Let's rank the 14 major sketches from the most quotable movie of all time. Are a couple of sketches left off? Sure but ignore that.
I'm definitely into the teens on how many times I've seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail. While watching it recently, I decided to make this definitive list. The quotability and general hilariousness play the biggest factors in my decisions. See if you agree. Here we go!
HONORABLE MENTION - PIE JESU DOMINE DONA EIS REQUIEM
This gets its own section since it's short but oh so memorable. What college guy hasn't chanted "Pie Jesu Domine, Dona Eis Requiem" in a group while hitting their heads with a book? Not many? Well, I think it needs to catch on.
14. TIM THE ENCHANTER
While it's still amusing, it wasn't hard to rank this one last. It just doesn't compare to the top scenes. However, there's not an unfunny scene in this movie.
13. THREE-HEADED KNIGHT
This one was also easy list here. The banter between the three heads is funny, but, again, there's so much in this film that is better.
12. SIR GALAHAD VS THE MAIDENS
From here on out, I think each sketch is hilarious. Sir Galahad certainly has his hands full here, and that's all I'll say. It's a good thing Lancelot bails him out.
11. THE CAMELOT SONG
I'm still trying to convince some people to recreate this musical masterpiece although I'm not sure of the scenario where it could be done. Where there's a will, there's a way. The knights see this as a "silly place", and I'm okay with that. I'll take silly.
10. THE TROJAN RABBIT
Are you familiar with the Trojan horse? The Greek soldiers hid inside a large wooden horse that was gifted to the Trojans taking the city of Troy by surprise. Well, the knights of the round table had a similar idea for the French expect... they forgot to be inside the wooden rabbit. Maybe the wooden badger is a better idea.
9. ARE YOU SUGGESTING COCONUTS MIGRATE?
Some people may have this higher, and I respect that. It's the first sketch of the film. It starts strong with using coconuts to simulate the sound of their invisible horses. John Cleese said Michael Palin came up with this creative idea as a way to stay under their already low budget. It's followed up with the classic swallow debate. What do you think? Can they carry that coconut?
8. HELP! HELP! I'M BEING REPRESSED!
Your philosophical or more politically apt friends may rank this one even higher, but we can all still find this one funny. They do not need a king, and these peasants certainly didn't vote for him. King Arthur gives some not-so-gentle reminders that lead to our title.
7. YOUR FATHER SMELLS OF ELDERBERRIES!
I almost ranked this one higher since I quote it as much as any here. "Your mother was a hampster, and you're father smells of elderberries!" In case you're wondering, elderberries do not smell well. But hey, the French soldiers just wanted people to mind their own business.
6. NO SINGING!
This lands at seven due to its multiple mini sketches in one long scene. Lancelot comes to bail out a beautiful princess... uh prince who shot an arrow of distress. Lancelot bravely comes to the rescue fighting off (slaughtering) the mass of weddinggoers just to find the prince. This sketch also includes the knights who were supposed to make sure he didn't leave that room. Or could he go with them? Maybe someone could come and get him?
5. BRING OUT YOUR DEAD!
Thankfully, I don't see a corpse cart rolling down the street in the 21st century. In medieval times, it was different. The interaction is hilarious, and I'm not really sure why I quote this one so often. I do though. If you do see one rolling down the road, tip your local corpse cart man well.
4. NI!
"We are the knights who say NI!" That will never not be hilarious. Everything in this movie is stupid, but this bit is just really stupid in the best way. Better find that shrubbery!
3. SHE'S A WITCH!
Sir Bedevere is man wise in the ways of science. There has been countless times that I have gone through their whole conversation to discover... she's a witch! I can't argue with their logic. She weighed the same as a duck...
2. THE BLACK KNIGHT
This was difficult to decide if it's #1 or #2. It's incredibly hilarious, and I fault no one for saying it's their favorite. The black knight sketch is simple yet glorious. He just didn't want to give up! After all, "tis but a scratch!"
1. THE HOLY HAND GRENADE
This sketch wins the top spot because it includes the holy hand grenade and the killer rabbit. That is worthy as #1. Both of these sketches being in the same scene is comedic gold. The number shall be three, no more, no less, unless it's 1 in this case!
