MCM: Michael Palin

I love Michael Palin! Like many GenX nerds, Monty Python is deeply embedded in my brain, so each member of the troop is dear to me, and I don’t know that I could pick an absolute favorite. But Palin’s post-Python career endears him to me even more for his travel TV shows and books. Starting with his take on “Around the World in 80 Days” in 1980, he’s continued to present shows where he travels to unique places providing his view on various cultures and vistas. Palin studied history at Oxford and dabbled in comedy there, which is how he met Terry Jones, a fellow Oxford history and English student. The two became a writing team in Monty Python, and I feel like their early studies informed and guided their later work, Jones with his medieval documentaries and Palin with travel. In and around Monty Python and travel docs, Michael Palin has managed to make more than a few historical costume movie and TV appearances, so that means I get to feature him on the blog.

Various roles in The Complete and Utter History of Britain (1969)

Terry Jones, Complete and Utter History of Britain (1969) — A satirical look at British history, co-written by Michael Palin & Terry Jones. It’s currently available on Amazon Prime.

Michael Palin, The Complete and Utter History of Britain (1969) — Palin’s one the Princes in the Tower pretenders.

Various roles in Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969-74)

Michael Palin, Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969-74) — This is just a sampling of the historical skits Palin was involved in, starting with season 1, episode 3, Cardinal Richelieu in a courtroom sketch.

1974 Monty Python's Flying Circus - Michael Ellis — Queen Victoria is not amused by the Poetry Reading (Ants) sketch in S4E2.

1974 Monty Python's Flying Circus - Queen Victoria handicap — Palin & all the Pythons race for the Queen Victoria Handicap sketch in S4E4.

Friedrich Nietzsche in Monty Python’s Fliegender Zirkus (1972)

Sir Galahad the Pure in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Harris in Three Men in a Boat (1975)

Various roles in Ripping Yarns (1976-79)

Michael Palin, Ripping Yarns (1976-79) — Another series co-written & starring both Palin & Jones.

Dennis Cooper in Jabberwocky (1977)

Michael Palin, Jabberwocky (1977) — In fellow Python Terry Gilliam’s directorial premiere, Palin plays the man sent on a quest to vanquish the monster Jabberwocky.

Pontius Pilate in Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979)

Michael Palin, Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) — Pilate has a speech impediment in this flick. Palin also played roles like Wise Man #3, an Ex-Leper, & a Boring Prophet.

Vincent in Time Bandits (1981)

Michael Palin, Time Bandits (1981) — In this Terry Gilliam movie (co-written by Michael Palin), time-traveling dwarves & a kid bop around the cosmos, & Palin’s character has a romantic subplot.

Reverend Charles Fortescue in The Missionary (1982)

Michael Palin, The Missionary (1982). Photo by Hand Made Films. — His priest character returns from an African mission in the 1900s & ministers to English prostitutes. Photo by Hand Made Films.

Various roles in Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983)

Michael Palin, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) — This last Python movie is mostly set in the modern era, but the Catholic family in “Every Sperm Is Sacred” looks like Victorian slum squalor. Michael Palin co-wrote the song.

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) — And a sketch set during the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War.

Gilbert Chilvers in A Private Function (1984)

Michael Palin, A Private Function (1984) — With Maggie Smith in this British comedy film about black-market bacon (hence the pig), during the period of food rationing right after WWII.

Reverend Francis Ashby in American Friends (1991)

Michael Palin, American Friends (1991) — Co-written by Palin, this movie was inspired by his great-grandfather’s journals.

General Mitford in The Wipers Times (2013)

Michael Palin, The Wipers Times (2013) — A TV movie about publishing a satirical newspaper during WWI.

Vyacheslav Molotov in The Death of Stalin (2017)

Michael Palin, The Death of Stalin (2017) — Does what it says on the tin!

William Makepeace Thackeray in Vanity Fair (2018)

Michael Palin, Vanity Fair (2018) — Michael Palin portrays the author introducing each episode of this miniseries.

What’s your favorite historical (or hysterical!) role of Michael Palin’s?

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3 thoughts on “MCM: Michael Palin”

Patricia Carson says:

September 21, 2026 at 6:45 am

Has anyone mentioned that Louis XIVth’s scar was call the the Glasgow smile or Chelsea grin, and was associated with gang violence? I haven’t seen Peaky Blinders but I would be surprised if some charater or another didn’t sport one.

Boxermom says:

September 21, 2026 at 6:52 am

The Oscar Wilde sketch is one of my favorites! “You Majesty is like a dose of clap.” :)

Susan E Craig-Gilson says:

September 21, 2026 at 7:16 am

I have loved Monty Python ever since high school (late 70’s). I do have to say Michael Palin is my favorite of them, hands down! Although I do love all of them. How wonderful to see you give him his own blog.