The Guardian Unlimited – Saturday 30th September, 2000

Cleese & Co Voted For Top Comedy

What have the Monty Python team ever done for us? They gave us the funniest film of all time, according to film fans who have voted their 1979 hit Life of Brian top in a poll of comedy films compiled by Total Film magazine.

John Cleese and company scored another hit in the poll, with Monty Python and the Holy Grail coming in at number five. Life Of Brian – classic moments include the “what have the Romans ever done for us?” routine – caused a rumpus when released and was refused a certificate by many authorities.

Another British product, Withnail & I, was at number three, behind the disaster movie spoof Airplane! Withnail, starring Richard E Grant and Paul McGann, was released with little fuss 15 years ago but went on to become a classic.

The full list is:

1. Monty Python’s Life of Brian
2. Airplane!
3. Withnail & I
4. There’s Something About Mary
5. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
6. American Pie
7. Groundhog Day
8. Some Like it Hot
9. Blazing Saddles
10. Planes, Trains and Automobiles.