Monty Python and the Holy Grail
An absurdist fantasy epic where chivalry dissolves into a chaotic tapestry of knitted chainmail, clashing with the muddy reality of medieval Britain and the fourth wall of modern cinema.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Monty Python and the Holy Grail

"And now! At Last! Another film completely different from some of the other films which aren't quite the same as this one is."

03 April 1975 United Kingdom 91 min ⭐ 7.8 (6,169)
Director: Terry Jones Terry Gilliam
Cast: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones
Fantasy Comedy Adventure
The Subversion of Chivalry Institutional and Political Satire Metanarrative and Postmodernism The Absurdity of Logic and Knowledge The Reality of the Middle Ages
Budget: $400,000
Box Office: $5,763,644

Monty Python and the Holy Grail - Characters & Cast

Character Analysis

King Arthur

Graham Chapman

Archetype: The Pompous Leader
Key Trait: Oblivious persistence

Motivation

Driven by a divine mandate to find the Holy Grail and unite Britain, though his authority is challenged by everyone from peasants to guards.

Character Arc

Arthur remains largely static, stubbornly adhering to his vision of being a noble king despite being constantly ignored, insulted, or arrested. His journey is a regression from legend to reality.

Sir Bedevere the Wise

Terry Jones

Archetype: The Pseudo-Mentor
Key Trait: Pseudo-scientific confidence

Motivation

To apply scientific principles and logic to the quest, even when the premises are entirely nonsensical.

Character Arc

He acts as Arthur's intellectual guide, though his "wisdom" is consistently flawed. He moves from one failed logical experiment to another, such as the witch trial and the Trojan Rabbit.

Sir Lancelot the Brave

John Cleese

Archetype: The Anti-Hero / Berserker
Key Trait: Violent impulsiveness

Motivation

To find excitement and perform acts of heroism, regardless of whether they are appropriate or necessary.

Character Arc

Lancelot's path is one of misdirected aggression. His attempt at a heroic rescue results in the accidental massacre of a wedding party, highlighting the danger of knightly "bravery."

Sir Galahad the Pure

Michael Palin

Archetype: The Tempted Saint
Key Trait: Reluctant chastity

Motivation

To remain chaste and holy while pursuing the Grail, a goal he almost abandons for the "peril" of Castle Anthrax.

Character Arc

Galahad's "purity" is tested at Castle Anthrax. His arc is a humorous subversion of the saintly knight, as he is disappointed when Lancelot "rescues" him from a group of lonely women.

Cast

Graham Chapman as King Arthur / Voice of God / Middle Head / Hiccoughing Guard
John Cleese as Second Swallow-Savvy Guard / The Black Knight / Peasant 3 / Sir Launcelot the Brave / Taunting French Guard / Tim the Enchanter
Eric Idle as Dead Collector / Peasant 1 / Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir Launcelot / First Swamp Castle Guard / Concorde / Roger the Shrubber / Brother Maynard
Terry Gilliam as Patsy / Green Knight / Old Man from Scene 24 (Bridgekeeper) / Sir Bors / Animator / Gorilla Hand
Terry Jones as Dennis's Mother / Sir Bedevere / Left Head / Prince Herbert / Voice of Cartoon Scribe
Michael Palin as First Swallow-Savvy Guard / Dennis / Peasant 2 / Right Head / Sir Galahad the Pure / Narrator / King of Swamp Castle / Brother Maynard's Brother / Leader of The Knights Who Say NI!
Connie Booth as The Witch
Carol Cleveland as Zoot / Dingo
Neil Innes as First Monk / Singing Minstrel / Page Crushed by the Rabbit / Peasant #4
Bee Duffell as Old Crone
John Young as Dead Body / Historian Frank
Rita Davies as Historian's Wife
Avril Stewart as Dr. Piglet
Sally Kinghorn as Dr. Winston
Mark Zycon as Prisoner