Jabberwocky

Date: 1977
Director: Terry Gilliam
Production Company: Python Films, Umbrella Films

Stars: Michael Palin, Harry H. Corbett, John Le Mesurier, Warren Mitchell, Max Wall
Location(s): Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire

Region(s):

Storyline:

A young peasant, with no interest in adventure or fortune, is mistaken as the kingdom’s only hope when a horrible monster threatens the countryside.

Additional Information:

Screen captures and now shots uploaded by Dave Wilson

Keith Widdowson was visiting Chepstow Castle in 1976 when filming was taking place and was fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with Michael Palin between filming takes. Not surprisingly, Keith found him very pleasant and ‘down to earth’ and has followed his career ever since. Whilst there he saw two scenes being shot, the first was when the Guard came out of the jail door to go to the loo and Michael run in to the castle, and with the guard banging on the door his trousers keep on falling down. It was an afternoon so they were blowing smoke to give an early morning effect. The second scene was when the Guard is relieving himself over the castle wall but Michael thought it was raining. There was a pump on the floor and a long hosepipe up to the Guard. Keith thinks that may have been a rehearsal because it was being done in the afternoon and in the film it was a dark early morning.

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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

  • Capture 1
  • 30 Mar 2016

The three merchants have a childish race to the Hall at Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire.

They are actually entering the middle bailey from the lower bailey at Chepstow.

  • Capture 2
  • 30 Mar 2016

Looks like it might be a close finish in the Hall at Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire.

Well, it's all over now.

  • Capture 3
  • 30 Mar 2016

The peasants queue up to enter Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire.

The location has also been used in Doctor Who, Robin of Sherwood (the 1984 series) and a 1913 production of Ivanhoe.

  • Capture 4
  • 30 Mar 2016

Michael Palin resorts to desperate measures to enter Chepstow Castle.

You can pay to enter these days.

  • Capture 5
  • 30 Mar 2016

Palin ventures into the murky outside of Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire.

Replicating the same angle was virtually impossible with around 40 years of growth.

  • Capture 6
  • 30 Mar 2016

Palin is told to venture into the forest by the people outside Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire.

The gap in the wall is still there!

  • Capture 7
  • 30 Mar 2016

A misty swirl envelopes Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire, which can also be seen in 'The Lion in Winter'.

Pembroke Castle has also been seen in 'The Bad Education', 'The Lion in Winter', the 2012 television mini-series 'The Hollow Crown' and an episode of 'Time Team'.

  • Capture 8
  • 30 Mar 2016

A guard relieves the pressure on the battlements of Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire.

No such attendance today.

  • Capture 9
  • 30 Mar 2016

Michael Palin gets a rude awakening below. But he is not actually below where the guard was! He is laying in the Barbican area of Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire.

To prove the point.

  • Capture 10
  • 30 Mar 2016

John Bird as the 1st Herald leads the announcement team into the lower bailey area of Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire.

The team has been disbanded it would seem.

  • Capture 11
  • 30 Mar 2016

John Bird and Neil Innes announce the joust competition in front of the south-west tower at Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire.

Health and Safety has now doubt cancelled the joust.

  • Capture 12
  • 30 Mar 2016

Flags are raised in front of the Prison Tower, Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire.

Now without flags.

  • Capture 13
  • 30 Mar 2016

The knights suit up in front of Monkton Tower in Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire.

A clearer view of Monkton Tower.

  • Capture 14
  • 30 Mar 2016

The crowd awaits the joust at Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire.

Now just one stand-in.

  • Capture 15
  • 30 Mar 2016

The knight charges at his opponent with Monkton Tower in the background at Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire.

The grass has since grown.

  • Capture 16
  • 30 Mar 2016

Fans cheer the action outside from inside the Old Norman Hall at Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire.

Quiet inside and out today.

  • Capture 17
  • 30 Mar 2016

Michael Palin looks for something to eat in the Old Norman Hall at Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire.

There is a cafe there these days.

  • Capture 18
  • 30 Mar 2016

The flags get raised outside the windows of the Old Norman Hall at Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire.

A clearer view of the windows.

  • Capture 19
  • 30 Mar 2016

The knight charges in the grounds of Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire.

They still charge at Pembroke Castle.

  • Capture 20
  • 30 Mar 2016

The food hunt continues for Michael inside the Old Norman Hall in Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire.

Looks as though food is still in short supply.

  • Capture 21
  • 30 Mar 2016

Palin chases his lunch down the steps of the Prison Tower in Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire.

It looks as if it has rolled away.

  • Capture 22
  • 30 Mar 2016

Dennis (Michael Palin) still seeks his vegetable but is about to run into another famous British actor, Harry H. Corbett. This is Pembroke Castle, Pembrokshire. The doorways to the Norman and North Halls are in the background.

Sometimes using the efflorescence (crystaline deposit on surfaces of masonry, stucco or concrete) can be helpful in identifying the right place.

  • Capture 23
  • 30 Mar 2016

Michael Palin apologies to Harry H. Corbett for attempting to eat his turnip. Now Palin has to carry his belongs out of the Norman Hall at Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire.

Removal complete.

  • Capture 24
  • 30 Mar 2016

Michael Palin is a nun on the run coming out of the Great Tower East doorway, Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire.

I hope that he doesn't make a habit of it.

  • Capture 25
  • 30 Mar 2016

Sister Palin decides against heading through the doorway to the Barbican area of Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire.

Much safer now with the handrail.

  • Capture 26
  • 30 Mar 2016

Our travelling hero heads down through the Gallery of Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire. The drunken guard being played by John Sharp.

All quiet today.

  • Capture 27
  • 30 Mar 2016

Following the battle with the beastie, the locals welcome the return of their hero on the battlements next to the Western Hall and ruined Chapel at Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire.

Health and Safety at work again.

  • Capture 28
  • 30 Mar 2016

Palin arrives back at the castle walls, Chepstow Castle in this case.

Without the mists of time.

  • Capture 29
  • 05 Apr 2016

Palin leads his horse to the main entrance to Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire.

Yes, the mist has cleared.

  • Capture 30
  • 05 Apr 2016

Michael and Deborah Fallender leave through the main entrance of Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire.

And that's them gone.

  • Capture 31
  • 30 Mar 2016

Max Wall waves to the newly weds as they go on their way. Again this is a re-use of the Great Tower East doorway, Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire.

Just the castle wall remains.