and provided a biting commentary on the state of the world. By using his unique visual style to explore serious and important topics, Gilliam was able to bring a different perspective to the show and add depth to Monty Python's humor.

Throughout the special, viewers are also treated to interviews with Gilliam and other members of the Monty Python group. These interviews provide insights into the creative process behind the show, as well as the unique personalities and talents that made it such a cultural phenomenon. Viewers get a sense of the camaraderie amongst the group, and how they were able to work together to create some of the most memorable sketches in television history.

Monty Python's Flying Circus - Terry Gilliam's Personal Best is a must-see for fans of Monty Python, and for anyone interested in the history of sketch comedy and visual storytelling. Through its careful curation of clips and insightful commentary, viewers are able to gain a deeper appreciation for Terry Gilliam's artistry and his pivotal role in making Monty Python the iconic cultural touchstone that it is today.