Monty Python's Flying Circus

Audio: Terry Gilliam, the man behind Python's animation

Terry Gilliam, who was the man behind the animations in Monty Python - the giant feet and open heads - recalls his Flying Circus days which began in October 1969 when the programme first aired.

A Peek at Python

Describing Monty Python in one article is like summarising Shakespeare in a media-friendly soundbite, or spending three days in the lap of the gods then writing a letter about it to the Reader's Digest.

'Monty Python' casual games in the works

Featuring contributions from the Pythons themselves, the first game in the series will be released via Facebook as well as appearing elsewhere on the web.

Video: Monty Python team caught on early home video

In the early days of Monty Python's Flying Circus, the team had no idea how big the show would become, so Terry Jones wanted to capture the moment on film.

He tells Kirsty Wark he was keen to find out just what the camera could do, an early indication of his eventual role directing the Monty Python films.

This and many other home videos will be featured in the Great British Home Movie Roadshow which begins on Friday 6 August at 2100 BST on BBC Two.

It's not surprising that Monty Python faced the axe

The comedy series was not alone in being at the whim of frightened TV executives, says David Quantick.

How Monty Python was formed

Terry Jones recounts the absurdist playwrights who shaped unique Monty Python humour.

BBC nearly killed off Monty Python, says Terry Jones

Monty Python was nearly killed off by BBC executives who feared it would never make money, according to Terry Jones.

Why Eric Idle is happy to revisit his Python past

At the height of Monty Python's Flying Circus, Eric Idle made a promise to himself. When the performers went their separate ways in 1983, and when the Ministry of Silly Walks had been closed for good, he would in the spirit of the show prepare to do something completely different. As it turned out, things didn't quite work out that way.

Michael Palin: I'm very proud of fish-slapping dance

Michael Palin, 67, is best known for being part of the Monty Python comedy team and for travel documentaries.

Gateways To Geekery: Monty Python

Monty Python's Flying Circus ran four series, for a total of 45 episodes. None of these are outright horrid, but the quality varies, especially in the latter half, when the writing loses steam and some sketches of questionable humor get stretched longer than necessary. The movies range from passable to excellent.