Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus, The: Collector's Edition (DVD)

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Just as July brings us the running of the bulls and September brings us the choking of the Mets, so too does November bring us the annual A&E release of another "Monty Python" boxed set, each slightly bigger than the list. The previously released "16-Ton Megaset arrived with, coincidentally enough, 16 discs, topping the 14-disc bare bones release of the entire series. Since then, we also were peppered with single disc release of "Personal Best" selections by several of the Pythons.

Now, A&E ups the ante once more with "The Complete Monty Python´s Flying Circus Collector´s Edition" with 21 discs, seven of which are housed in the separate "Bonus Material" keep case.

I will dispense with a description of the iconic series on the assumption that you know all about it already. And if you really need to learn more, you can click on the link provided above to my review of the "16-Ton Megaset."

The first 14 discs contain all 45 episodes of the series, 3 or 4 to a disc. These are the exact same discs as released in the "16-Ton Megaset" with the same transfers and the same extras.

What you really need to know is what the difference between the "16-Ton Megaset" and the "Collector´s Edition" is and the answer is… five discs. Duh.

Two of those discs include new material not previously available in any "Monty Python" set. Disc 15 includes the documentary "Before Monty Python" which, you guessed it, covers the career of the various cast members before they formed Monty Python. From childhood to the Cambridge Footlights to the "David Frost Report" this 55-minute documentary (shot in black-and-white) is a fine extra that will be of great interest to Python fans. It packs a lot of information into its running time and is never boring. I only wish they had more clips of their early work, especially on stage, but perhaps it simply doesn´t exist.

Disc 16 offers "Monty Python Conquers America" which, you guessed it, details the troupe´s gradual acceptance in America beginning with the sketch-film "And Now for Something Completely Different" which flopped horribly in its theater run but enjoyed a second life in colleges and their comedy album that gained considerable airplay on American stations. The show began to broadcast in Canada and eventually on PBS stations throughout America, generating a huge fan base that has only gotten larger over the years. The documentary isn´t quite as compelling as "Before Monty Python" but it´s still worthwhile.

Discs 17 and 18 are simply carryovers from the "16-Ton Megaset." Disc 17: "Monty Python: Live at the Hollywood Bowl" and "Monty Python´s Flying Circus: Live at Aspen." Disc 18: ""Parrot Sketch Not Included: 20 years of Python" and "Monty Python´s Fliegender Zirkus (German Episode #1). These discs are exactly the same as the two bonus discs in the "16-Ton Megaset."

Discs 19, 20, and 21 each include two of the "Personal Best" discs. These were cheap single-disc releases featuring selections by each of the cast members (though I would hazard a guess that someone else selected the ones for Graham Chapman) of their favorite episodes. The only point in having these discs in addition to the complete series is for the introductory bits to each of the skits. Of note, the John Cleese one begins with the very funny "The Tale of Happy Valley" fairy tale from the second "Fliegender Zirkus" episode which is not included in this collection. Disc 19 features "Personal Bests" from Graham Chapman and John Cleese. Disc 20: Terry Gilliam and Eric Idle. Disc 21: Terry Jones and Michael Palin.