Monty Python: The Other British Invasion

And now for something completely different—unless you own The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus Collectors Edition Megaset, which includes the pair of authoritative, entertaining, and not at all silly documentaries compiled here as bonus features. “Before the Flying Circus” is present at the creation, chronicling the formative years of John Cleese, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Terry Gilliam, how they met, formed creative partnerships, and developed Python's singular comic voice. “Monty Python Conquers America” follows the troupe's long and winding road to the States and acknowledges the unsung heroes in the Python story—the tenacious marketing reps, the risk-taking public television execs (Luke and Owen Wilson's father among them), and the radio DJs and program directors who helped to unleash upon unsuspecting citizens the troupe that conventional wisdom said was too crazy, too eccentric, too British, and too silly to be a success here. Both programs eschew the usual bits to present rarely seen footage. “Before” boasts a treasure trove of clips of pre-Python projects, such as the loony children's show “Do Not Adjust Your Set.” “Conquers” contains priceless home-movie glimpses of fledgling Python-mania, as well as new interviews with the Montys and some admirers, including Hank Azaria, David Hyde Pierce, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Judd Apatow, and Carl Reiner (who invited the troupe to his home for Chinese food). For passionate Pythoneers and the uninitiated who may be wondering what's all this then, this is an invaluable addition to the Python canon. (D. Liebenson)