Python (Monty) Pictures
Starring: Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin
Directed by: Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones
Synopsis: The British comedy team takes on historical drama and the legend of King Arthur and turns it on its head in this classic comedy. King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table are sent upon a quest by God for the Holy Grail, bringing them face-to-face with an oddball assortment of dangerous foes.
Purr Blurs (with Kitty Carnage Warnings!): There’s a somewhat subtle running joke throughout the film of black cats being mistreated. As with much of the film, this is based on historical fact when cats (especially black cats) were looked upon as being evil or as witches familiars. As such cats were often persecuted and killed.
When King Arthur enters one village a peasant is going through the town with a cart full of dead people, crying out “Bring out yer dead!” In the background of this scene a woman is beating a cat against the wall. Every time the cat hits the wall it lets out a wild screech (which is probably the only way one would even notice what is happening!)
Later when the knights approach Camelot and we cut inside to see The Knights of the Round Table musical number one of the dancing knights trods upon a black cat, which lets out a screech.
Still later when King Arthur and Sir Bedevere are traveling through a forest they meet up with the Knights Who Say Ni, who order them to bring them a shrubbery. While searching for said shrubbery the pair happen upon an old woman who is beating a black cat. In all of these incidents the cat being used is obviously fake.
Some have suggested that there are nine cats mistreated in the film, one for every cat’s life, but these are the only examples we could confirm. It is possible that cats are being tossed over the castle walls during the French’s taunting of Arthur’s knights but we can’t make them out for certain.
Final Mewsings: Black cats have been mistreated throughout history but never this humorously.
Relevant Links:
