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Awix (3310 KP) rated Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) in Movies

Jan 26, 2020

Probably my favourite of the Python movies, in that it has a genuine cinematic feel to it while still retaining the creativity and willingness to be just plain weird that characterised the TV series at its best. King Arthur and his knights are sent by God to find the Holy Grail; various absurd adventures ensue. The Dark Ages prove a fruitful backdrop for the Pythons' brand of grotesque surrealism.

One of those films which has entered the collective consciousness of generations - 'Tis but a scratch!', the Knights who say 'Ni', the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch, and so on. Whether the film's willingness to totally rip up the cinema rulebook (opening with the titles from a completely different film, completely dispensing with a conventional ending) is inspired or just slightly annoying is probably up to the individual viewer, but this is the work of a team working at the height of their powers. Very, very funny.

Kudos

Russell Evans (179 KP) rated The Winter King in Books

Feb 27, 2020

The Winter King

Bernard Cornwell | 1995 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics

7.5

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

Gritty and authentic take on the Arthurian Legends (3 more)

Feels like a true historical tale

Interesting characters

Gripping first part to a trilogy worth getting into

The goriness might not be to everyone's tastes (0 more)

I would definitely recommend this Novel – the first book in the Warlord Trilogy. It retells the mythical story of King Arthur but in such a gritty and credibly realistic way, that it feels like a historical epic.
This story is told from the perspective of Derfel, a young soldier and loyal follower and friend of Arthur. There are many intriguing and complex characters that are woven into the tale. The battles are quite grisly, and things can be quite brutal at times, but I guess it would have been living and fighting through the dark ages.
As a Lord of the Rings fan, this is my next favourite ‘fantasy’ trilogy. If you liked ‘The Vikings’ or ‘The Last Kingdoms’ series on TV, I would highly recommend that you give this trilogy a read.