Michael Palin as Sir Galahad By Sideshow Toy

funnyjunk.com

As you may already know, if you're a frequent reader of this blog, I love Monty Python in all their incarnations and especially Monty Python and The Holy Grail.

I have also written about two other toys from this film; The Dead Collector played by Eric Idle and Ye Olde Deluxe Cow Catapult which you can read about by clicking their respective links above.

Well now it's time to add a third in the form of Michael Palin as Sir Galahad The Pure - like The Dead Collector, he was also made by Sideshow Toys.

This version is from The Dirty Knights Series, which the back of the box states is "Not to be confused with the premium collector's set". 

By which I assume they are referring to the first series of 12 inch figures, released by Sideshow in 2001 and limited to 10,000 pieces. 

Amazon.com

These figures, released a year later in 2002, are pretty much identical to the "Muddy Versions" but their packaging is different with no viewing pane box and also have an accessory which is not included with the "Dirty Knights", in the case of Sir Galahad it is a "Grail-Shaped Beacon", which is used by the inhabitants of Castle Anthrax to lure passing Knights.

The weird thing with these non-premium collector's figures is that they had a limited run of 5,000 pieces only and as I mentioned, apart from the lack of a Grail-Shaped Beacon which has been replaced by a book bearing the chapter in which the Story of Sir Galahad appears everything else is identical. 

Inside the box is written:

"Once in a lifetime comes a motion picture of such vision and insight that it changes the standard of how films are to be made. So immense in scope and rich in texture, it defies comparison. A film unparalleled and so celebrated that it captivates the world.

And then there's a film like "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." At best, a silly film, abundant with absurd characters, fatuous animation, and gross historical inaccuracies, blah, blah, blah. Look, I don't even need to get into it.

You know the film, you've seen the characters. Why do I have to go on about Monty Python again? Have you been living in a cave?!

The only reason I'm even writing this text is because you failed to buy Series One Holy Grail Figures in the first place.

Writing this text is a complete waste of my time.

I could be off at a real movie, if not for the fact the producers of this particular collectable managed to underestimate the Monty Python fans and have subsequently had to cheapen themselves and the Python franchise by issuing a thinly-disguised refresh of the original 12 inch product.

Shame on Sideshow Toy, and shame on you, too, for buying it. Any self-respecting copywriter wouldn't touch this text. 

I never even wanted to be a product text writer. What I really wanted to be is a .....

lumberjack.

There is also a close up picture of the figure, there is also another small image in the bottom left of the cover, this one depicts "God" - a Terry Gilliam animation which is shown in The Holy Grail when he gives the quest for the Holy Grail to King Arthur and his Knights.

Behind the figure, is a Grail, taken from the part in the film, animated by Terry Gilliam, where God bestows the quest onto King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, informing them they must "seek the Grail" and showing them an image of it in the sky above them. 

As I mentioned earlier, the figure comes with a small replica of the book, seen in the film between certain scenes, open to reveal the chapter heading and accompanying photograph of Sir Galahad The Pure.

The back of the box contains more silliness. On the top left is a small white area, resembling a sticker, on which is written...

The Dirty Knights (Not to be confused with the premium collector's set).

On the bottom right, in the same place the disclaimer is written on the back of The Dead Collector's box, is this friendly nugget of information ...

Congratulations to all that purchased the premium collector set of Monty Python and The Holy Grail poseable figures. Those foresighted and fortuitous few have truly made a wise investment, not only having selected the edition that is most certainly maade from the finest extruded plastics from the far east and fabrics from only superior clothing mills, but are assured of magnificent joy in the years ahead.

To those that selected that set we at Sideshow Toy salute you!

THIS UNFORTUNATELY IS NOT THAT SET.

What you now hold in your grubby little hands is the lower class collective set of Not-so-Limited-Edition of Monty Python and The Holy Grail semi-poseable figures. Made from lesser quality materials, this edition was slapped together for that band wagon jumping l;ate comer collector. You will notice that this mediocre set comes incomplete, sorely lacking in exciting accessories. They are dirtier and somehow the paint jobs just don't compare to the realism as the first and more finer collection does.

It is truly a purchase you have made as you didn't have the wisdom that your enlightened collector brethren have had. So, there, languish in your own foot dragging silliness.

Enjoy your little toy.

And we hope the ink from this cheesy box gets off on your fingers you malodorous git.

 There is also a small note just below this which reads:

The Dirty Knights Portraits sculpted by Olaf W. Hartvigson.

Figure and accessories designed for the Sideshow Toy Figure Team.

Designer mud applique by Yutte Hermsgervordenbortborda.

Heavy sighing and general angst provided by Horst Prost lll.

Emotional counseling by Bjorn Irkestrom-Slater Walker.

We apologise for the fault in the box credits. Those responsible have been sacked.

The bottom of the box has the same silly caution as The Dead Collector has on his box...

Caution: Thou shalt exercise extreme caution whilst removing the contents herein. If you doubt your courage or your strength cease entry to this package, for severe flesh-wounds await you all with nasty, tiny, sharp, pointy edges!

There is another cautionary note, regarding posing, this one differs greatly from the one on The Dead Collector's box, it reads as follows... 

Figure may require hand support when posing. This, however, is as far as it should be taken. Unwanted hand support advances will not be tolerated. This is a professional figure, and it takes it's job seriously. Remember; no means no!

While this figure, only vaguely resembles Michael Palin, and even though the box insulted my choice of purchase, i cannot help enjoying the fact he's now a part of my collection!

Laters,

Follow

Eric Idle as The Dead Collector By Sideshow Toys

As I mentioned in my "Ye Olde Deluxe Cow Catapult" post, one of my favourite films is Monty Python and The Holy Grail, has been ever since I was little, in fact I love and own all the Monty Python films as well as the series.

So when I was nosing around Monty Python Online a few months back and discovered they were selling 12 inch Sideshow figures of "Holy Grail" characters for 5 quid each I had no choice but to buy one.

Eric Idle as The Dead Collector was the only one they had left, not that I minded, I think he's a great character, unfortunately he doesn't have much screen time but the time he does have is priceless!

This figure was released in 2002, in a Limited Edition of  7,500 pieces World Wide, so are no longer in production.

The Dead Collector figure comes in an awesome box, the front is designed to look like the poster of the film with added dirt because, if you've seen the film you'll know the Ancient Britain was a very muddy and filth covered place!

In the top right corner there is a small white rectangle with age appropriate information on, it reads: 

And the Ages shall be 12 and up! No more, no less.

Monty Python Online 

The front of the box opens like a book to reveal the figure inside, it's held in place with a small Velcro dot so is quite securely closed when pressed shut.

Inside the front cover is an image of The Dead Collector as well as more dirt and mud splats!

There is a short paragraph about the film and more humorous messages, it reads:

Released in April 1975, and filmed on a budget of less than 230,000 Pounds, Monty Python and The Holy Grail explores the legend of King Arthur, his Knights of The Round Table and their search for The Holy Grail. The talents of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin combined to make Monty Python and The Holy Grail one of the funniest movies ever made with many of it's characters becoming legend. 

Bring out your dead!

Better yet bring out your Dead Collector played by Eric Idle!

Bring him out to walk a wretched, impoverished, plague - riddled village past mud scavenging mongrels and emaciated, contorted peasants all the while beating his chime, alerting the locals to dispose of their bothersome dead.

Enjoy this character as he trudges through historic and legendary muck. Delight to his ragged and dirty countenance and take pleasure in his loathsome and reviled career. And cherish the moments when he might swiftly bring up a club and whack an old man upon the head who just won't stay dead!

In the bottom left is a white rectangle which has this written on it:

This space has been left blank intentionally.

Under no circumstances should anything (not even mud) be placed here, lest you be bonked on the head with a wooden spoon, the end result being a nasty, large, lumpy, disfigured and downright odd-looking welt, the likes of which has never been seen in the world or any other.

Action Figure stands at around 12 inches tall, is fully posable and is dressed in a replica of Eric Idle's costume, his hat and boots are plastic but the rest of his outfit is fabric.

 He comes with a wooden club and an iron triangle in keeping with his onscreen accessories, both these items are made of plastic.

The triangle has a metal chain so the Dead Collector can hold onto it while he beats it with his club and yells out "Bring out yer dead".

The head is sculpted to feature the likeness of Eric Idle, the back of the box states; The Dead Collector portrait sculpted by Olaf W, Hartvigson and the Figure and accessories designed by The Sideshow Toy Team. 

It goes on to give  further credits... 

Musical triangle training provided by Yutte Hermsgervordenbrotborda. 

Cart-driving classes provided by Horst Prost III.

'Chatting With Corpses' written by Bjorn Irkestron-Slater Walker.

below this is written...

We apologise for the fault in the box credits. Those responsible have been sacked.

Which is of course a reference to the credits of the film, which strangely mostly involves llamas!

I love the attention to detail on the box's packaging and the figure itself. The back of the box shows The Dead Collector figure in front of the part of the script for the Dead Collector / Introduction of King Arthur scene.

 Below the film stills from the scene is a disclaimer, which is also very silly, it reads:

Disclaimer: This is The Dead Collector!!

If you purchased one of the other characters from Monty Python and The Holy Grail, then you received the wrong item! THIS IS THE DEAD COLLECTOR! Please look scrupulously at this package and read all the text vigilantly. If it in no way indicates that there is a remote possibility that it might contain the DEAD COLLECTOR then you have truly requisitioned the right item. If this is not the case, and you have procured the DEAD COLLECTOR in error, to which you have spent your hard earned wages on, then please accept this item along with our apology. If you have not received the DEAD COLLECTOR and this is indeed the character you wanted, then please purchase...

THE DEAD COLLECTOR!!

At the bottom left the Sideshow Toys website address details are shown in a Pythonesque manner...

And thy quest shall lead you to the ever popular www.sideshowtoys.com!

 Even the bottom of the box has much silliness on it! 

CAUTION: Thou shall exercise extreme caution whilst removing the contents herein. If you doubt your courage or your strength, cease entry to this package, for severe flesh-wounds await you all with nasty, tiny, sharp,pointy edges! 

On the right there is a small guidance note which reads...

Figures may need hand support when posed in their own particular idiom or in the silly, knees-bent, running about advancing behaviour.

At the bottom there is an extra cautionary note which is just as silly...

ADULTS NOTE

Cut the plastic, twisty, annoying attachments with scissors and discard in the trash. And yes we really do need all of these ties so stop snivelling. 

Everything about this figure and his packaging is awesome, I can't find one thing about it that I don't love!!

Follow