Scene Standoff: Monty Python & The Holy Grail vs. Lady and the Tramp
The laugh-out-loud Black Knight scene from 'The Holy Grail' vs. one of the most memorable love scenes in cinema history in 'Lady and the Tramp'.
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The Black Knight - Monty Python & The Holy Grail
In this comedy set piece King Arthur (Graham Chapman) is met by a couple of soldiers fighting in the woods. When the Black Knight wins the battle, he becomes very hostile and tries to fight with Arthur who slowly and comedically removes his limbs.
- Ellis' scene
The Spaghetti dinner date - Lady and the Tramp
Tramp takes Lady to his favourite place to dine in style: Tony's, an Italian diner where Tony and Joe dine their guests in style with a serenade from the accordion. And when the pooches accidentally begin to eat the same strand of spaghetti, they grow closer together in one of cinema's most iconic kisses.
- Gareth's scene
Ellis - italics
Gareth - bold
PERFORMANCE
Well for yours (Python) I will say that it's the first and only time that I've fallen on the floor laughing.
Really?
Luckily I'd never seen what it was all about, and it's amazing. The comedy timing is perfect.
"Merely a flesh wound!"
Where as Lady and the Tramp...it's nice...
That guy plays the hell out of that accordion.
And I suppose if you manage to convince the audience that two dogs are falling in love then that's a result.
MONTY PYTHON - 8/10 LADY & THE TRAMP - 5/10
NECESSITY
None of Monty Python is necessary but that's the whole point.
And this scene in particular: they see two guys having a scrap, wait to see who wins, ask the champion to join them on their quest, and then they chop all of his limbs off.
So funny.
But it's necessary because it's one of the best comedy set pieces in the film.
Whereas Lady and the Tramp this is the only bit I know. If this scene isn't there then the film is pretty forgettable.
MONTY PYTHON - 5/10 LADY & THE TRAMP - 6/10
REFERENCABILITY
You have to know someone pretty well to reenact the Lady and the Tramp scene. And have a strong bit of pasta to work with.
Yeah I don't believe that any dog would take that long to eat a piece of spaghetti.
They'd snaffle it up.
And with Python I mean, we've referenced it loads already, "'Tis but a scratch."
"We'll call it a draw." I mean it is only referencable if you've seen the film, which is different to things like Jaws or The Shining.
MONTY PYTHON - 6/10 LADY & THE TRAMP - 4/10
POPULARITY (using Letterboxd for reference)
Lady and the Tramp is a 3.5/5. You gave it a 3.
We both gave Holy Grail a 4, and the average rating is 4.1.
I'm glad, I was worrying it was going to be mid 3's.
Yeah it's an acquired taste.
MONTY PYTHON - 4.1 LADY & THE TRAMP - 3.5
ICONIC RATING
On an iconic rating scale of breeds of dog, how iconic are these scenes? So high end is a poodle, everyone knows what a poodle is; least iconic is some sort of West Yorkshire, short haired, Siberian terrier. Something vague.
Well I should surely go with whatever Lady is in Lady and the Tramp! She is a Golden Cocker Spaniel which is pretty iconic.
This scene is one of the most iconic animated scenes ever. It has to be iconic as they come which I think a golden Cocker Spaniel definitely is.
What about Python?
It's not as iconic. It needs to be a dog that's iconic but only if you've seen it. I'm going to go with an otter hound because they're great but not greatly known.
MONTY PYTHON - otter hound LADY & THE TRAMP - golden cocker spaniel
THE FINAL STANDOFF
The Holy Grail 3-2 Lady & The Tramp
Two of the most different scenes that have had the pleasure of battling with one another. But clearly nobody beats King Arthur as he left the dogs in the dirt.
The scene is full of referencable quotes: "tis but a scratch", "we'll call it a draw", "merely a flesh wound", "you've got no arms" are just some of the ones we've referenced before...don't ask how or why!
We speak above about this scene being more iconic once you've seen it; so take that as an assignment, but while you're at it, you may as well watch the whole damn movie...and all the Python movies, you won't regret it.
A couple of other comedy films have made it through already so will any of them take on this British great?
Current Standings: G - 5 E - 7
NEXT BATTLE:
SCHINDLER'S LIST VS. GHOST
Monty Python & The Holy Grail available now on Netflix