Monty Python and the Holy Grail and 4 Other Brilliant Historical Comedies
The story of an eccentric singer, a French flick about the Napoleonic Wars, and a masterpiece by Yorgos Lanthimos.
The free attitude of filmmakers to the realities of bygone eras is an active subject of discussion among viewers: some are angered by the unreliability, while others are not ready for bold interpretations of long-past events.
We suggest that you watch costume comedies that abandon academic precision in favor of irony and enthusiasm.
1. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, 2022
Al Yankovic is a recognized master of parody songs: both Madonna and the Queen have fallen under his satirical scissors. Such a specific musician deserves an equally specific movie: Weird is up to the unconventional task.
First of all, the movie is a mischievous mockery of the genre of biopics about musicians: a difficult childhood, the road to fame, group discord and long-awaited recognition.
Thanks to the aura of Yankovic's personality and Daniel Radcliffe's insanely charismatic performance, you will want to return to the movie as often as possible.
2. Return of the Hero, 2018
During the Napoleonic Wars, girls from good families could not help but fall in love with soldiers: Pauline was unlucky – her fiancé rode off to the battlefield and forgot all about his lover.
Then the sad girl's sister Elisabeth decided to write several letters under the name of the man and then bury him as a hero, so that his soul mate could live on in peace. It is easy to guess that Captain Charles-Grégoire returns at the most inopportune moment.
3. The Personal History of David Copperfield, 2019
The Personal History of David Copperfield by Armando Iannucci is a funny, entertaining tale of growing up, resistance and happiness.
Like a road movie, the audience follows the adventures of an orphan from London. David drives, flies or sails, meets strange people and writes down his impressions – the young man wants to become a writer.
4. The Favourite, 2018
Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos is conquering international festivals: his Poor Things has become one of the most important and most discussed films of 2023.
His The Favourite is a court comedy about the life of Queen Anne of England. The weakening figure of the eternally ill ruler is the center of attraction for the interests of the nobility. Two ladies vie for the role of Anne's favorite: her confidante Sarah Marlborough and her servant Abigail, who has big plans for the future.
5. Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 1975
Monty Python made a real revolution in the 1960s: jokes in the language of the absurd conquered first Great Britain and then the whole world.
Their most famous project was the BBC program Monty Python's Flying Circus, but gradually the artists reached full-length films: with Monty Python and the Holy Grail we can count the new format of comedy.
A series of sketches ridiculed the Knights of the Round Table, the legend of King Arthur and other British cultural heritage, leading the warriors in shining armor to an absurd finale.