7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.8 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
The surviving members of Monty Python are reuniting for another major documentary series, telling their story.
Starring: Eric Idle, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones (I)Documentary | 100% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: LPCM 2.0
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Eagle Rock Film Productions Limited in association with The Independent Film Channel bring to Blu-ray the terrific documentary "Monty Python: Almost the Truth - The Lawyers Cut" (2009). Its six episodes - "The not so interesting beginning", "The much funnier second episode", "And now, the sordid personal bits", "The ultimate Holy Grail episode", "Lust for glory!" and "Finally, the last episode (ever) (for now...)" - are placed on two separate discs. Disc 2 also contains "Extended Interviews with the Pythons", "Outtakes From The Cutting Room Floor", "Terry Gilliam Picture Gallery", etc. Subtitled in English, Danish, German, Spanish, French, Norwegian, Portuguese and Swedish (including the supplemental features). Region-Free.
They were controversial, alright!
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 (original content), encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080i transfer, Monty Python: Almost the Truth arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment.
The original content (interviews) looks very strong. Detail is excellent, clarity good, and contrast pleasing. As expected, the quality of the archival footage varies - some of the footage reveals plenty of damage, some of it does not. Additionally, a lot of the important B&W stills the producers of Monty Python: Almost the Truth have included look excellent.
Furthermore, quite a few of the numerous film clips that are included in this documentary actually look rather impressive. Lastly, "motion-judder" is not an issue of concern with this release. All in all, I personally have absolutely no reservations with the presentation whatsoever. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English LPCM 2.0 and English Dolby Digital 5.1. I opted for the English LPCM 2.0 track and later on did a few random comparisons with the English Dolby Digital 5.1 track for the purpose of this review.
Once again, I have absolutely no reservations with the English LPCM 2.0 track whatsoever. The dialog is crisp and notably easy to follow. During the interviews, I did not detect any disturbing issues to report in this review. As far as the archival footage is concerned, obviously there are some limitations that you would notice. None of them, however, would detract heavily from your viewing experience.
The English Dolby Digital 5.1 track is just as effective. The dialog is crisp and very easy to follow, and there are a few sequences where the rear channels actually come alive. Still, I prefer the English LPCM 2.0 track.
For the record, Eagle Rock Entertainment have provided optional English, Danish, German, Spanish, French, Norwegian, Portuguese and Swedish subtitles for the main feature.
Note: All of the supplemental features arrive with optional English, Danish, German, Spanish, French, Norwegian, Portuguese and Swedish subtitles.
The Sketches - a collection of seven well known sketches - "Dead Parrot", "Spanish Inquisition", "The Fish Slapping Dance", "Ministry of Silly Walks", "Lumberjack Song", "The Cheese Shop", and "SPAM". (1080i/60).
Extended interviews - a collection of five extended interviews with John Cleese (18 min), Eric Idle (11 min), Terry Jones (7 min), Terry Gilliam (14 min), and Michael Palin (18 min). The additional information the interviews contain pertains to the actors' backgrounds. (1080i/60).
Outtakes - a collection of eleven outtakes: "The Seventh Python" (5 min), "The Hendon Sketch" (3 min), "The Origins of the Cheese Shop" (3 min), "Steve Coogan - The Undertaker" (2 min), "Python on Python" (9 min), "The Spam Museum" (4 min), "Python in Texas" (2 min), "Tomorrow's World's The Broken Bottle" (6 min), "Bruce Dickinson Registers a Complaint" (6 min), "Elvis was a Python Fan" (8 min), "The Origins of Fawlty Towers" (7 min). (1080i/60)
Terry Gilliam Picture Gallery - (1080i/60).
I enjoyed every single minute of this terrific documentary! It is rather long but incredibly well produced and, what matters the most, very informative. Frankly, I cannot think of a single reason why anyone who has ever had any interest in the Pythons would not want to add Monty Python: Almost the Truth to his/her collection. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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