# Absolutely Anything - The "kind of" Monty Python movie **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 27, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805 "2012-01-27T02:00:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/1 "2012-01-27T02:00:05Z")
No, it is not really a new Monty Python movie, but it will feature everyone except Eric Idle(uh, and Graham Chapman). I really think they should just all get back together and do one more Monty Python movie, really. Even if it sucked, I think it’d be worth it. [Thoughts?](http://movies.yahoo.com/news/monty-python-stars-reuniting-absolutely-anything-210743599.html) ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/2 "2012-01-27T12:30:27Z")
I just finished reading Michael Palin’s diaries, and after seeing some of the drama and frustration that goes on trying to make a Monty Python movie, it’s no wonder that they’ve mostly moved on to different things! ---
**Author:** ![Krav\_Manga](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/krav_manga/32/3153_2.png) [@Krav\_Manga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krav_Manga)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/3 "2012-01-27T13:01:55Z")
> [@](#): > > Robin Williams is in talks to play a dog and a pompous Frenchman That tells me all I really need to know. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/4 "2012-01-27T13:05:56Z")
From the plot description, this sounds like a modern working of **The Man Who Could Work Miracles** , a 1936 fantasy film based on the H.G. wells short story\*. > **[The Man Who Could Work Miracles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_Who_Could_Work_Miracles)** > > The Man Who Could Work Miracles is a 1937 British fantasy comedy film directed by Lothar Mendes and produced by Alexander Korda. The film stars Roland Young with a cast of supporting players including Sir Ralph Richardson. Possibly the best-known of Mendes' 20 films, it is an expanded version of H. G. Wells's 1898 short story of the same name. Wells worked on the adaptation, revising the plot to reflect his socialist frustrations with the British upper class and the growing threats of commu Th... > **[The Man Who Could Work Miracles youtube - Search Videos](http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=The%2BMan%2BWho%2BCould%2BWork%2BMiracles%2Byoutube&view=detail&mid=72D84C5AEAA99570E59672D84C5AEAA99570E596&first=0&FORM=LKVR23)** I like this: > [@](#): > > “It’s not a Python film,” Jones told TheWrap. “It’s a different thing. It’s not really that we’re all getting back together.” I see. They’re all working together on a film, but they’re not getting back together. It must be one of those subtle distinctions, like the one between Tab and Diet Coke. (It was probably the most faithful adaptation of Wells’ work ever, including _Things to Come_, which wells scripted himself. The film was made so long ago that Torin Thatcher, who played one of the gods/aliens, actually _has hair_.) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/5 "2012-01-27T14:24:26Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I see. They’re all working together on a film, but they’re not getting back together. It must be one of those subtle distinctions, like the one between Tab and Diet Coke. Well, it sounds like Eric Idle is not on board yet. Also, Graham Chapman is a pain to get to work these days. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/6 "2012-01-27T15:12:07Z")
They’re working together, but they’re not getting back together _as Python_. From what I understand, Michael Palin feels that Python died with Chapman. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/7 "2012-01-27T15:14:43Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Well, it sounds like Eric Idle is not on board yet. Also, Graham Chapman is a pain to get to work these days. “I’m not dead!” ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/8 "2012-01-27T15:21:43Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > They’re working together, but they’re not getting back together _as Python_. From what I understand, Michael Palin feels that Python died with Chapman. Having 4 out of 6 of them calling themselves Python would be as bad as if Roger Daltry and Pete Townsend called themselves The Who. That would just be silly. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/9 "2012-01-27T15:22:06Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I see. They’re all working together on a film, but they’re not getting back together. It must be one of those subtle distinctions, like the one between Tab and Diet Coke. I would say a Monty Python film is one _written_ by the members of Monty Python, not just a film that features some subset of them. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/10 "2012-01-27T15:49:15Z")
There have been LOTS of movies in which 2 or 3 of the old Monty Python gang worked together. Terry Gilliam worked with Michael Palin and John Cleese on _ **Time Bandits** _, Gilliam worked with Eric Idle on _ **Baron Munchausen** _, Cleese worked with Palin on _ **A Fish Called Wanda** _, etc. But I wouldn’t call ANY of those Monty Python movies. For that matter, 4 of the ex-Pythons (Terry Jones, Idle, Cleese and Palin) worked together in _ **Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride** _. That wasn’t really a Python picture, wither. This new project doesn’t strike me as a Monty Python movie either. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/11 "2012-01-27T16:26:35Z")
Please note that my criticism is not saying that thois ought to be a Monty Python picture \*. I was commenting on the apparently ethereal difference between “it’s not really that we’re getting back together” and their actually, well, getting back together. (just not as _Monty Python_) - Note that _Jabberwocky_ had not only Pythons, but also a very Holy-Grailish look, but it’s certainly not a Python flick) ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/12 "2012-01-27T17:54:18Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Please note that my criticism is not saying that thois ought to be a Monty Python picture \*. I was commenting on the apparently ethereal difference between “it’s not really that we’re getting back together” and their actually, well, getting back together. (just not as _Monty Python_) Well, this isn’t a perfect analogy, but ALL of the other Beatles appeared to one degree or another on the 1973\*\*\* Ringo \*\*\*album. Was that a Beatles album? No- but of course, any time two or more of the boys did something together, it launched speculation that, maybe, the Beatles were reuniting. Same thing here- the Pythons working on this movie are just saying, “We happen to be doing a project together- not for the first time since our split. Don’t read too much into this.” ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/13 "2012-01-27T18:02:16Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > They’re working together, but they’re not getting back together _as Python_. From what I understand, Michael Palin feels that Python died with Chapman. I actually thought that Palin was nearly ready to tour with them back in 1998, but ended up wanting more money and the whole thing fell through. Pure gossip from me now, though. I don’t have a citation. Am I wrong about this? > [@John\_DiFool](#): > > “I’m not dead!” “Nonsense! And good riddance to you, ya’ freeloading bastard. I hope you fry!” ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/14 "2012-01-27T18:16:25Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Well, this isn’t a perfect analogy, but ALL of the other Beatles appeared to one degree or another on the 1973\*\*\* Ringo \*\*\*album. > > Was that a Beatles album? No- but of course, any time two or more of the boys did something together, it launched speculation that, maybe, the Beatles were reuniting. > > Same thing here- the Pythons working on this movie are just saying, “We happen to be doing a project together- not for the first time since our split. Don’t read too much into this.” Yes, I thought of the same analogy. And I understand the difference between a Python item and non-Python. But, as I say, it’s bizarre to say that “we’re not getting back together” when they’re all back together. The Marx brothers had a better case for “not getting back together” in **The Story of Mankind** , that wonderfully awful film. They each appeared in it, but not together, not interacting (Chicio was wasted in his role). In this film, it appears that the ex-Pythons\* will be interacting pretty strongly. \*THIS is an EX-Python! ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/15 "2012-01-28T00:31:18Z")
One feature that is essential for something to be a _Monty Python_ project is that it contain a non-trivial amount of Terry Gilliam (style) cartoons. They were a very distinctive feature of the real thing. The _Python_ style of sketch humor, often actually performed by Cleese, Chapman, Palin, Jones or Idle, had already been seen quite extensively on British TV and radio when Python started, in shows like _I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again_, _At Last the 1948 Show_, _The Complete and Utter History of Britain_, _Broaden Your Mind_, and _Please Do Not Adjust Your Set_, and there were other comedians (e.g. Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graham Garden, Marty Feldman) trying to do it too, although rarely quite so well. What made _Python_ new and different (apart from just being a bit better and a bit further out there than the other similar stuff) was Gilliam’s cartoons. If he is just appearing in this as an actor (or is in a directorial capacity), then it is not _Monty Python_ (and it would not be even if they brought Chapman back from the dead.\*) A good thing too. It could only disappoint. Shoot, even _The Meaning of Life_ was a disappointment. \*Given that he was both almost-Jesus and King Arthur, perhaps this is not so remote a possibility as it might seem. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/16 "2012-01-28T00:40:24Z")
From the earlier article linked at the bottom: > [@Variety](#): > > Plans are for filming to begin in the U.K. this spring, with the Pythons **voicing** key roles as a a group of aliens who endow an earthling with the power to do “absolutely anything” So they may not even appear physically in the movie, which is described as “combining CGI and live action.” And of course it’s not really Monty Python unless they’re all involved in the writing, which apparently only Terry Jones has a hand in here. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/17 "2012-01-28T02:49:42Z")
I don’t expect Eric Idle & John Cleese would be working together at this point in their relationship. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/18 "2012-01-28T02:54:18Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > I don’t expect Eric Idle & John Cleese would be working together at this point in their relationship. Oh, if the paychecks were high enough, I wager they could get along for a little while. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/19 "2012-01-30T02:00:10Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > I don’t expect Eric Idle & John Cleese would be working together at this point in their relationship. Oh? They don’t get along. I don’t really keep up with the Pythons’ current status. ---
**Author:** ![smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smoke)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805/20 "2012-02-02T00:15:20Z")
What’s the be-all-and-end-all book to read for a full rundown of the Pythons? Particularly, their breakup and relationships since. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolutely-anything-the-kind-of-monty-python-movie/610805.md?page=2)