Abstract The paper discusses how, even though "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" was first released in 1975, the movie remains edgy, topical, and funny even today. The paper analyzes how the film remains a cult classic, and aficionados can still recite lines from the screenplay verbatim. The paper examines numerous Web sites and reviews dedicated to the film, including unofficial scripts online, and a scientific discussion on one of the opening parts of the film, called "Estimating the Airspeed Velocity of an Unladen Swallow". The writer proposes that one of the reasons that the film has stood the test of time is the writing and the incredible talent of the cast in their delivery and ability to play off one another.
From the Paper "This film is so chock-full of sight gags, one-liners, and comedic situations it immediately became a comedy icon. From the horseless knights who follow the grail trail by clapping coconuts together, to the early debate regarding African verses European swallows, the film goes for the jugular, sometimes literally. Not for the feint of heart in some scenes, such as the famously bloody battle with the Black Knight, the film does go over the top and stay there for many segments. Perhaps the most memorable scene is the musical number "Knights of the Round Table," which includes the lyrics, "We're knights of the round table / We dance whene'er we're able / We do routines and chorus scenes / With footwork impeccable./ We dine well here in Camelot / We eat ham and jam and spam a lot" ("Monty Python")."
