Michael Palin: A Life on Screen

If Monty Python were the comedic Beatles then Michael Palin would be Paul McCartney. Pleasant, easy going and conciliatory, he took the circuitous route from mould-breaking, even at times subversive writer to everyone's favourite travel companion and the dreaded National Treasure status which I like to think he would disown. As is typical of this type of show, no one here is going to speak ill of our Michael, although a few gently sarcastic jibes from John Cleese make the cut.

Palin himself is our genial host as he takes us back to his beginnings relating his family upbringing, school days and early love of "The Goons" which inspired his penchant for comedy. Later at Cambridge he started writing comedy sketches in earnest and in partnership with lifelong friend Terry Jones, broke into and then out of provincial television before falling in with his fellow Pythons in 1969 to change comedy as we know it.

I enjoyed the clips of some of Palin's earliest TV moments especially his "History Of Britain" with a hilarious skit of him as a victorious King Richard celebrating winning a battle football-style in a dressing room bath, plus there are plenty of funny clips from Python itself (but not my favourite "Blackmail" sketch!) and the films (although "The Meaning Of Life" doesn't get a look in). I also loved his "Ripping Yarns" Boys Own Adventure spoof TV series which he co-wrote with Jones and starred in every week as a different main character.

I personally think he later overdid the travel guide part, so that he just seems to be the kind of guy who doesn't turn anything down and also wouldn't say straight acting was his forte either despite the usual plethora of eulogies and bouquets from fellow actors as he essays some significant parts for writers like Armando Ianucci and Alan Bleasdale.

Sorry Mike, but rather like Paul McCartney's attempts at classical music, Bob Dylan at art or Woody Allen at serious cinema (controversial!), these aren't what you'll be best remembered for. Still, if Palin likes to think of himself as a Renaissance man, that's up to him. Me, I'll stick to him sticking to what he does best which is small and big-screen comedy because he's really very good at it and if he's done all that he's achieved and stayed a good guy in the process as this film confidently asserts, fair play to him.

This was a nice look at my favorite Python. Despite being a fan for years I didn't know he came up with the coconut "horses" in Holy Grail. What a classic, it sets the mood for the film.

I have to disagree with the one poster in that I think he's a good actor who doesn't wear out his welcome(he doesn't do a lot of straight acting so it's more like a treat when he does) and also a great travel documentarian. It's about more than being genial, it's about respect. He shows respect towards the people and places he's visiting. It's a genuine talent to be able to do what he does, to listen rather than impose. That's what makes his documentaries enjoyable to watch.

Certainly being a master of one field(comedy) and very very good at a host of others is more than most people are so he deserves the kudos. I can't understand people how want others to LIMIT themselves to just what they think they should do. I admire people who are always stretching themselves, trying to grow and also doing things they enjoy.

A Life on Screen is a whistle stop celebration of Michael Palin's life in showbusiness. Starting out in revue, being a regional presenter of a pop music show that had a few sketches. Writing material for David Frost, then Do Not Adjust Your Set which was a precursor to Monty Python, then teaming up with the rest of the Pythons and their seminal shows.

There was Ripping Yarns, the Python movies and in 1989 another career as a travel journalist with his Around the World in 80 Days for the BBC which led to further travel shows.

Palin is regarded as one of the nicest person around, a National Treasure, a term that seems to apply anyone who has been famous for more than 10 seconds these days.

We hear from his friends and collaborators. We see footage from when the remaining Monty Python team reunited at the O2 a few years ago in order for some of them to replenish their finances.

Overall it is a pleasant look back at a career of a man who has accomplished so much and was never afraid to try different things.