Monty Python at 50 at the BFI

The iconic, world-wide smash hit sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus will celebrate its 50th birthday on 5th October. Ahead of the landmark anniversary, the BFI presents a month-long celebration of the six-man comedy group, its influences and legacy.

At their prestigious National Film Theatre venue on London's Southbank, the BFI is packing September to the gills with screenings of film and television work associated with the Pythons - John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin - including some truly obscure and hard-to-find titles, and rare big-screen outings of certain favourites.

They explain: "The season will include all the Monty Python feature films; oddities and unseen curios from the depths of the BFI National Archive and from Michael Palin's personal collection of super 8mm films; back-to-back screenings of the entire series of Monty Python's Flying Circus in a unique big-screen outing; and screenings of post-Python TV (Fawlty Towers, Out Of The Trees, Ripping Yarns) and films (Jabberwocky, A Fish Called Wanda, Time Bandits, Wind In The Willows and more).

"There will also be rare screenings of pre-Python shows At Last The 1948 Show and Do Not Adjust Your Set, both of which will be released on BFI DVD on Monday 16 September, and a free exhibition of Python-related material from the BFI National Archive and The Monty Python Archive, and a Python takeover in the BFI Shop."

Special guests appearing on stage during the season will include Terry Gilliam, actor Carol Cleveland, actor and musician Neil Innes, Bill Jones (son of Terry Jones), editor Julian Doyle (Monty Python's Life Of Brian), Valerie Charlton (Supervising Model Maker, Time Bandits), actors Aimi Macdonald and Tim Brooke-Taylor (At Last The 1948 Show) and Monty Python's US manager, Nancy Lewis.

All tickets are now available 2-for-1 with special promo code MARKETING241. Full listings

Here are some of our favourite events...

Michael Palin & John Cleese's Pick of Python Influences

Wednesday 4th September, 6:10pm.
The Python duo curate some fine comedy shows and specials for you to enjoy: Q5, The Goon Show: Tales Of Men's Shirts, and Not Only... But Also....

Monty Python's Life Of Brian

Friday 6th September, 8:30pm
The celebrated film set against the backdrop of the birth of Christ, with a special introduction by editor Julian Doyle. Plus, the short film that accompanied its original theatrical release, Away From It All.

Do Not Adjust Your Set

Sunday 8th September, 5:40pm
Two episodes of the pre-Python children's sketch that became a cult hit with adults. Starring Denise Coffey, Eric Idle, David Jason, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. One of the episodes is newly recovered, and there'll also be a special panel discussion, ahead of a brand new special DVD collection.

The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September, from 10:30am
One for the hardcore Python nut: a unique opportunity to watch every single episode of the original Python sketch show, back-to-back, freshly restored, remastered in HD and on the big screen, over two days through six screening sessions. If you can't make it to the BFI, a Blu-ray box set will be released in early October.

Yellowbeard

Monday 16th September, 6:20pm
Starring Graham Chapman, with a cast including Cleese, Idle, Cheech & Chong, Spike Milligan, Peter Cook and Marty Feldman, this cult pirate caper has to be seen.

Jabberwocky

Tuesday 17th September, 8:40pm
Terry Gilliam's first solo directorial feature is this comic fantasy starring Michael Palin; Gilliam introduces this screening of the film.

Monty Python And The Holy Grail

Sunday 22nd September, 3pm
A chance to see the glorious feature film on the big screen, plus Q&A with the Pythons' leading lady Carol Cleveland, and a showing of the 50-minute documentary The Quest For The Holy Grail Locations, with Palin and Jones.

Pre-Python Picks

Friday 13th September, 6:10pm
A bespoke compilation of vintage clips features various Pythons in action. Look forward to a plethora of archive material, including extracts from The Complete And Utter History Of Britain, The Frost Report, Frost On Sunday, How To Irritate People, and much more.

Post-Python Picks: Fawlty Towers + Ripping Yarns + Out Of The Trees

Wednesday 25th September, 6:10pm
Episodes from two hit series from Python alumni that tickled TV viewers in the 1970s and inspired countless other shows. There's also a very rare chance to see the infamous sketch show pilot from Chapman and Douglas Adams], Out Of The Trees.

The Missionary

Wednesday 4th September, 8:45pm
This very special screening of Michael Palin's The Missionary represents the UK premiere of a brand new restoration of the 1980s' period comedy feature, following a young churchman who develops unorthodox methods when he is tasked with saving the fallen women of London.

At Last The 1948 Show

Sunday 8th September, 3pm
One of the iconic comedy hits that brought the Pythons together before they became the Pythons, this 1967 ITV sketch show has now been painstakingly restored and recreated for a new DVD collection. This screening will see two brand-newly recovered episodes, and a Q&A with co-stars Aimi Macdonald and Tim Brooke-Taylor.

A Fish Called Wanda

Sunday 15th September, 8:10pm
John Cleese's acclaimed, Oscar-winning 1988 comedy is back on the big screen for just two very special screenings as part of this month's programming. A great chance to see the celebrated film with a legion of laughing fellow fans.

Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life

Thursday 19th September 2019, 6:10pm
Can we tempt you with one more excellent movie? It's only wafer thin... Includes the accompanying short The Crimson Permanent Assurance.

It's... Monty Python at 50 ran at the BFI Southbank from 1st September to 1st October 2019.