And Now for Something Completely Different (1971 film)

And Now for Something Completely Different is a 1971 British comedy film that collects and re‑presents classic sketches from the television series Monty Python's Flying Circus. Produced as a feature‑length showcase, it re‑shoots favourite routines from the series so they work on cinema screens and for international viewers. The title phrase had been a recurring catchphrase on the original programme and here serves to introduce a sequence of short, self-contained sketches.

Format and content

The film is organised as a sequence of individual sketches rather than a single narrative, with material largely drawn from the spin‑off nature of a televised revue adapted for film. Performers recreated scenes with staging, camera work and pacing adjusted for theatrical presentation. Much of the content comes from the first two seasons of the television show, chosen to present a broad sample of the troupe's comic range.

Notable sketches

• "Dead Parrot" — a well‑known exchange about a deceased bird.
• "The Lumberjack Song" — a musical routine combining incongruity and chorus.
• "The Ministry of Silly Walks" — physical comedy built on exaggerated movement.
• "The Spanish Inquisition" — a repeated sketch parodying institutional surprise.

Purpose, reception and legacy

The film was intended to introduce Monty Python's humour to audiences beyond UK television by offering a compact, higher‑quality presentation suitable for cinemas. Critical and fan responses varied: some viewers preferred the original television versions for their context and timing, while others appreciated the clearer production values and the convenience of a single film. Over time the film has been seen as an accessible entry point to the troupe's work and an early example of translating sketch comedy from the small screen to theatrical release.

For more information on specific sketches, episode origins and collections, see selected references and episode guides linked with further detail on performance history and broadcast context: selected sketches and related episode guides.