MPFC 50th Anniversary Restoration: Terry G watches the restored animation for the first time

On 4 November 2019, Network Distributing will be releasing the limited edition boxset of all 45 episodes of “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” lovingly restored in glorious high definition.
Terry Gilliam went to view some of his fully 'bruced up' animations for the first time, meeting with Network's restoration colourist Jonathan Wood, and we were there to capture his reaction.
Featured sketches include Series One opening titles, the pram eating animation from Sex and Violence, animations from Whither Canada, part of the "New Cooker Sketch" from Face the Press, and the "Prince and the Black Spot" animation from Its a Living.
Pre-order your limited edition box set here: tinyurl.com/y5ahzv3h

[@krycklund]

The way Terry says ''It looks like what i did!'' is amazing. Imagine living your entire life seeing your work presented on grainy archive footage and finally getting to actually see it how you originally made it.

[@Schmidtelpunkt]

Yes, but also he made the things to be compatible to that loss of quality. It is an old question of where the art begins and the medium ends as creating art also means using the properties of the medium. Not everything which did disappear was supposed to be seen in the first place. Of course it also was never meant to be watched in HD, so either way it would have been a compromise and I am glad they took the more complicated option.

[@Schmidtelpunkt]

@@cactusjackNV One puts more work into the parts seen than in parts one would wish people could see but most likely won't. For example Gilliam avoided fine patterns. Had he wanted to make things work on film in complete ignorance of the technical limits of video, we would have seen moire effects. We did not. So what is more likely - that this is pure coincidence because he dislikes regular patterns or that he simply knew they would not work when transferred to video and simply avoided them? Every artist works with the material. That is part of the job. The material was video. That should not take anything away from the improvements he had limited control over and could not calculate with in the first place, like colour changes and all kinds of random production artifacts. So there is no reason why he would not be happy about those.

[@magnificentfailure2390]

My lifelong obsession with Python has literally saved me. I never ignore spots and I have lived through 70 bouts with cancer, Thank you, BBC.

[@Mucving]

"Mr. Gilliam seems to be quite interested in photography, ay?" he asked them knowingly.

[@katg9507]

Tom SK Nudge nudge wink wink

[@robertscott2210]

Say no more.

[@R.M.MacFru]

Is he a go-er?

[@whenthemusicsover6028]

Candid photography.

[@Coolestmovies]

What’s it like?

[@Haldane1585]

50 years! I can’t believe how long it’s been since I was -36!

[@MissezPremiseHello]

I was thinking the exact same thing!

[@tyro244]

Next tim do a restoration of Terry Gilliam, himself. I think he appreciate that even more.

[@Ayden_B]

Y’all. The Blu-ray set is called the “Norwegian Blu-Ray edition”

[@MrUndersolo]

Beautiful plumage!

[@Ayden_B]

K August The plumage doesn’t enter into it. It’s stone dead.

[@ThreadBomb]

@@Ayden_B If the DVD set is called the “Norwegian Blu-Ray edition”, then what's the blu-ray set called?

[@JanPBtest]

See the løveli lakes.

[@DenkyManner]

Love that they ended with that clip. Python never pulls its punches

[@AngusArtEntertainment]

Even more so, it's the original line, not replacing "cancer" with Cleese's "gangrene."

[@Ratelzwatel]

@@AngusArtEntertainment But then, will the "gangrene" version be included as well?

[@AngusArtEntertainment]

@@Ratelzwatel Hopefully not. I would prefer if it was all original audio.

[@Ratelzwatel]

@@AngusArtEntertainment If the "gangrene" really is said by Cleese, then that's also part of Python. So, in that case, I hope both versions will be included.

[@AngusArtEntertainment]

@@Ratelzwatel Well, now I'm not so sure. It sounded like Cleese, yes, but elsewhere in the comments, another states that it was probably someone at PBS replacing the original word. Perhaps they might have the original dialogue in the Summarizing Proust sketch, too. There's a small bit of editing at one point. Have fun spotting it.

[@MagravatorMag]

It wasn't crap to begin with but that's fantastic. I always looked forward to Terry's "cartoons". There was always something unexpected and I couldn't wait to see what it was. Thanks Terry Guilliam!!!

[@michaellaverty7349]

Damn that's a good looking remaster.

[@mrcydonia]

The Blu-Rays are absolutely amazing.

[@johnalang]

Hats off to the restoration team. They went above and beyond the call of duty

[@timepoet77]

Terry’s animations never looked better. They’re the reason I got into drawing.

[@NJ-wb1cz]

Seriously? I thought they were supposed to look choppy and grotesque and crappy. Is it half of the charm of Monty Python - how imperfect everything was?

[@mspysu79]

It's amazing what 50 years of advancement in telecine technology can do (with continuous feed transfers, 4k sensor and programs like Digital ICE). Plus the fact that for the videotape we are going back to the original transmission copy and can now adjust for what was not set up quite right in the studio. Also for those of us in the states, we don't need to see those horrible 1970's PAL to NTSC conversions anymore.

[@Wolvenworks]

whoa....it's like having glasses after a life of seeing blur. it's like i can see HD all over again

[@AngusArtEntertainment]

I can relate to that. Had to get stronger glasses this past March.

[@Wolvenworks]

@@AngusArtEntertainment i had lens implants in my eye because having to make and carry around minus 7 glasses spares is super tedious...so i relate to the feel in a whole new level. it's like "whoa i don't have to use glasses anymore". then it transitioned to "HOLY SHIT I CAN USE SUNGLASSES NOW?"

[@R.M.MacFru]

@@AngusArtEntertainment ... I settled for getting a larger television. 😋

[@Patrick96322]

This shall live forever !!!

[@spockboy]

I fantasized about them doing this for years and now they've done it! It truly deserves to be restored and preserved.

[@Yngvarfo]

Don't forget the digitally enhanced scenes where there are now 48 Pythons, the Gumby Rock concert, and Graham Chapman kills John Cleese with his banana.

[@amojak]

Banana is such a tinny word!

[@SuperWolsey]

@@amojak EWWW!!! EWWWWW!!!! 😩😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@viningscircle]

Never tire of these masterpieces of off-the-wall comedy. Now cleaner and madder than ever!

[@paulonumberone]

Ordered for me as a birthday gift. I can't say how much I'm looking forward to this.

[@dvd11811]

The guy who did the restoration sounds like Brian Cox which is very cool ... loved Gilliam's reactions ...

[@NeilBarrettSLT]

They've matched the tone of the video from the studio so well with the exterior film, that I'm worried it's going to ruin the 'we're surrounded by film' joke. Maybe they dialed it back for that one!

[@davidjames579]

Hardly. It's still very obvious.

[@TheHutt]

You restored the "Cancer" bit! Great!

[@pec2pec]

I know it's strange, but I kinda miss having the word GANGRENE looped in so badly - it was comedic in its own bizarre way.

[@andyp1986]

Already ordered my box set. Can't wait! What a perfect bit of hype-building this is! The restoration work is genuinely impressive, and Gilliam's reactions here are everything!

[@BedroomScenesMovie]

This is absolutely amazing. Thank you for all the hard work!

[@SpaceCattttt]

Jesus Christ! It looks better than it ever has! Probably 50 times better than when it was originally broadcast. Well done!

[@Sylveryse]

This does look fantastic! Can't wait to get my hands on it.

[@raspberrymojitogirldec]

So amazingly done

[@NesconProductions]

Monty Python Flying Circus was a British national treasure and fully deserves such a restoration. Remember watching reruns during the 70's on a color set that was probably the equivalent to 144 dpi. Looks the new set looks fantastic and will be great to see what they have done to the entire series!

[@Phaota]

That cleaned up scene of the technicians lined up outside was amazing. If the rest of the shows, as well as the animation, looks as beautiful as that, I look forward to owning this new set.

[@nichttuntun3364]

Thank you for that awesome remaster. Even on KZbin the color grading and level of photographic fine detail look fantastic. I can imagine how much work and passion flew into that project. My boxset arrives tomorrow and I hope that the transfers where done using high bitrates and no digital sharpness filters were used so we can see all the original glory of 16mm material and natural looking film grain. I am excited like a little child. Christmas is a bit earlier this year. We live in great times these days. First the incredibly amazing new transfer of Jabberwocky by Criterion and now that... I only wish there will be a new transfer from the original negative material for The Meaning Of Life. Universal botched the bluray completely. Absolutely unwatchable. Edge enhancement of terror and digital look overall. Couldn't believe what I saw and couldn't go on watching the movie. Criterion...please please please :)

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

Terry’s animations will never stop inspiring me. They are genius.

[@AngusArtEntertainment]

Happy 50th anniversary!

[@MrUndersolo]

Well done! The clips look amazing!

[@mgabrysSF]

Nicely done! It's about time too because kids are indeed forgetting about this.

[@Certifiable]

Oh each generation gets Python. It will outlive ALL the Pythons!

[@NeonWabbit]

Always good to see the VT clock.

[@topazzsky]

I love the transformation. Much brighter and more colorful! Terry's friend... isn't he the taxi driver on Bridget Jones that helped her with her dress choices? LOL. I'm good with faces.

[@agilblom]

Wonderful. I can’t wait for the 4th...

[@MartyOGorman]

The moment at 5.00 in this video is worth the price of the box set alone. Well done everyone involved, I can't wait for this to arrive!

[@NJ-wb1cz]

But you just watched it for free. No need to buy anything :)

[@allenhuffman]

First the Monkees Blu-ray set, and now this? We do live in wonderful times.

[@Fcutdlady]

The quality of the restored footage is impressive . Viva monty python. May you ever say ni

[@tastysandwhich]

I am so happy he got to see this.

[@thomass.9042]

Can't wait to get my preordered limited Box! Greetings from Germany! ♥️😍

[@DavidStill]

You restored the original cancer joke in that last animation! Fantastic!

[@Axess-sv8nq]

Wow! So clear!!

[@Apoll022]

Was a pleasure to meet him on saterday!

[@ForceMaximus84]

I can’t wait to get this set!

[@DarkPuIse]

Saw this and just had to go and buy it. If it's as uncut and cleaned-up as they say it is, this may well be the definitive version of the series. Either way, it's worth the money.

[@ritz2467]

FYI, most of the original episode tapes were wiped out by the BBC and the Pythons themselves saved copies of it. Hence, restoring episodes were a difficult task. It shows on the quality of restored episodes.

[@dunebasher1971]

FWIW, the BBC did *not* wipe the tapes. That's a myth that's grown out of a misunderstanding of what actually happened. The Pythons suspected the tapes would be recycled, which was standard practice at the time, so Terry Jones arranged for low-band Philips N1500 dubs to be made. However, the series was sold to PBS in the States and they wanted VT copies, not film recordings, so the master tapes were saved from being recycled.

[@rockerseven]

Wow, that's really impressive! I do like on my dvd set though how it says (along the lines of) "now you can experience all the pops, hisses, and crackles with crystal clarity!" Lol

[@PapiElric]

Happy birthday from France.

[@Augmuse]

Great job Terry. I love it!!!

[@ff_user]

WHAT... is your name? WHAT... is your quest? WHAT... is the capital of Assyria? 💀

[@twicethemegapower3995]

Right, silly little bleeder. One rabbit stew coming right up!

[@amojak]

@@twicethemegapower3995 I told you!!

[@virginiaconnor8350]

OMG! My younger brother introduced me to MPFC" and I led him to "The Prisoner". I still loved that 3-sided album. I guess it wasn't necessarily to make a 3-sided CD out of "Matching Tie and Handkerchief" (I believe it was). We still crack up over their antics and I have a bishop in Kent who does too. I should have sent him a book entitled "Cut Out the Naughty Parts".

[@jordanrowland6269]

These Blu-ray s could be going on lots of people’s Christmas lists, mine included!

[@ghosthead84]

Book marking this for my next payday.

[@amojak]

Was this restored by... Monty python footage repair man!

[@IlikeSpicyNoodles]

Take My Money, Now.

[@jasonw3414]

theyve already taken mine! i put in an order as soon as i could

[@jamesbyersmusic]

I love this!

[@andyleclerc3600]

Got my set last week. So much great stuff, the penguin on my TV exploded, before it could lay an egg...

[@LukeAllen23]

4:50 Oh thank the heavenly Brian - UNCENSORED!!! Since I reside in the US, I'll wait for its availability in the Amazon Global Store.

[@DaHotmailer]

I really hope that the two German episodes of Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus also are completely restored and included with this set. Yeah, I know that these officially are not part of the BBC series, but it is still part of the whole Python series history. Anyway, just pre-ordered the box-set. Can't wait to watch the episodes again!

[@BedroomScenesMovie]

Not included, I don't think.

[@The-One-And-Only-Wendy]

Aww, that was magic!

[@jonathanramey6369]

Looks Awesome!!! Sign me up!

[@crimesforkibble6912]

The 50th anniversary restoration set is fantastic for those wondering

[@silenthunteruk]

The film/videotape outside/inside distinction (which actually forms the basis of a whole sketch in "Live from the Grillomat") is a very common thing in British programmes of this period, especially 'Doctor Who'. Fans of that show have become very good at spotting it.

[@dunebasher1971]

In fairness, it's very very obvious :)

[@fffUUUUUU]

Amazing

[@ericn.wilson2345]

Reading the goodies list on the Network set, I'd like to see the edit spotting guy(s) at SOTCAA come back for one more round, since this is the type of release he was (they were?) dreaming about back in 2004.

[@seancollett6]

You mean I have to buy the collection again!

[@theasiandoc]

Tesla's "Patsy" Easter Egg brought me here. Subscribed!

[@SurlyInsomniac]

This is all very clever and interesting I'm sure, but I'm fine with the originals in all their grainy grimy glory.

[@SpaceCattttt]

SILENCE! The grain in Spain stays mainly in your brain, and that's where it shall remain.

[@jamesbyersmusic]

Beautiful! Great video - Will certainly be placing an order - Do you get wafers with it?

[@maurice8607]

Happy 50th birthday Python.

[@DrCory48]

Cool video

[@apollion888]

In the States, the line was "Three weeks later he died of gangrene" with "gangrene" an obvious replacement for what was there originally. In my youthful innocence, I thought the different tone of the disease name was for humorous effect, not due to panting censors who found the word "cancer" unacceptable.

[@HailAnts]

apollion888 - I was never sure of it was meant to be a joke either. Carol’s voice was dubbed by a man! Wasn’t until I rented _...Completely Different_ and saw the intended line!

[@ThreadBomb]

Honestly, I prefer the clumsy insert of "gangrene" instead of cancer, for the Black Spot sketch. It's funnier.

[@Tommyr]

What's all this then?! I love it! Is there a DVD version???

[@maddestmike5791]

I NEED THIS!! :D

[@BrianKishreviews]

They put the word "cancer" back in! This is a good sign, I hope more and more lost bits resurface..like the devil animation.

[@whatdidoursurveysay]

And the choreographed Party Political Broadcast! This is monumental!

[@BrianKishreviews]

@@whatdidoursurveysay plus the stuff that's REALLY never been seen, like the sculptor who leaves a big nose on, the animation that starts with the two trees ascending into space..

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

One of the big advantages of shooting on film is that it can be rescanned at higher and higher resolutions for later on, unlike video. If you shoot it at PAL video that's all you get.

[@atheistdominion6567]

Yeah okay it looks digitally better, but what has been lost? The changes in exposure, the rough and ready aspects of how it was originally made, the limitations of the technology then - all these elements also tell a story. They tell us about the time constraints, the use of telecine and even censorship... The word "cancer" was omitted originally by the BBC and the word "gangrene" inserted in its place. It sounded funny to suddenly have a male voice step in so matter-of-factly and use this word, but it also tells us about the fears and censorship back then. In this new version, the word "gangrene" has been removed and the point of its insertion has been lost. That tiny piece of British thinking back then, that little tid-bit of historical value is gone. The show in its original presentation tells us what making TV shows back in the late 60's/ early 70's in Britain was actually like. In some strange way the rough-edges of British TV production from that era are just as important historically as the writing and the performances.

[@NJ-wb1cz]

WILL SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN???

[@NJ-wb1cz]

ps. Originals aren't lost and won't get magically replaced by remaster :) it's the best of both worlds

[@dunebasher1971]

The word "cancer" was on the original UK broadcast. It was replaced by "gangrene" for repeats.

[@thombone]

Then go get the A&E version (or whatever) and watch that. But why complain about this one?? This version is still very legitimate and yes, I absolutely pre-ordered. Just got it two days ago and so far, it's truly amazing!

[@atheistdominion6567]

@@thombone Calm down. I was offering an opinion.

[@andyleclerc3600]

I do not care how much it costs...I. Am. Buying. This!

[@FlippantChicago]

Oh wow they even kept the "cancer" joke at the end! Later that was changed to "gangrene" for some reason. I wonder if they also left in some of the other edits...

[@BedroomScenesMovie]

I know the "Crackpot Religions" bit is unedited.

[@dunebasher1971]

The episodes have all been restored to their original uncut UK broadcast versions, so all the edits made for subsequent showings have been repaired. They've also found a lot of unbroadcast material to include.

[@carstenkoloc5226]

I want to buy the DVD. 👍😜

[@alexmarshall4331]

Ohh Terry how I disagree...watching it on 40 inch HD the yoot of today...I was one of the yoots back when it 1st aired...watching it alone after bedtime I snuck down to watch MPFC on not only B/W but on 405 lines!! The next day at school..no on the way to school..the talk amongst all years..1st to upper 6th was ...you got it...phewee!! parrots...lumberjacks...silly walks..we didn't know what the #uck was going on and why we thought it was funny..HILARIOUS..but it was a game changer for us...thank you !!👉💎👈👈❤👉

[@matthewgriffith7527]

That Maury montage 😂😂😂.

[@525Lines]

The difference between the film master and the broadcast master. Shouldn't be a surprise, though. Terry recorded all his animation on film. You'd think he'd have the masters all along.

[@marks.6480]

Looks nice and all but I saw the original series on a crappy black & white TV and they were brilliant anyway. We'd never seen anything like it before

[@Filmwing]

Nice

[@seanpop2886]

At 4:51, that bit had an overdub over the female narrator's voice saying "cancer" by someone who sounded like John Lennon saying "gangrene." Does anybody else remember this?

[@Parkwaymania]

I guess this means I will get Dad's Pooves finally!

[@timepoet77]

Sadly, the footage of that proposed skit for the fourth series is lost for good.

[@myfrestuff3453]

And all this time I thought England was really grimy. 😄

[@OisEucalypt]

Ah, the original non gangrene audio!

[@timepoet77]

Howard Luken It was the BBC who changed it to gangrene.

[@explorer806]

@@timepoet77 'cos obviously it's less upsetting to die of gangrene than c@ncer...

[@seanpop2886]

Who voiced "gangrene?"

[@timepoet77]

Sean Pop Graham Chapman

[@seanpop2886]

@@timepoet77 I just remember, when I initially heard it, I thought it was John Lennon.

[@biblehistoryscience3530]

Not on Amazon?

[@petespad]

Where can I buy Flying Circus on VHS?

[@cannedmusic]

and now for something completely different...

[@andersmarklund4211]

Where's the video of the clock that you could see on KZbin before?

[@hankkingsley2976]

We're surrounded by film

[@JA-sb2ql]

MY PARROT, MY POOR PARROT IS DEAD, WHO FED IT A LOT OF SPAM? AND WHERE DID MY FISH GO? happy birthday Monty.

[@DUKESILLYWALKER]

ギリアムのアニメがめっちゃ綺麗になってる！日本でもリマスター版を発売してほしいな。

[@thombone]

ここに投稿していただきありがとうございます。これは私が日本語を学ぶのを助けています！

[@MobiusBandwidth]

never heard Carol say "Cancer" before, it had been censored to a bloke saying "Gangrene" if you can imagine, someone in standards and practices thought people couldn't tolerate even hearing the word cancer in a comedy show. @_@ dunno if that was just for the US release.

[@74Spirit1]

The American of the group.