Review of Monty Python`s Flying Circus Set #6

Introduction

The sixth double-disc set of Monty Python episodes from A&E, contains episodes 33 to 39 of this much-loved classic TV series. These episodes made up the second half of the third season, and whilst they pretty much continue where the earlier two seasons left off, they start to move in slightly different directions, with episodes like "The Cycling Tour".

Recorded in 1972 and broadcast in 1973, does Monty Python stand the test of time? Well, that`s a rhetorical question really, because of course it does!

On to the discs themselves.

Video

Video quality is as good as can be expected for a 29 year old TV series that has been converted from PAL to NTSC.

It`s a travesty that Python fans have to import NTSC discs to watch their favourite show, but thankfully the quality is good enough. Certainly better than my VHS copies which are getting rather worn out.

Audio

Again, as good as can be expected given the age. A DD2.0 stereo track is available, which is just really the mono recording played back over both channels. It sounds good enough, so no complaints in this department either.

Features

As well as three episodes on the first disk and four on the second, we even get a selection of extras.

You`ll find "Gillianimations" - a collection of animation segments from the brain of the mad animator, "Meet the Chaps" which is the biography section, but which also includes a brief sketch for each of the team, "Monty Karaoke" - to enable you to sing along to those Python classics, a trivia quiz called "A Trivial Quest", which is fairly easy for fans and rewards you with more sketches and also "Pythonisms" - a useful dictionary to help you speak Python, partially aimed at the American audience (who the disk is really for of course).

A very well presented set of extras, and good to see that some effort has gone into these discs.

Conclusion

Another chance to own another classic slice of Monty Python on DVD. Fans should snap these up as there`s still no news of the full series being released in region 2. The BBC have still only mustered a "best of season one" disc.

Plenty of classic sketches on offer including "The Cheese Shop", "Dennis Moore", "Biggles dictates a letter", "Flats built by hypnosis", "Spot the Loony" and many more.

A must buy for fans everywhere.