Prime Video Adds ‘jabberwocky,’ a Lost Gem for Monty Python Devotees
Fans of absurdist comedy and fantasy are in for a treat as “Jabberwocky,” a 1977 film starring Michael Palin and bearing a strong stylistic resemblance to “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” is now available to stream on Prime Video. The underseen movie offers a unique blend of medieval adventure and deadpan humor, appealing to those who appreciate the distinctive sensibilities of the iconic British comedy troupe.
“Jabberwocky” benefits from the visual continuity established by Terry Bedford, the cinematographer for “Holy Grail.” Many viewers initially mistook the film for a sequel due to Bedford’s similar framing and aesthetic. The film follows Dennis Cooper (Palin), a cooper disowned by his father, as he navigates a grim, competitive world and becomes entangled in King Bruno the Questionable’s (Max Wall) quest to defeat a monstrous beast.
The story unfolds in a capital city overrun wiht refugees fleeing the creature,and the king’s solution to the problem-a bizarre game of hide-and-seek-forms a memorable set piece. While not as consistently hilarious as its predecessor, “Jabberwocky” provides a glimpse into the developing visual style of Terry Gilliam, who contributed to the film’s production design.
Notably, the film also features an early role for David Prowse, later known as Darth Vader, as the character Red Herring. Despite its 106-minute runtime,the film’s sporadic but effective humor makes it a worthwhile watch for dedicated fans of monty Python and Gilliam’s work.
