Tag Archives: John Cleese

Monty Python’s Life of Brian Criterion 4K in April

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Cover art for the Criterion Collection release of Monty Python's Life of Brian, featuring bold lettering against a starry background with a silhouette of a ship.
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The 1979 film “Monty Python’s Life of Brian” will be released on 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray via The Criterion Collection on April 14th.

Terry Jones directed the film. It starred the Monty Python comedy troupe, which included Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin.

The movie has received a 4K digital restoration, supervised by Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10-compatible) high dynamic range, along with lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and 5.1 surround sound mixes. Tech specs for the Blu-ray version include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, as well as DTS-HD MA 2.0 and 5.1 surround sound.

The 4K release, just like the Blu-ray release, will arrive as a 2-disc set with a [bonus] Blu-ray Disc accommodating only the special features. NOTE: It does NOT include an HD version of the film on said disc; just extras.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray are now available for preorder at Amazon. Also, you can preorder directly via the Criterion Website. The bonus materials included with the releases are listed below.

  • Two audio commentaries featuring Pythons Gilliam, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin
  • The Story of Brian (2007), a making-of documentary
  • The Pythons (1979), a documentary about Monty Python filmed on location for Life of Brian
  • Behind-the-scenes Super 8 film shot by Palin
  • Five deleted scenes with commentary by the Pythons
  • Original British radio ads starring Mrs. Cleese, Mrs. Gilliam, Mrs. Idle, and Palin’s dentist
  • Original illustrated recording by the Pythons of an early version of their screenplay
  • Animated stills gallery
  • Trailer
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: An essay by film critic Bilge Ebiri
  • Cover based on an original theatrical poster by Terry Gilliam

The 1985 Western Silverado comes to 4K in October

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The 1985 Western genre film “Silverado“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook for the first time on October 7th, courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Lawrence Kasdan directed and co-wrote the film with his brother Mark Kasdan. The movie starred Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Rosanna Arquette, John Cleese, Kevin Costner, Brian Dennehy, Danny Glover, Jeff Goldblum, and Linda Hunt.

The motion picture has been restored from the original camera negative (OCN). The 4K tech specs include a 2160p video presentation in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range. The audio on the 4K will be presented in Dolby Atmos, as well as with optional lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 surround sound. The 2-disc release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included. A digital copy, presumably compatible with Movies Anywhere, will be included with this release.

UPDATED: You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook available for preorder at Amazon. The bonus materials set to be included with the release are listed below.

  • Theatrical Trailer [only on 4K]
  • Along the Silverado Trail: A Western Historian’s Commentary
  • A Return to Silverado with Kevin Costner Featurette
  • The Making of Silverado Featurette

Below, after the break, you can find the full press release announcing this upcoming release.

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Monty Python and the Holy Grail on 4K in August

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The 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail“ comes to 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook on August 26th. This release will be via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones co-directed the film. It starred the “Monty Python” comedy troupe. This included Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. It’s certainly worth noting that this film is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The tech specs for the 4K include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision or HDR10 form of HDR with Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Mono sound. This 2-disc release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included. You can find a further glimpse of the contents of the 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook below.

Limited Edition 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook

UPDATE: The 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook is now available for preorder at Amazon. The bonus material set to be included on this release is listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • Near-Theatrical Version of the Film (in HD resolution) – Experience a slightly shorter version of the film, as seen on VHS!
  • ‘Tis But A Tribute – 50 Years of Monty Python and the Holy Grail – Over 25 comedy luminaries share their memories of, affection for, and continued fascination with the film

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • Audio Commentary with Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones
  • Audio Commentary with John Cleese, Eric Idle and Michael Palin
  • 2015 Tribeca Film Festival Q&A with Terry, Terry, Mike, John and Eric!
  • Outtakes and Extended Scenes with Introduction by Terry Jones
  • Lost Animations with Introduction by Terry Gilliam
  • Quest for the Holy Grail Locations with Michael Palin and Terry Jones
  • Lego Knights: The Knights of the Round Table in LEGO
  • Special Japanese Version
  • How to Use Your Coconuts (An Educational Film)
  • BBC Film Night on Location
  • Three Songs to Sing-Along
  • Photo Gallery
  • Original Theatrical Trailer

Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life comes to 4K

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The 1983 comedy “Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on September 13th via Universal Studios Home Entertainment, according to multiple retailers.  The film, co-directed by Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam, starred the “Monty Python” British comedy troupe members Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin.

The tech specs for the release include a 2160p video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 form of high dynamic range and DTS:X immersive sound on a BD-100 disc.  The release will come in the form of a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart as well as a digital code (copy) of the film [via Movies Anywhere] included.

You cannot yet find the functional preorder for the 4K release over at Amazon but there is a listing available.  So, stay tuned to that page or keep trying the link from this post to see when it gets updated.  It’s also worth noting that you can find a functional preorder listing for the 4K available over at retailer Target.

The bonus materials set to be included with the release are listed below.

  • The Meaning of Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Reunion
  • The Snipped Bits
  • The School of Life
  • 2003 Prologue by Eric Idle
  • Show Biz
  • Soundtrack for the Lonely
  • The Meaning of Making The Meaning of Life
  • Educational Tips
  • Un Film de John Cleese
  • Remastering a Masterpiece
  • Song and Dance
  • Songs Unsung
  • Selling The Meaning of Life
  • Virtual Reunion
  • What Fish Think
  • Feature Commentary with Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam
  • Sing-Along Version of the Film

Also, you can find a 4K 2160p video extended preview of the film on YouTube that Universal posted earlier this month as a tease for the upcoming 4K UHD Blu-ray release.

2001 Jerry Zucker comedy Rat Race comes to Blu-ray in June

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The 2001 comedy “Rat Race” is coming to Blu-ray Disc on June 1st via Paramount Home Entertainment. The film, directed by Jerry Zucker, co-starred Rowan Atkinson, John Cleese, Cuba Gooding Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Seth Green, Jon Lovitz, Breckin Meyer, and Amy Smart. The tech specs for the Blu-ray have not yet been detailed, nor have bonus materials [if any are] set to be included on the release but stay tuned for an update. You can find the Blu-ray now available for preorder over at Amazon.

Monty Python’s Flying Circus Blu-ray in October

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The classic British sketch comedy TV show “Monty Python’s Flying Circus“ will be coming to Blu-ray Disc in the UK (United Kingdom) on October 7th, as revealed today. Distributor Network will be releasing this “Norwegian Blu-ray Edition“ box set, that will be Region Free and play in all countries. The 7-disc box set includes all 45 of the original TV episodes restored and presented in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio (via 1080i HD) with Mono sound. You can now find the Blu-ray box set available to pre-order over at Network‘s website, along with further details about the release (including price). The show, which ran from 1969 through 1974, was created by and starred Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin.

Right! Now, HERE you can find a video showing the newly restored video footage in comparison to the original footage. Next, right HERE you can find the final promo video for this release, comprised entirely of newly restored footage. Then, below you’ll get a glimpse at the inside contents of the box set, where you’ll notice it not only has the beautiful plumage (to be expected) but it does, in fact, explode (in a way). There’s even a snazzy book! Don’t just take my word for it though, have yourself a look.

Details about the release itself, as well as the extras and bonus materials set to be included with it are listed below.

  • 7 discs featuring all 45 episodes presented series-by-series, for the first time totally uncut and beautifully restored from original film and videotape elements.
  • Limited exploding box Norwegian Blu-ray edition
  • Each of the four series comes individually packaged with a book by Andrew Pixley (four books in total) detailing an exhaustive episode-by-episode production history.
  • Previously unseen outtakes
  • Extended scenes and sketches
  • Restored-to-full-length sketches including Ursula Hitler, Cartoon Religions, A Book At Bedtime and more.
  • Rare promo films
  • And more to be announced…

Further below, after the break, you can find some details about this video restoration process that the show has received.

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The Swan Princess 25th Anniversary Blu-ray

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The 1994 animated film “The Swan Princess“ will be coming to Blu-ray Disc in a “25th Anniversary Edition” on October 29th via Sony MOD. The film, directed by Richard Rich, featured the voice talents of Michelle Nicastro, Howard McGillin, Jack Palance, John Cleese, Steven Wright, and Sandy Duncan. Tech specs for the release include 1080p HD video in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with restored DTS-HD Master Audio sound (presumably in a 5.1 configuration). This release will only be available online because it is a Sony MOD (manufacture-on-demand) Blu-ray release. That said, you can now find the Blu-ray available for pre-order at Amazon. The bonus materials set to be included on the release are listed below.

  • An all-new featurette entitled “A Look Back, Tease Ahead,”
  • Plus a variety of additional archival features

UPDATE: This Sony MOD title is going to be available online via Best Buy. It’s now up and listed for pre-order over at the retailer. Keep in mind though, as I said, it will ONLY be available online.

Lastly, it is worth noting for fans that there will be a 4K digital version of the film available with HDR (high dynamic range) on the very same date. Further below, after the break, you can find the full announcement regarding this upcoming release.

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