Education Adult DVD

Monty Python’s the Meaning of Life (2-disc Collector’s Edition)

From

Tags: fdtv dvd pothead movies python gluttony film terry jones graham chapman eric idle michael palin humour hilarious british comedy satire question teleology fiction laughing all the way to hell macabre comedy tv series dvd terry gilliam humor

Average Rating

        Monty Python’s the Meaning of Life (2-disc Collector’s Edition)Perhaps only the collective brilliant minds of the Monty Python film and television troupe are up to the task of tackling a subject as weighty as the Meaning of Life. Sure, Kierkegaard, Wittgenstein, and their ilk have tried their hands at this puzzler, but only Python has attempted to do so within the commercial motion picture medium. Happily for us all, Monty Python’s the Meaning of Life truly explains everything one conceivably needs to know about the perplexities of human existence, from the mysteries of Catholic doctrine to the miracle of reproduction to why one should avoid the salmon mousse to the critical importance of the machine that goes ping! Using fish as a linking device (and what marvelous links those aquatic creatures make), The Meaning of Life is presented as a series of sketches: a musical production number about why seed is sacred; a look at dining in the afterlife; the quest for a missing fish (there they are again); a visit from Mr. Death; the cautionary tale of Mr. Creosote and his rather gluttonous appetite; an unflinching examination of the harsh realities of organ donation, and so on. Sadly, this was the last original Python film, but it’s a beaut. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry (probably because you’re laughing so hard). You may even learn something about the Meaning of Life. Or at least about how fish fit into the grand scheme of things. –Jim Emerson

        Monty Python’s the Meaning of Life (2-disc Collector’s Edition)Perhaps only the collective brilliant minds of the Monty Python film and television troupe are up to the task of tackling a subject as weighty as the Meaning of Life. Sure, Kierkegaard, Wittgenstein, and their ilk have tried their hands at this puzzler, but only Python has attempted to do so within the commercial motion picture medium. Happily for us all, Monty Python’s the Meaning of Life truly explains everything one conceivably needs to know about the perplexities of human existence, from the mysteries of Catholic doctrine to the miracle of reproduction to why one should avoid the salmon mousse to the critical importance of the machine that goes ping! Using fish as a linking device (and what marvelous links those aquatic creatures make), The Meaning of Life is presented as a series of sketches: a musical production number about why seed is sacred; a look at dining in the afterlife; the quest for a missing fish (there they are again); a visit from Mr. Death; the cautionary tale of Mr. Creosote and his rather gluttonous appetite; an unflinching examination of the harsh realities of organ donation, and so on. Sadly, this was the last original Python film, but it’s a beaut. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry (probably because you’re laughing so hard). You may even learn something about the Meaning of Life. Or at least about how fish fit into the grand scheme of things. –Jim EmersonPerhaps only the collective brilliant minds of the Monty Python film and television troupe are up to the task of tackling a subject as weighty as the Meaning of Life. Sure, Kierkegaard, Wittgenstein, and their ilk have tried their hands at this puzzler, but only Python has attempted to do so within the commercial motion picture medium. Happily for us all, Monty Python’s the Meaning of Life truly explains everything one conceivably needs to know about the perplexities of human existence, from the mysteries of Catholic doctrine to the miracle of reproduction to why one should avoid the salmon mousse to the critical importance of the machine that goes ping! Using fish as a linking device (and what marvelous links those aquatic creatures make), The Meaning of Life is presented as a series of sketches: a musical production number about why seed is sacred; a look at dining in the afterlife; the quest for a missing fish (there they are again); a visit from Mr. Death; the cautionary tale of Mr. Creosote and his rather gluttonous appetite; an unflinching examination of the harsh realities of organ donation, and so on. Sadly, this was the last original Python film, but it’s a beaut. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry (probably because you’re laughing so hard). You may even learn something about the Meaning of Life. Or at least about how fish fit into the grand scheme of things. –Jim Emerson

• amazon.com Sales Rank: #26723 in DVD
• ABIS_DVD

Special Offer Promotion
Save $10.00 when you spend $50.00 or more on Qualifying Items offered by Amazon.com. Enter code BMLSAVES at checkout.
Special Limited Time Offer from Bill Me Later! 
Enter promo code BMLSAVES at checkout to get $10 off your $50 Amazon.com purchase when you pay using Bill Me Later.

Bill Me Later is the quick and easy way to shop without your credit card.  Using Bill Me Later is easy as 1-2-3…

1.    Add items to your shopping cart.
2.    Select Bill Me Later at checkout.
3.    Answer 2 quick questions & accept the terms.

It’s that easy!  You’ll receive a bill in the mail after you’re approved.  Pay in full or over time* - the choice is yours.

Bill Me Later is subject to credit approval as determined by the lender, CIT Bank, Salt Lake City, Utah and is available to US customers who are of legal age in their state of residence.  Bill Me Later is provided by Bill Me Later, Inc. and its lender.
*Finance charges apply if paid over time.

To receive the Bill Me Later® $10 off $50 discount:
1.    Write down promo code BMLSAVES.
2.    Add $50 worth of products sold direct from Amazon.com to your shopping cart. 
3.    Select Bill Me Later as your payment method. If you have 1-Click turned on, go through standard checkout (do not click the 1-Click button). 
4.    At checkout, enter the promotional code and click the “Apply” button.  The savings will be deducted from your order total.

Avoid Common Mistakes:

• Make sure you have selected Bill Me Later as your payment method.  If you already have a saved payment method, you will need to change your payment method to Bill Me Later on the order review page or payment page.

• Make sure you have entered the correct promo code, BMLSAVES.

• Make sure you have added at least $50 worth of items sold by Amazon.com to your cart. This offer is not valid for items sold by third parties on Amazon.com 

Promotion Terms and Conditions:

• Limited to one (1) per customer account.

• Offer valid only for purchases made between October 13, 2008 and December 31, 2008.

• Offer must be redeemed through the Amazon.com shopping cart.  Does not apply to orders placed with 1-Click where Bill Me Later is not the payment method

• Offer must be redeemed at the Amazon.com Web site, http://www.amazon.com, toward the purchase of products sold by Amazon.com. If Amazon.com is not the seller, this will be noted on the product detail page.

• Offer may not be used in conjunction with the purchase of products sold by or under the brands of third parties, including, but not limited to, Amazon digital downloads, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Gift Certificates, Subscribe and Save and Prime,Target.com, or any Apparel & Accessories merchants, or sold through third-party areas. Offer cannot be redeemed at Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.co.jp, or any other Web site operated by Amazon.com, its affiliates, or third-party merchants (including Web sites linked to from the http://www.amazon.com site, such as http://www.shutterfly.com). 

• Not applicable on BOB Trailers, select Sony, Automotive items or select DTV Converter Boxes

• Taxes, gift-wrap, and shipping and handling charges do not apply toward the minimum purchase amount. 

• Offer can only be applied to one order, shipped to one address. If you are ordering items to be shipped to more than one address, a separate order will be created for each address. The promotional offer will be applied to only one of the qualifying orders.

• Offer is not for resale and is not redeemable for cash.

• Offer cannot be applied to orders already placed with Amazon.com. 

• If you return items purchased using the offer, you will not receive a refund for the amount of the offer. 

• When you redeem an offer, Amazon.com can tell that you are part of a select group of customers who received and redeemed the offer.  For more information about data that Amazon.com collects from its customers, read Amazon.com’s privacy policy posted on the Amazon.com Web site.

• Offer made by Bill Me Later, Inc. Void where prohibited.

The weakest of the Python films, but it’s hardly unfunny by Eric S. Kim
Out of all three Python films (Holy Grail, Life of Brian, Meaning of Life) this one is by far the weakest. But just because it’s not as good as the other two doesn’t mean it’s highly unfunny. There are some many great sketches here that’ll make many fall on the floor laughing. My favorite skits here are “Mr. Creosote”, “Live Organ Transplants”, “The Protestants’ View”, “Find the Fish”, “Galaxy Song”, and the prologue of the film, “The Crimson Permanent Assurance”. The Actors/Writers never cease to amaze (Graham Chapman with his straight-faced attitude, John Cleese with his authoritarian madness, Eric Idle with his verbal wit, Terry Jones with his shrieking pepperpot impersonation, and Michael Palin with his diverse acting abilities; and let’s not forget Terry Gilliam for his imaginative animations).

The only flaw I can find here is the DVD transfer. I have to turn up the volume very high so I can watch the movie, and the screen quality is just above average. With that flaw aside, “Meaning of Life” is yet another classic from the Python team.

A-

Decent transfer for a 25 year old movie by William
Don’t expect this to be your refrence HD material. While in my opinion this is the best of the Monty Python movies, none of the movies were visually stunning. That does not mean that this got a bad transfer, quite the opposite, but if you are looking for something to impress your friends about your expensive HD set, this is not the disc.

If you are a film purist, you will be happy to know that you can still see the film grain in the picture in places. Colors seem to be natual, and may be a disappointment for those of you who are used to more vibrant things in your HD. Washed out comes to my mind, but that is really more of the style of the film, and not a problem with the transfer. In fact, the animated scenes are quite vivid and brilliant, so while not breathtaking, I will say that the transfer is faithful to the original source.

There is no high-res audio track, but do not let that disappoint you. The Monty Python movies were not known for having the subwoofer pounding, full surround emersion experience, and the Dolby Digital Plus soundtrack faithfully represents the movies soundtrack without giving up anything.

Bonus features seem to mirror previous DVD releases, and nothing special is really added.

If you are a fan of this movie, this is probably as good of an HD transfer as you will ever get, and I would highly recommend it. If you are not a Monty Python fan, pass over this one.

The meaning of life: Only from Monty Python by Dan Volt
I think, this is the best of the films by the British comedy troupe Monty Python. The quality is superb, and the DVD is filled with extras that are outstanding and comical. The interviews are memorable with the Monty Python cast and crew. The commentary by Jones and Gilliam is very astute.
If you are a fan of Monty Python like me, you owe it to yourself to get this HD DVD. Definitely a must have!

The Meaning of Laughter by Jupiter Moon Twilight
It’s Monty Python at their best. Very funny lengthy sketches and musical numbers that have you rolling on the floor. Absolutely hysterical. They show silly, yet intelligent humor that is sure to be appreciated by their audiences.

Get it and you will want to own all of the Monty Python’s movies… but that’s a good thing.

They couldn’t make it today! by Ian Weddell
An absolutely brilliant film, get the collector’s edition and laugh like you’ve never laughed before!

If you’ve seen the film before you know it is irreverent, hilarious, controversial, and involves the best pre-main feature feature you’ll ever see in any DVD!

If you lived in London during the early eighties you will reminisce whimsically as the cast film on location across the city.

If you’ve never seen the film before you’ll wonder how they ever got it made, and ask yourself “Why oh why can’t I get more comedies like this and less like “.

Trust me, you’ve never met me but you must see this film….

• Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Special Edition)
• Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas [HD DVD]
• The Monty Python Box Set (Monty Python & The Holy Grail/ And Now For Something Completly Different/ The Adventures of Baron Munchausen)
• History of the World Part I
• Monty Python’s Life Of Brian - The Immaculate Edition