Monty Python and the Holy Grail[edit]
The east wall of Doune Castle, where the opening scene of Monty Python and the Holy Grail takes place
The British comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail ? a parody of the legends of King Arthur by the Monty Python team ? was filmed on location in Scotland in 1974. The film's producers had gained permission from the National Trust for Scotland to film scenes at several of their Scottish castles, as well as the permission of Lord Moray to film at Doune Castle. However, the National Trust later withdrew their permission, leaving the producers with little time to find new locations. Instead, they decided to use different parts of Doune Castle to depict the various fictional castles in the film, relying on tight framing of shots to maintain the illusion.
Scenes featuring Doune Castle include:[20]
At the start of the film, King Arthur (Graham Chapman) and Patsy (Terry Gilliam) approach the east wall of Doune Castle and argue with soldiers of the garrison.
The song and dance routine "Knights of the Round Table" at "Camelot" was filmed in the Great Hall.
The servery and kitchen appear as "Castle Anthrax", where Sir Galahad the Chaste (Michael Palin) is chased by seductive girls.
The wedding disrupted by Sir Lancelot (John Cleese) was filmed in the courtyard and Great Hall.
The Trojan Rabbit scene was filmed in the entryway and into the courtyard.
The only other castle used for filming was Castle Stalker in Argyll, also privately owned, which appears as "Castle Aaaaarrrrrrggghhh" at the end of the film. The DVD version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail includes a documentary, In Search of the Holy Grail Filming Locations, in which Michael Palin and Terry Jones revisit Doune and other sites used for filming. Doune Castle has become a place of pilgrimage for fans of Monty Python and the film, and, since 2004, an annual "Monty Python Day" has been held at the castle.[21]