[the_pauley]

Just checked this 16 disc R1 release out and found out it is the exact same set of 14 discs from the previously released mega-set, with the addition of the 2 disc Monty Python Live release.

Unfortunately the 14 discs containing all four seasons of the original BBC series are exactly the same as the ones previously released, in that they contain cut/censored versions of several episodes.

Does anyone know when we in the UK are going to get a complete release of the Python TV series? We are currently on our third "Best of" collection. I can't believe one of the most influential comedy shows ever is only available in compilation DVDs in its country of origin.

What's wrong? Don't they think we can handle the fun of having all four seasons complete?

[FruitBat]

Are the "Complete Series" (Series 1 due out on 26/03/07) not really complete then?

e.g. this one

If not, they're a bit cheeky calling it "complete".

[the_pauley]

Fruitbat - you've made my day - if not my year! I'd given up hope of these coming out anytime in the near future given the pre-Christmas release of the latest "Best Of...".

Brilliant! I hope they've involved the Pythons on these and sourced complete, uncut episodes. Deleted scenes would be terrific - would love to see "This Way For The Real Prince of Darkness" at last!

[FruitBat]

Originally Posted by the_pauley

Fruitbat - you've made my day - if not my year!

I'm glad to hear it. I noticed this series on Play a couple of weeks ago and was thinking about getting it myself. Despite my negative comments in the 10 favourite programs thread, I liked the idea of having everything on DVD. I got my daughter And Now For Something Completely Different for Christmas but forgot it was missing some of my favourites (argument, bicycle repairman, fish slapping dance...).

[krish]

Monty Python's Flying Circus - Series 1
DVD Release Date: 26 Mar 2007
Best online prices: www.find-dvd.co.uk/CDRP4351.htm

Monty Python's Flying Circus - Series 2
DVD Release Date: 30 April 2007
Best online prices: www.find-dvd.co.uk/CDRP5318.htm

No word yet on Series 3 and 4

from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python's_Flying_Circus#The_.E2.80.98lost.E2. 80.99_sketches ...

The ‘lost’ sketches

John Cleese was reportedly unhappy with the use of scatological humour in Python sketches. The final episode of the third series of the show included a sketch called ‘Wee-Wee Wine Tasting’, which was censored following the BBC's and Cleese’s objections. The sketch involves a man taking a tour of a wine cellar where he samples many of the wine bottles' contents, which are actually urine. Also pulled out along with the ‘Wee-Wee’ skit (for reasons unknown) was a sketch where Cleese had hired a sculptor to carve a statue of him. The sculptor (Chapman) had made an uncanny likeness of Cleese, except for that his nose was extremely long, almost Pinocchio size. The only clue that this sketch was cut out of the episode was in the “Sherry-Drinking Vicar” sketch, where, towards the back of the room, a bust with an enormously long nose sits. It is unlikely that these sketches will be released on DVD or broadcast on television, although copies of the script for these sketches can usually be found on the Internet.

Some material originally recorded went missing later, mostly because of censorship. Sometimes it was just part of a sketch, such as the use of the word “masturbating” in the Summarize Proust sketch or “What a silly bunt” in the Travel Agent sketch, first muted, later cut out entirely. Some sketches were deleted in their entirety, like the Political Choreographer or the Satan animation connecting “Crackpot religions” to “How not to be seen”. Bits of the Satan animation can still be seen at the end where that particular episode is repeated in fastforward. Also it was later rediscovered from black & white 16 mm film prints. Critics feel that a properly restored DVD release is long overdue, although certain online stores have been taking preorders for an apparently restored Region 2 DVD release of Season 1, with a provisional release date of 26th March 2007.

[the_pauley]

The sculpting sequence was not used because Graham Chapman gave an under par performance in it.

The "masturbating" comment in The Summarising Proust Competition was restored in the early '80s BBC repeats and indeed can be found uncut on the BBC's VHS releases. "Silly bunt" has yet to reappear.

The Political Choreography sequence was shown once then removed for the repeat showing as there was an election at the time and the clip depicted Ted Heath and Harold Wilson. After that it seemed to disappear, but did turn up on some US screenings in the late '70s so there's a good chance that will have been easy to find.

And finally, good news on the Satan animation. A colour tape of the uncut show was found just over a year ago. Indeed it was rescued at the last minute from an E-Bay auction and digitally copied by the BBC.

Perhaps this explains the delay in this series coming out in the UK. Hopefully they've been waiting until they could find all of the missing material.

Fingers crossed.