Structured Analysis of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"

Questions for Analysis - "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"

1. What is the film's primary concern of focus: plot, emotional effect, character, style, or idea? Explain.

· The film's primary focus is in its emotional effect which the movie gives to the audience. In this instance, it is based upon the comical nature of the odd plot undertaken by the legendary King Arthur.

2. Is the film's basic appeal to the intellect, to the funnybone, to the moral sense, or to the aesthetic sense? Explain.

· The basic appeal of the film relies on the "funnybone." By portraying satirical and comical events oblivious to the characters who undertake such events, the movie appeals to the comedy which is produced.

3. What makes the story believable?

· The story is not believable because of its defiance to that which we assume to be true. This is seen in the example of the killer rabbit that is contradictory to the vegetation-eater with which we are accustomed.

4. Are there any symbols in the film? What do they represent?

· There are no significant symbols in this film.

5. Pick out bits of dialogue, images, or scenes that you consider especially effective in revealing character, and tell why they are effective.

· King Arthur's decision to charge the "monster" (rabbit) was an illustration of naïve leadership.

· The fact that the heroes, the knights of the round table, are riding "horses" by the beat of coconuts demonstrates their pure stupidity.

6. Why did the filmmaker choose this particular location for filming the story?

· The filmmaker chose this location because the film is British and is based on the legend of King Arthur, who is supposedly British. Therefore, the film is suppose to be filmed in Britain, where the British environment may be captured.

7. Why is the title appropriate? What does it mean in terms of the whole film?

· The title is appropriate because the plot of the movie is to find the Holy Grail. The title's inclusion of the word Holy Grail, allows the viewer to anticipate its role in the film.

8. What examples of irony can be found in the film?

· The killer rabbit.