By Steven Suskin
28 Jan 2008

For Python fans, Monty Python's Life of Brian [Sony] has been re-released in a two-DVD set that they call "the immaculate edition." Immaculate it is, indeed. This was a follow up to the 1975 "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," and is thought by many to be superior. ("Life of Brian" regularly shows up on British lists of the best comedies.) Let it be added that what might be the highest spot of musical hilarity in Spamalot, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," was first used in the final scene of "The Life of Brian."

The special features are presumably sure to enthrall Pythonites, one of which I myself am not. These include "An All-New Hour-Long Revelation: The Story of Brian from Monty Python"; an illustrated 110-minute recording of the early screenplay in progress; commentaries by Gilliam, Idle & Jones, on the one hand, and Cleese & Palin on the other; and five deleted scenes.

*

In last July's column I lavished extravagant praise on the Canadian TV series "Slings & Arrows," which over three seasons took us inside the workings of a major regional theatre company (not unlike the one at Stratford, Ontario). This is a delectable world, at least for those of us who have worked in — or are keenly interested in — nthe so-called roar of the greasepaint. And in addition to Hamlet and Lear, they do a big Mackintoshian musical as well! As Stephen Ouimette (who plays the extravagant Oliver Welles) puts it, this is not a satire of the Stratford Festival but a love-letter to the theatre.

The only drawback to "Slings and Arrows," I found, was that it ended in 2006 after a mere 18 episodes. Eighteen brim-filled, engrossing and delicious episodes, that is. Having dutifully issued the three seasons on DVD, Acorn Media has now given us Slings & Arrows: The Complete Collection. What we get are the three seasons on six DVDs, as already released, plus a new bonus disc containing an additional 69 minutes. This is comprised of "A Look Behind the Scenes"; separate interviews with stars Ouimette, Martha Burns, and featured actor Graham Harley (who portrays the piano-playing featured man who plunks out "Chin Up, Hamlet"); a piece showing the cast and crew on the set; and another showing director Peter Wellington at work. Finally, there is a portrait of the late William Hutt, the celebrated Canadian actor who contributed a phenomenal performance during the final season as a dying actor struggling to get through Lear.

One expects a few complaints from people who have already bought all three seasons individually: How can they do this to us, their faithful customers? All I can say is, you've gotten to enjoy the 18 episodes for all these months, or years, haven't you? That's your reward! Should fans who own them all buy the new box set, just to get the bonus disc? Perhaps not, although it makes a valuable addition to your "Slings & Arrows" shelf. Rather, you might want to buy the new set for a devoted friend and then borrow the bonus while they are watching Season One. Or maybe, give your previously-purchased copies of the three seasons to three valued friends — they'll love you for it, and they can switch and trade amongst themselves — and buy this new box for yourself. You deserve it, don't you? Anyway you look at it, you should certainly look at it. "Slings & Arrows," that is.

(Steven Suskin is author of "Second Act Trouble," "Show Tunes," and the "Opening Night on Broadway" books. He can be reached at Ssuskin@aol.com.)