From Monty Python to Shrek: A selection of John Cleese films
Along with his celebrated Monty Python movies, John Cleese wrote other movies too — one of which he sees as the greatest mistake in his life. A look back as the comedian turns 80.
Monty Python's Flying Circus
The iconic comedy TV show of the six-member collective initially aired on the BBC from 1969 to 1974. The Monty Python's skits established a new genre of comedy combining surreal scenes, black comedy, cartoons and slapstick that still influences comedians to this day.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
The group's international breakthrough came in 1975 with this parody of the legend of King Arthur's quest for the Holy Grail. They achieved that feat without even having enough money to afford actual horses in the film — which is why they came up with the running joke of knights riding on invisible horses, using coconut halves as sound effects.
Monty Python's Life of Brian
Brian Cohen, born on the same day and next door to Jesus Christ, is mistaken for the Messiah for his entire life. At the time of its release in 1979, the provocative satire was accused of blasphemy by various religious groups. Some countries such as Norway and Ireland even banned the film — and that became a promotional tagline for the cult movie.
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
The seven-chapter film deals with the eternal question: What is the meaning of life? At the end of the film, the answer is provided to a newsreader in an envelope: "Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations." It won Cannes' Grand Prix in 1983.
A Fish Called Wanda
A gang of diamond thieves who double-cross each other, a charitable defense attorney, an innocent fish and a romance: Those were the ingredients of the comedy written by John Cleese and directed by Charles Crishton. Cleese's performance as the barrister won him a British Academy Film Award for best actor.
Fierce Creatures
What worked well once, can't possibly go wrong the second time around, thought Cleese as he wrote this comedy reuniting the ensemble of "A Fish Called Wanda." However, the 1997 film was in no way as successful as its predecessor. Cleese said afterwards that if there was anything he regretted in his life, it was making "Fierce Creatures" — and marrying his third wife.
James Bond
He appeared for the first time in a James Bond Film in 1999, "The World Is Not Enough" (1999). His character was then promoted in "Die Another Day" (2002), becoming the new quartermaster, aka Q. But Cleese didn't reappear in the subsequent films — the actor's typical silliness wouldn't have been an appropriate fit for the new, hard agent 007 embodied by Daniel Craig.
Shrek
In the "Shrek" series, John Cleese voiced the character of King Harold, the father of Princess Fiona. The king is repulsed by the green ogre who is to become his son-in-law and tries to stop him from marrying his daughter. John Cleese also voiced other characters in animated films including "Trolls," "Winnie the Pooh," "Planes" and many more.