Monty Python were The Beatles

They were the surreal comedy troupe who took television by storm, made millions howl with laughter at their bizarre sketches and inspired a new generation of alternative humour.

And now, thanks to this special film, fans of Monty Python can go behind the scenes as they prepare for their farewell reunion shows in London.

Alan Yentob meets up with the surviving Pythons – John Cleese, 74, Michael Palin, 71, Terry Gilliam, 73, Terry Jones, 72 and Eric Idle, 71 – as they rehearse the eagerly awaited run of 10 shows.

When tickets for the gigs went on sale, they were snapped up in an astonishing 43 seconds.

Little wonder that the Pythons’ comedy legacy has been compared to the incomparable influence that The Beatles had on music.

“The Beatles never had a ‘last night’, because they didn’t know it was coming,” says Eric.