Monty Python's Michael Palin watches rare footage he hasn't seen for decades

[@Brian-uy2tj]

There isn't an award big enough or prestigious enough to honor what the cast of Monty Python gave to the world.

[@jorgefiguerola1239]

Couldn't have said it better myself. Well, maybe I could, but better someone else say so. Blowing one's horn, so to speak, is, as one might say, bad form. Applause to MPFC for all they created for the world, to be enjoyed over and over. Comedy, insightful and so often brash.

[@MomentsGap]

True, I was thinking, they should be regarded as greater than the beatles, since music taste changes, their wit has proven to endure

[@robosock380]

@@jorgefiguerola1239 Blow your own horn. Bloody Luxury, back in my day we couldn't afford horns. Had to go around blowing other people's horns.

[@QuarrellaDeVil]

It would have to be a huge, dead parrot, nailed to its perch.

[@dlxmarks]

4:12 Helen, Michael's wife, passed away in May 2023 from kidney disease. They had been married for 57 years.

[@LucySharkeyart]

And together for even longer than that. They met when he was 15 and she was 16. Poor bloke x

[@dlxmarks]

@@LucySharkeyart Yeah, the timestamp shows _East of Ispwich_ and the dramatization of them meeting as teens.

[@nefwaenre]

My heart sank when he talked about the Fish shot being the last day that the Pythons worked together. :'( Also, Terry Gilliam's taleent was way ahead of his time!! Awesome!!

[@onevastanus]

No, it wasn't.

[@sgoalder]

Yes it was 😉

[@unclejoeoakland]

I read a book that suggested Terry Gilliams animation was influenced by Ernie Kovacs stream of consciousness style, and that it helped to establish the surrealist flavor and attitude of MPFC. And of course in its own right, it's magnificent and playful and inventive.

[@kukalakana]

Not anymore it ain't. (Although I suppose it might have been the last time for them as a genuine sextet, so to speak.)

[@prettyshinyspaghetti8332]

The last time was 1989. There is a piece of film at the end of a 20th anniversary special of Monty Python where the 6 are shown very briefly

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

Bird's Lament to start. Cool. Michael Palin would never admit it, but he and his five friends changed the world for the better, and drove back the darkness. Fellow Python fans will know what I mean.

[@onevastanus]

They certainly helped put the ridiculous Christian myth to bed, but whether that has helped the world may take time to be decided.

[@waynej2608]

Indeed.

[@arthurpewtey]

@@fscarp Blessed are the cheesemakers.

[@wyliecox2010]

Exactly. The Pythons made the world a better place.

[@DarrellLancaster-l5q]

Very much so. Even 5 years later

[@Lucifronz]

I see the members of Monty Python in their old work so much that I honestly keep forgetting how old they've gotten, how much time has passed. It's kind of surreal.

[@charlie-obrien]

They are timeless. I can still recall seeing them for the first time in Canadian TV in the early 70's I must say though that I am a little miffed at Chapman and Jones for taking so much time off lately. Let's get the next series started already, shall we?

[@count69]

"What are you doing in the archive, you're far too young." Comedy genius!

[@brails101]

count69 a spontaneous ad lib between them. Such instinctive comic skill

[@onevastanus]

No, it isn't.

[@Stantheman848]

yawn

[@charlie-obrien]

​@@onevastanus 'tis

[@i.george2321]

'im still with the girl'. that instantly warmed my heart

[@onevastanus]

No, he isn't.

[@royrowland5763]

@Laurie Smith Rob Duckerberg just came here for an argument.

[@marcuscross8051]

@@royrowland5763 No he didn't, he came here for an ARGUMENT

[@mrfr0st7]

@@onevastanus That's not an argument it's just a contradiction.

[@BoBo0807]

@@mrfr0st7 No it isn't.

[@vetken]

Michael's impression of George Harrison..."good evening"...CLASSIC!

[@onevastanus]

It's John Lennon. I told you already.

[@waynej2608]

That was freaking amazing! It was a spot on George. Or, Stig O'Hara. 😎

[@charlie-obrien]

​@@onevastanus No, it isn't

[@grubbs517]

Who else is absorbing all things Python-related after the passing of Terry Jones?

[@johnsinclair1447]

Me too. Can't stop watching....

[@MrGoogster]

I had gone on a binge about 6 months ago-the Flying Circus, Grail & Brian-and I was amazed: How is it possible they’ve actually gotten BETTER? Now they just show up on my feed and I follow along. RIP Terry Jones, you brilliant man.

[@forestsoceansmusic]

His passing didn't affect me (there's always some great entertainer from our youth dying). I've always clicked on Python vids as they come up from time to time. Less and less now, because I've seen so many of them so many times.

[@iamironclaw]

Not me, there's nothing left to absorb. I've seen it all already. I'm a huge fan. Sure, I do re-see some favorites here and there every now and then.

[@forestsoceansmusic]

@@iamironclaw Same here.

[@looqischmidt5581]

I love Palins work. He is so much down to Earth and genuine.

[@carolinenagel7085]

I have a feeling he is about the nicest man in the world.

[@brianarbenz7206]

I thought for sure he'd walk in and say, "Hello, I'd like to have an argument."

[@onevastanus]

No, you didn't.

[@Craggle88]

@@onevastanus yes he did

[@samarvora7185]

@@Craggle88 No, he didn't.

[@brianarbenz7206]

This isn't an argument!

[@borjanjordanoski2217]

@@brianarbenz7206 yes it is

[@Hiznogood]

For everyone who wonders about the saxophone music played in the begging of this video: the song is called “Bird’s Lament” and is made and performed by Moondog, aka Lois Thomas Hardin, a blind American composers. I always gets shivers down my spine when I hear it!

[@sandytrunks]

BLESS you @Hiznogood! 24 seconds into this video I paused it and immediately searched the comments for the word "music" hoping for a post like yours... and voila! You're my hero. 🏆

[@Hiznogood]

@@sandytrunks Why thank you! I had to look it up myself as I had heard that song before and it’s so powerful. I didn’t have a clue about the artist and his incredible story! Great to be at service and have a wonderful day!

[@losttango]

Thanks. Yes Moondog was great. One of his songs was on the “Big Lebowski” soundtrack also...

[@v-town1980]

Palin seems so down-to-Earth, I'd so love to meet him. And that tiny bit of Neu! music at 01:26 was nice to hear.

[@roberth.5938]

Neue Musik, oder?

[@sen5i]

Yes, Neu did it for me too

[@matthewstetson1840]

Michael Palin spoke at the Philadelphia Free Library circa 2007 and he was very entertaining. Not side-splittingly funny but very, very enjoyable. There was a communication between speaker and audience although he didn't take questions. Cleese's yawning at Michael's travel programs used to bother me but they spent a career sending up people so why not self-deprecating humour? So sad about Terry Jones who did fine work over his lifetime and hopefully he can still enjoy the memories. The film including Michael's romance of a lifetime looks quite charming. Cheers.

[@bobsheehan6647]

I was there with my children, aged from 10 to 13, and all of them massive Python fans. Mr. Palin was so gracious, going so far as to sign my daughter's cast. Great night, great memories, classic individual.

[@WorldsWorstBoy]

Palin is the man...

[@onevastanus]

No, he isn't.

[@WorldsWorstBoy]

Rob Duckerberg Fuck off

[@onevastanus]

How should I fuck off, oh Lord?

[@WorldsWorstBoy]

Rob Duckerberg Oh wow... I'm really sorry -_- My little cousin wrote that. He's an asshole.... I give him the tablet to shut em up for abit sometimes.

[@onevastanus]

:-)

[@LittleB2007]

This reminded me of how I loved Michael Palin and Kevin Kline in "A Fish Called Wanda" when it first came out. A quick google search told me the movie is already 30 years old. No wonder I feel old... XD

[@onevastanus]

You feel old because you are old.

[@kukalakana]

I was honestly hoping that Fierce Creatures would be a sequel.

[@v-town1980]

@Rob, and you're still a virgin; now let's all have cake :D

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

Out of all the pythons, Michael is the most human and the fact he’s the only one still faithful to his wife is beyond precious. He’s earned my respect.

[@magicmike6961]

he's a complete dick head. and so are you

[@stephen300o6]

That was his goal I guess..

[@supertramp78]

Graham Chapman stayed with his partner David Sherlock from 1966 until Chapman's death in 1989.

[@stephanberger3476]

Being faithful and being human aren't that similar. But Palin is a great guy, agreed.

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

What a silly way to judge people. Marriages break up for a myriad of reasons

[@kiwibob223]

He's looking back on our shared history and memories. He must know how deeply they affect us at the same time as they ARE his past. Must be a strange feeling.

[@rogerwolstenholme2710]

4min 37sec of pure stress relief... loved it.

[@shawnfella]

I can't imagine growing up without Python.

[@faint.static]

First background track is Moondog - Lament I (Bird's Lament), as sampled by Mr Scruff for Get a Move On 🙂

[@keithf_]

I can actually remember, at about the age of 11, watching 'Do Not Adjust Your Set' back in the late 1960s. Great memories !

[@forestsoceansmusic]

First one in my created playlist that I really like. Well done brails101.

[@brails101]

Thank you, that's very kind.

[@forestsoceansmusic]

@@brails101 Not kind, you earned it.

[@johndean4998]

One of my favourite human beings in the whole world.

[@Wickerwoman-lh3vn]

Love

[@davidlincolnbrooks]

I got to talk with Gyles Brandreth once on LBC London radio.

[@mrcydonia]

The Blu-rays of Monty Python's Flying Circus are amazing.

[@BrianKishreviews]

i'm gonna be that guy, but the overdubbed harrison line is actually "hello"

[@piggyroo100]

Brian Kish or "hullo"

[@onevastanus]

It's the drummer.

[@markbailey1970]

Two of my favourite people - excellent stuff

[@ogretattoo]

The Christmas card bit had me freaking rolling!! Watching the wise men go back and forth, the pretty bird being shot, hahahahahahaha!!

[@gaskellr44]

anarchic and silly...it's all about being anti-establishment, in idea but not in action.

[@rbus]

Gosh, I hope they've started a process of digitizing all this old stuff since data storage is cheap, compression would fit all this stuff in a small box in a closet. Look at the tragic 2008 Universal Studios fire that wiped out thousands of original masters, unreleased music by long-gone legends, outtakes and improvs that will never be heard.

[@mikedonovan8811]

They should put 'Do Not Adjust Your Christmas Stocking' on The Life of Brian DVD.

[@onevastanus]

They already did. I already told you.

[@waccasali]

I hope they digitize the whole archive to save it for the future generations.

[@adammwalch]

God bless Michael Palin

[@Sulkanator]

Why on earth would anyone thumb this down? If you don't like Palin or Python piss off.

[@CynthiaLK]

Would somebody please tell me what the music at the beginning is? I know I've heard it, but the name escapes me. Thank you. 🙂

[@dsmj7389]

UK gave the world great music and great comedy.

[@Yngvarfo]

I wish I could see more "Do Not Adjust Your Set." I have one DVD box, but bits and pieces are missing, and the cover mistakenly gives the impression that there are Terry Gilliam animations on it, which there aren't. Not in any of the included episodes.

[@onevastanus]

No, you don't.

[@Yngvarfo]

This isn't an argument. It's just contradiction.

[@charlie-obrien]

Oh, I'm sorry, is this a five minute argument or the full half hour?

[@Yngvarfo]

​@@charlie-obrien- Apparently, it's a five *year* argument, so that's £2 million, please. If you want to keep on arguing for another year we can give you a half a million discount.

[@Joe1935429]

Well, if nothing else, they do seem to be putting a lot of things on top of other things

[@dmontes133]

This is amazing! ❤️

[@mrcydonia]

I hope they're making hi-def digital back ups of this stuff.

[@Ingens_Scherz]

Beautiful; so bright!

[@Doggeslife]

After the fire at Universal studios, I hope this building and contents are well protected.

[@MartinManscher]

Was the father driving the car John Nettleton, who played Sir Arnold in Yes Minister?

[@blahblahblah2699]

I love east of Ipswich, such a funny classic❤

[@alexmarshall4331]

Love the soundtrack... NEU!!!

[@Argi1000]

I actually felt proud of myself that I've recognized lament in the beggining of the video

[@SP-ny1fk]

It'd be great if the vault's contents were digitised and made publicly accessible

[@gerardmccavana4905]

Great clip

[@jameshudson169]

ipswitch?! i've always DREAMED of seeing ipswitch! isn't there a trainstation there or something?

[@jb888888888]

Fun fact, "Ipswitch" is the palindrome of "Bolton."

[@billhutchison7078]

Python is, and will always be , the leaders and never will have anything to anything to and will always be the standard.

[@joemedley195]

BBC needs to release a pre-Python Python DVD or two.

[@christineharrelson4831]

Do I hear Moondog playing?! Freaking awesome!

[@v-town1980]

And a little Neu! @ 01:26.

[@tsarbomba1]

Holy shit that's a lot of 1" and 2" tape.

[@stephenwright8824]

This was too short.

[@brails101]

I wish I could have made it longer, I really do

[@RonPiggott]

Three Cheers to "Dad's Army" !

[@BradiKal61]

My favorite Python

[@MPresheva]

They still have the quadruplex machines !

[@andyhinds542]

Michael Palin is the only Python member I'd love to meet and chat to. Eric Idle's work is hilarious but I have suspicions that he'd be very standoffish if you're not a superstar. John Cleese might be interesting these days, who knows.

[@cesarmadero05]

Obsession with History: I love Cardinal Richelieu. lmao

[@Panlinda]

Cardinal Richelieu is also my favorite 😂😂❤

[@BigDuke6ixx]

I was so sorry to hear about the passing Michael's wife Helen.

[@stevedotwood]

my favorite python - always was

[@MrKaywyn]

Please show me more of this.

[@brails101]

MrKaywyn sadly this is all their is

[@MrKaywyn]

That is sad.

[@electricdumpling6069]

Really hope BBC had done a better job to preserve its legacy.

[@Nelson_Win]

I'm not gonna lie Michael Palin is the most handsome Python ever.

[@ploppyploppy]

I especially like the fact that we weren't bored with any of the actual material from the 60s. It was much more fun to watch Gyles.

[@tyronewhitehead3123]

Terry your missed I’ve will be watching life of Brian fab film

[@thefrankonion]

Music at 1:13 is Neu!

[@joemedley195]

Is it just me, or does the narrator sound like Stevie Griffith?

[@richardhedderly]

Joe Medley Giles Brandreth (the narrator) is a national treasure and his voice does sound royal. Friend of Prince Charles no less. His voice also sounds like the late actor Derek Nimmo.

[@lefunk22]

Where's the rest of this doco? And what is the doco called? Thanks.

[@brails101]

Toby Richmond this is the entire piece. I would have loved the opportunity to make a longer documentary

[@onevastanus]

I told you already.

[@aaronchapman5094]

This is from the BBC One Show, that Gyles Brandreth does some regular segments for.

[@tomitstube]

love python, but this archive makes me think of all the "not only... but also" episodes the bbc destroyed or let vanish. criminal.

[@lpsp442]

I would kill for copies of those fish photographs

[@exicunowlibra4238]

love it

[@jb888888888]

"The archives were actually started by my grandfather..."

[@johnleach7879]

It is so sad to see Mr. Palin age, as we do Anyhow, I do hope that "The Ladykillers", etc., will be upon us shortly. We need another Sir Alec, measuring his cucumber, to bolster the rest of us in this time of trial. Call it a little blitz. Affectionately, JL // PS: The photography is outstanding.

[@jenniferkonstant5920]

He's aged very well, though!

[@AnkeB82]

To be fair Michael has aged remarkably well, he still keeps this youngish nature about him.

[@BigDuke6ixx]

East of Ipswich is brilliant.

[@onevastanus]

No, it isn't.

[@BigDuke6ixx]

😝

[@ricarleite]

Heeey. it's Bird's Lament by Moondog...

[@CSavageSr]

Michael Palin is a handsome man.

[@BillPeschel]

And God bless the BBC which ordered the wiping of thousands of hours of shows so they could reuse the videotape.

[@jammer3618]

Sadly Palin lost his wife recently. She died of Kidney failure i believe.

[@aaeonkarma3717]

"... Anything worth watching in there?"

[@rothr]

Waiting for Rob Duckerberg to chime in...

[@royfearn4345]

I assume that's irony?!!

[@simontaylor2319]

holds nearly a million films & shows....what's this stuff doing in storage, why can't we see them for crying out loud instead of all this endless dreary repeats we're subjected to

[@Hardrada00]

Nice use of Moondogs music.

[@gennettor8915]

If only this lasted an hour...

[@SuperTreemendus]

That walker!!

[@SuperTreemendus]

Wanker!

[@jan-olofharnvall8760]

That is the true treasure of the British.

[@BeezerWashingbeard]

What, is this the most English TV program ever?

[@lukessummerguitar]

Dad's Army.

[@onevastanus]

No, they aren't.

[@ianporter3259]

Sebastian Lund Nielsen the

[@okitasan]

The archivist looks likes a Wallace and Gromit character lol

[@Chrisbajs]

Starts at 2:39

[@brinsonharris9816]

Look, let me go back in there and face the peril.

[@Kkidzz]

1:26 La Dusseldorf ;)

[@Kris.G]

George Harrison as Otto! Blimey!

[@onevastanus]

No, it isn't.

[@Kris.G]

@@onevastanus what the fuck is wrong with you? 2:17

[@pressureworks]

Not rare footage at all. Released on DVD.

[@thomashealey291]

Gyles Brandreth was friends with Jimmy Savile hence why he`s in full time media work

[@dominicaustin6016]

best python

[@batchint]

I'm awaiting GBH to come to blu ray let alone all that dust

[@micha0001]

Let´s hope, they digitize this stuff soon. Magnetic tape fades, as even NASA had seen.

[@rhettsycoplando4064]

Bbc did their best to delete comedy from film history. Criminals. Thank God for places like this.

[@coentertainer]

video starts at 2:00

[@PradyumnaNadig]

Sir Arnold Robinson!