For the filming of MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, a comic take on the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, the producers initially had permission from the National Trust for Scotland to film in several castles conserved by this organisation. Two weeks before filming permission was withdrawn for fear of damage.
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| Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 1:06:54 |
It was decided to film as many scenes as possible in Doune Castle in the Stirling district of central Scotland. This castle was privately owned and the owner, Lord Moray, had no objections. The history of the castle dates back to the 14th century when it was built over a period of 20 years by order of Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany. Over the years there have been several owners and the castle has served as a hunting lodge and as a prison, among other things. Remarkably, over the centuries the building has changed little.
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Doune Castle, 1 August 2011
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Filming started on 30 April and was completed on 12 June 1974. The castle is open to the public. During our visit, on a day full of rain almost 10 years ago, a separate room had an exhibition about the movie. It was also possible to book an audio tour, narrated by Monty Python member and director Terry Jones. More information about a visit to the castle can be found on the website
Historic Environment Scotland. Since our visit, television series
Game of Thrones and
Outlander were filmed at Doune Castle.
Engeland, 932 A.D. King Arthur (Graham Chapman) and his squire Patsy (Terry Gilliam, who turns 80 today!) are searching for knights for his Round Table in several episodes. This is the west side of the castle.
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| Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 0:04:52 |
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| Doune Castle, 1 August 2011 |
The Great Hall represents the castle of Camelot, where the knights have a song and dance.
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| Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 0:22:34 |
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| Great Hall, Doune Castle, 1 August 2011 |
In search of the Holy Grail, Arthur and the knights come to a castle occupied by the French. The knights are attacked with barnyard animals. They try to enter the castle with a 'Trojan rabbit'. This is the tower at the corner of the west and south side.
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| Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 0:28:27 |
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| Doune Castle, 1 August 2011 |
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| Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 0:30:58 |
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| Doune Castle, 1 August 2011 |
In 'The Tale of Sir Galahad' Sir Galahad (Michael Palin) ends up in Castle Anthrax, where only young women live. This scene is filmed in the kitchen of Doune Castle.
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| Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 0:41:44 |
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| Keuken, Doune Castle, 1 August 2011 |
The following episode, 'The Tale of Sir Launcelot', is set in the courtyard and in the Duchess Hall of the castle. In the film this is Swamp Castle, where Sir Lancelot (John Cleese) thinks he is saving a princess from a marriage she does not want but instead finds Prince Herbert (Terry Jones).
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| Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 0:55:17 |
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Doune Castle, 1 August 2011
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| Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 0:56:10 |
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Duchess Hall, Doune Castle, 1 August 2011
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In addition to Doune Castle, a few scenes were filmed at Castle Stalker, which can be seen in the movie as Castle Aargh. The castle, also privately owned, is a tower house built in the 15th century on an island in Loch Laich. Visiting can be arranged by prior appointment only, see the
website.
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| Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 1:26:10 |
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Castle Stalker, 3 August 2011
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Screenshots © Python (Monty) Pictures/Michael White Productions
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