Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life
Date: 1983
Director: Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam
Production Company: Celandine Films, The Monty Python Partnership, Universal
Stars: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Carol Cleveland
Location(s): Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Lancashire, London, Strathclyde, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire,
Region(s): London M-N, North, Scotland, South East M-Q
Storyline:
The Monty Python team takes a look at life in their own unique way.
Additional Information:
Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson
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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
- 25 Nov 2013
The Crimson Permanent Assurance is a supporting feature shown before the main film. The story revolves around the 'mutiny' of office clerks against their corporate owners. Lloyd's Register of Shipping on Lloyd's Avenue at the junction with Fenchurch Street in London EC3.
A great comparison image from Peter.
- Capture 2
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Part I – The Miracle of Birth. After losing his job, a Man (Michael Palin) makes his weary way home to his multitude of children and a wife who has just given birth to yet another baby. Looking south on George Street Skipton, North Yorkshire, with added factories in the background. (SR)
- Capture 3
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The first big musical number of the film has the cast singing out against birth control. Looking down towards Greenfield Road from back of Bankfield Street and Hargreaves Street in Colne, Lancashire. Growing up on Hargreaves Street at the time of filming, Shane Harrison remembers the prop wooden privies being put into position.
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The dancing continues in the style of 'Oliver' and 'My Fair Lady'. The back of Hargreaves Street and Bankfield Street in Colne.
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A seemingly endless number of the couple's children descend from the back of their terraced house. The unnamed thoroughfare between Hargreaves Street and Bankfield Street in Colne.
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The song is taken up by a chorus line of nursemaids pushing priests in prams. Adrian Myers advises that this is outside Cartwright Hall, Lister Park, Bradford in West Yorkshire.
- Capture 7
- 31 Oct 2019
Undertakers join in. Looking along the back of Hargreaves Street from Greenfield Road in Colne, Lancashire confirmed by Krishna Francis and Craig Baillie.
Krishna Francis and Craig Baillie also provide this proof.
- Capture 8
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The Wife (Terry Jones) dances with six of her many sons. Shane Harrison explains that the background properties stand on Hargreaves Street and updates us that the posters remained in place until the terraces were knocked down.
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Nuns weave their way through the grounds of the Abbey. East Riddlesden Hall on Bradford Road, Riddlesden, Keighley in West Yorkshire identified by Paul.
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The couple's children sing and dance their way along an alleyway. The backs of Bankfield Street and Hargreaves Street, Colne.
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The musical extravaganza reaches it's finale. Shane Harrison locates this as the lower back street of Hargreaves Street and Bankfield Street in Colne, Lancashire.
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Part II – Growth and Learning. Schoolmaster Humphrey Williams (John Cleese) addresses his class. Looking out onto the grounds of the Royal Masonic School, Bushey, Hertfordshire.
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A dreaded rugby match between the masters and pupils takes place.
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Mr Williams trips one of the pupils as he runs with the ball. Identified on IMDB as The Royal Masonic School, Bushey. The school also features in 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade', 'It's Great to be Young', 'Lucky Jim' and 'Children of Men'.
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The masters inevitably win the game, leaving injured pupils over the pitch.
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Part III – Fighting Each Other. A platoon stand on parade as the RSM bellows that today, they will be "marching up and down the square". Dave Wilson advises that the Wikipedia entry for Colchester Garrison mentions that the old Cavalry Barracks were the location for these scenes. The Garrison has subsequently been re-developed, now there's a surprise.
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The RSM (Michael palin) shouts across at Atkinson. Jonathan Moran advises that the title sequence for 'Black Adder Goes Forth' was also shot at Colchester Garrison.
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Atkinson (Eric Idle) admits that he has something better to do than "marching up and down".
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After Atkinson is dismissed to carry on his leisure pursuit, the others are asked if they would rather be doing something else.
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After the platoon are dismissed to go to the cinema, the RSM marches up and down on his own.
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Find the Fish! Chicheley Hall, Chicheley Road, Chicheley near Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire.
- Capture 22
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A surreal moment in the middle of the film. Inside the Main Control Hall of Battersea Power Station. Off Kirtling Street in Battersea, London SW8. Other views of the power station can be seen in 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus', ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’, ‘Richard III' and 'Up the Junction'. This is Control Room A, access is not part of public tours but is reserved for corporate events or hire occasions. (RL)
- Capture 23
- 07 Apr 2016
Part VI B – The Meaning of Life. Gaston (Eric Idle) leads the camera from the restaurant where he works. Outside Porchester Hall on Porchester Road, Bayswater in London W2.
Now. SJ
- Capture 24
- 07 Apr 2016
The waiter talks to the audience as he beckons them to follow him.
The crossing on Porchester Road remains, albeit remarked. SJ
- Capture 25
- 07 Apr 2016
The corner of Porchester Road and Porchester Square in W2.
Confusingly these houses across the street are on Gloucester Terrace but they face Porchester Square so yes the corner of the two Porchesters. SJ
- Capture 26
- 09 Sep 2020
Gaston passes a parade of shops. After many months, Dave Wilson fulfills a personal goal and locates this as Shenley Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, a street that features in many films including 'On the Buses', 'The Boys in Blue', 'Percy's Progress', 'Love thy Neighbour', 'The Scamp', 'Confessions of a Window Cleaner', 'Bedazzled', 'The Glitterball', 'Home and Away', 'Dusty Ermine' and 'Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World'. Eric Idle himself wasn't able to help Dave!
Antony Blair revisited the location for this shot.
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As the walk continues, the surroundings change from city to suburb. Unidentified location.
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"You see that house? That is where I was born." Dave Wilson places this as Park Cottage on Lee Common, Buckinghamshire. He advises that it is not connected by a road you just have to walk there across the common.....if you were thinking of a now shot! (RL)
- Capture 29
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Part VII – Death. Arthur Jarrett (Graham Chapman) flees after choosing the method of his execution. The view of Grosvenor Railway Bridge and Chelsea Bridge brought back nostalgic memories of coal dust fragrance and crashing collier hatches to Dave W. Yes, Battersea Power Station as he remembers it. (RL)
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The condemned man runs across a yard. Battersea Power Station, see above Capture. (RL)
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Arthur looks back, to see a crowd of semi-naked women chasing him. Battersea Power Station, see above Captures. (RL)
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Death (John Cleese) appears in a field near to a remote house. IMDB suggests Malham in North Yorkshire.
- Capture 33
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The ghosts of poisoned dinner party guests are lead away by Death.