Celebrate 50 years of ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ now in the ultra-high definition format

And now for something completely different. The resurrection of a cheaply made, ill-advised period comedy in the ultra-high definition disc format arrives for viewers to now clearly watch what all the fuss was about in Monty Python and the Holy Grail: 50^th Anniversary Limited Edition Steelbook (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, not rated, 1.66:1 aspect ratio, 91 minutes, $41.49).

Demanded by no one, the iconic cast of the BBC famed 1970s subversive television show “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” decided it would be fun to recreate the key parts of the Arthurian legend with their own inevitable silly style back in 1975 on a film budget that even required funding from distinguished rock bands such as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

The result was truly one of the funniest movies concocted in the history of cinema that starred Graham Chapman as King Arthur, John Cleese as Sir Lancelot the Brave, Michael Palin as Sir Galahad the Pure, Terry Jones as Sir Bedevere the Wise, Eric Idle as Sir Robin the-not-quite-so-brave-as-Sir-Lancelot and Terry Gilliam as King Arthur’s squire Patsy.

Mostly set in 932 AD, the story found King Arthur and his knights (with squires using coconuts to simulate noises of their masters’ riding nonexistent horses) compelled by God to find the fabled Holy Grail that Christ drank from.

The quest leads to a collection of vignettes and non sequitur scenes that to this day will cause viewers to nearly pass out due to the laughs delivered per minute by the insane dialogue and situations.

For example, King Arthur being challenged by the Black Knight (“tis but a scratch” and “just a flesh wound”); the knights in Camelot singing and dancing to the classic “Knights of the Round Table” (“Between our quests we sequin vests and impersonate Clark Gable”); a taunting group of French soldiers mocking Arthur and the knights (Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!”); and the Knights Who Say Ni! that demanded a shrubbery to pass.

Equally potent was Sir Robin’s encounter with the bickering three-headed knight, Sir Galahad’s encounter with sex-starved females at Castle Anthrax, and the heroes battling a “no ordinary” rabbit using the Holy Hand Grenade.

Anyone with a brain and appreciation of out-of-bounds absurdity will find ” Monty Python and the Holy Grail” an eye-watering, mesmerizing classic.

4K in action: Despite reportedly being granted a full 4K restoration for the almost full-screen presentation, the results are still a mixed bag that can often be brilliant or bad, depending on whether the scenes are in focus.

On the positive side, the colors and clarity are much sharper than previous releases, and the “bring out your dead” sequence almost has a crisp, video kind of quality as Mr. Idle in medieval costuming and dirt-scuffed face walks by the screen or watching the detailed cutting off of the Black Knight’s various appendages complete with the spurting of bright red blood.

Unfortunately, grain is still an issue especially acerbated when combined by bouts of that soft focus that now looks even more jolting.

Take the case of a terrible-looking scene with a film historian when compared against pristine moments such as a close-up of King Arther highlighted by the chain mail hanging from his crown with golden riveted bands and shiny silver top as filthy squire Patsy with textured skull cap stands behind him.

Perhaps one of the best all-around quality upgrades finds the scene with Tim the Enchanter, dressed in a black robe with ram’s horn headgear, conjuring bright explosions across a panoramic canyon pass.

Most impressive for color are all of Mr. Gilliam’s odd animation-style sequences that pop with golden oranges, vivid maroons, neon greens and deep blues while introducing very silly moments such as God introducing the quest for the grail; jumping clouds with legs; and the horned, multi-eyed black beast chasing the knights around a cave.

Overall, viewers get the best version of the movie that may ever be available, which is as maddening as appreciated.

Best extras: Two new bonus goodies on the 4K disc begins with a 15-minute, 50^th anniversary appreciation that presents a Zoom parade of admirers making comments about their reverence to the classic including Taran Killam, Craig Ferguson, Paul Feig, David Cross, Rachel Bloom, Marc Evan Jackson, Scott Adsit, Scott Aukerman, Dave Hill, Milo Ferguson and Brian Posehn.

Interestingly enough, five of the commentators are from the fabled HBO sketch comedy series “Mr. Show,” influenced by “Monty Python and the Flying Circus.”

Second, and for no reason, fans can watch the “Near-Theatrical” version of the film (in high definition) that was a slightly shorter cut of the comedy formerly seen on the antiquated VHS cartridge format.

Now, let’s move on to the included Blu-ray version of the film’s disc that replicates the bonus goodies from the 2015, 40^th anniversary, ultra-high definition release, even containing extras that go back to 1992.

First, viewers get 30 minutes’ worth of hijinks at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival with Mr. Cleese, Mr. Palin, Mr. Idle, Mr. Gilliam and Jones in a panel hosted by comedian John Oliver. Of course, expect plenty of verbal and physical silliness much to the delight of the audience who then ask questions that are mockingly rebuffed by the Pythons.

Next, a pair of optional commentary tracks, mandatory for fans, first offers the directors Mr. Gilliam and Jones (recorded separately) dissecting their masterpiece in an information-filled track touching on credits, locations, shot selections, Middle Ages production design, editing choices and the wonders of ignorance and superstition in history to name a few.

The second features the soothing words of cast members Mr. Idle, Mr. Cleese, and Mr. Palin (unfortunately, also recorded separately) as they fondly remember the misery of shooting the film with memories as loving and as bitter of the shoot and all accompanied by appropriate laughs when required.

However, best of the bunch is the 2001 documentary “The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations” that finds Mr. Palin and Jones walking us through some of the key places where the film was shot with help from production designer Julian Doyle. Frankly, the Pythons are as informative as the optional commentary tracks, but more amusing, especially when watching the old men winded from walking around and when they hire kids to re-enact the final scene of the film.

Finally, I’ll also mention enjoying a Lego-ized version of the Camelot scene and an educational film on using your coconuts.

And, let’s not forget, the SteelBook case certainly stands out with a cover featuring an adaptation of the original movie poster.

It offers Mr. Gilliam’s piece of art showing an arm coming from the clouds with hand holding the grail and the heroes in the cup in front of a castle and set in front of a brushed metal robin’s egg blue backdrop. Peppered on the cover are also some hand-drawn, snarky witticisms such as “sets the cinema back 900 years!” along with the familiar film title design.

The back cover has Mr. Gilliam’s version of God, peeking out of the clouds with bright yellow sunlight behind him and wearing an ornate crown. The interior spread is not as impressive and offers a black-and-white photo of the Python team in costume and at an outdoor location.