Michael Palin

Acting

Michael Palin

Born 1943-05-05 · Broomhill, Sheffield, England, UK

Michael Edward Palin, CBE FRGS (born 5 May 1943) is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries. Palin wrote most of his comedic material with Terry Jones. Before Monty Python, they had worked on other shows such as The Ken Dodd Show, The Frost Report and Do Not Adjust Your Set. Palin appeared in some of the most famous Python sketches, including "Argument Clinic", "Dead Parrot", "The Lumberjack Song", and "The Spanish Inquisition". Palin continued to work with Jones after Python, co-writing Ripping Yarns. He has also appeared in several films directed by fellow Python Terry Gilliam and made notable appearances in other films such as A Fish Called Wanda, for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was voted the 30th favourite by fellow comedians and comedy insiders. After Python, he began a new career as a travel writer and travel documentarian. His journeys have taken him across the world, including the North and South Poles, the Sahara desert, the Himalayas and, most recently, Eastern Europe. In 2000 Palin was honoured as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to television.

Acting credits

The Magic Faraway Tree poster
6.2

A modern family relocates to the countryside where the children discover a magical tree with eccentric residents. They're transported to fantastical lands, rekindling their family bond through adventures.

The Magic Faraway Tree

2026

Brazil poster
7.7

Low-level bureaucrat Sam Lowry escapes the monotony of his day-to-day life through a recurring daydream of himself as a virtuous hero saving a beautiful damsel. Investigating a case that led to the wrongful arrest and eventual death of an innocent man instead of wanted terrorist Harry Tuttle, he meets the woman from his daydream, and in trying to help her gets caught in a web of mistaken identities, mindless bureaucracy and lies.

Brazil

1985

Monty Python and the Holy Grail poster
7.8

King Arthur, accompanied by his squire, recruits his Knights of the Round Table, including Sir Bedevere the Wise, Sir Lancelot the Brave, Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-As-Sir-Lancelot and Sir Galahad the Pure. On the way, Arthur battles the Black Knight who, despite having had all his limbs chopped off, insists he can still fight. They reach Camelot, but Arthur decides not to enter, as "it is a silly place".

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

1975

The Death of Stalin poster
7.0

When dictator Joseph Stalin dies, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to become the next Soviet leader. As they bumble, brawl and back-stab their way to the top, the question remains — just who is running the government?

The Death of Stalin

2017

Life of Brian poster
7.8

Brian Cohen is an average young Jewish man, but through a series of ridiculous events, he gains a reputation as the Messiah. When he's not dodging his followers or being scolded by his shrill mother, the hapless Brian has to contend with the pompous Pontius Pilate and acronym-obsessed members of a separatist movement. Rife with Monty Python's signature absurdity, the tale finds Brian's life paralleling Biblical lore, albeit with many more laughs.

Life of Brian

1979

Arthur Christmas poster
6.8

For hundreds of years, the Claus family has delegated the title "Santa" to a chosen few of its members, which can be passed down upon retirement. Each Christmas, Santa and his vast army of highly trained elves produce gifts and distribute them around the world in a one-night high-tech operation. However, when one of 600 million children to receive a gift from Santa on Christmas Eve is missed, it is deemed ‘acceptable’ to all but one—Arthur Claus, the current Santa’s misfit son deemed ineligible for the title, who executes an unauthorised rookie mission to get the last present halfway around the globe before dawn on Christmas morning.

Arthur Christmas

2011

A Fish Called Wanda poster
7.2

While a diamond advocate attempts to steal a collection of diamonds, troubles arise when he realises he’s not the only one after the collection.

A Fish Called Wanda

1988

Time Bandits poster
6.6

Young history buff Kevin can scarcely believe it when six dwarfs emerge from his closet one night. Former employees of the Supreme Being, they've purloined a map charting all of the holes in the fabric of time and are using it to steal treasures from different historical eras. Taking Kevin with them, they variously drop in on Napoleon, Robin Hood and King Agamemnon before the Supreme Being catches up with them.

Time Bandits

1981

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life poster
7.3

Life's questions are 'answered' in a series of outrageous vignettes, beginning with a staid London insurance company which transforms before our eyes into a pirate ship. Then there's the National Health doctors who try to claim a healthy liver from a still-living donor. The world's most voracious glutton brings the art of vomiting to new heights before his spectacular demise.

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

1983

The Witches poster
6.9

While staying at a hotel in England with his grandmother, Helga, a young boy named Luke inadvertently spies on a convention of witches. The Grand High Witch reveals a plan to turn all children into mice via a magical formula. When they discover the eavesdropper, the witches test the formula on him. Now, with the help of Helga and hotel manager Mr Stringer, Luke the mouse must fight back against the witches.

The Witches

1990

Absolutely Anything poster
5.9

Eccentric aliens give a man the power to do anything he wants to determine if Earth is worth saving.

Absolutely Anything

2015

Concert for George poster
8.1

As a memorial to George Harrison on the first anniversary of his passing, The Concert for George was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29 November 2002 . Organized by Harrison's widow, Olivia, and son, Dhani, and arranged under the musical direction of Eric Clapton and Jeff Lynne. A benefit for Harrison's Material World Charitable Foundation, the all-star concert took place on the day of the first anniversary of his death. Proceeds from the film also went to the Material World Charitable Foundation. The film was shot using discreet cameras from over twelve locations.

Concert for George

2003

Monty Python Live (Mostly) poster
7.1

Celebrate the last night of the Pythons on the big screen! With John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.

Monty Python Live (Mostly)

2014

The Philosophers' Football Match poster
10.0

The Philosophers' Football Match is a 1972 comedic sketch by the British surreal comedy group Monty Python, depicting a fictional association football match between teams composed of ancient Greek and modern German philosophers, set during the 1972 Summer Olympics at Munich's Olympiastadion.

The Philosophers' Football Match

1972

Jabberwocky poster
6.0

After the death of his father, young Dennis Cooper goes to town where he has to pass several adventures. The town and the whole kingdom is threatened by a terrible monster called 'Jabberwocky'. Will Dennis make his fortune? Is anyone brave enough to defeat the monster?

Jabberwocky

1977

And Now for Something Completely Different poster
7.2

A collection of Monty Python's Flying Circus skits from the first two seasons of their British TV series.

And Now for Something Completely Different

1971

Fierce Creatures poster
6.2

Ex-policeman Rollo Lee is sent to run Marwood Zoo, the newly acquired business of a New Zealand tycoon. In order to meet high profit targets and keep the zoo open, Rollo enforces a new 'fierce creatures' policy, whereby only the most impressive and dangerous animals are allowed to remain in the zoo. However, the keepers are less enthusiastic about complying with these demands.

Fierce Creatures

1997

A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman poster
5.9

John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam pay tribute to their late Monty Python colleague Graham Chapman in this hilarious, 3-D animated adaptation of Chapman's brazenly fictionalized life story.

A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman

2012

Joke poster
6.0

Short immortalising Barry Cryer's 10 favourite jokes.

Joke

2026

Euroshow '71: May Day Special poster
10.0

German made-for-TV musical extravaganza starring Monty Python.

Euroshow '71: May Day Special

1971

The Grand Knockout Tournament poster
6.8

The Grand Knockout Tournament (colloquially also known as It's a Royal Knockout) was a one-off charity event which was shown on British television on 19 June 1987. It followed the format of It's a Knockout, a slapstick TV gameshow which was broadcast in the UK until 1982. The event was staged on the lakeside lawn of the Alton Towers stately home-cum-theme park.

The Grand Knockout Tournament

1987

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl poster
7.4

Monty Python perform many of their greatest sketches at the Hollywood Bowl, including several from pre-Python days.

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl

1982

The Wind in the Willows poster
7.1

Jailed for his reckless driving, rambunctious Mr. Toad has to escape from prison when his beloved Toad Hall comes under threat from the wily weasels, who plan to build a dog food factory on the very meadow sold to them by Toad himself.

The Wind in the Willows

1995

The Wind in the Willows poster
5.7

Jailed for his reckless driving, rambunctious Mr. Toad has to escape from prison when his beloved Toad Hall comes under threat from the wily weasels, who plan to build a dog food factory on the very meadow sold to them by Toad himself.

The Wind in the Willows

1996

Behind the camera

Monty Python and the Holy Grail poster
7.8

King Arthur, accompanied by his squire, recruits his Knights of the Round Table, including Sir Bedevere the Wise, Sir Lancelot the Brave, Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-As-Sir-Lancelot and Sir Galahad the Pure. On the way, Arthur battles the Black Knight who, despite having had all his limbs chopped off, insists he can still fight. They reach Camelot, but Arthur decides not to enter, as "it is a silly place".

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

1975

Life of Brian poster
7.8

Brian Cohen is an average young Jewish man, but through a series of ridiculous events, he gains a reputation as the Messiah. When he's not dodging his followers or being scolded by his shrill mother, the hapless Brian has to contend with the pompous Pontius Pilate and acronym-obsessed members of a separatist movement. Rife with Monty Python's signature absurdity, the tale finds Brian's life paralleling Biblical lore, albeit with many more laughs.

Life of Brian

1979

Time Bandits poster
6.6

Young history buff Kevin can scarcely believe it when six dwarfs emerge from his closet one night. Former employees of the Supreme Being, they've purloined a map charting all of the holes in the fabric of time and are using it to steal treasures from different historical eras. Taking Kevin with them, they variously drop in on Napoleon, Robin Hood and King Agamemnon before the Supreme Being catches up with them.

Time Bandits

1981

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life poster
7.3

Life's questions are 'answered' in a series of outrageous vignettes, beginning with a staid London insurance company which transforms before our eyes into a pirate ship. Then there's the National Health doctors who try to claim a healthy liver from a still-living donor. The world's most voracious glutton brings the art of vomiting to new heights before his spectacular demise.

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

1983

Monty Python Live (Mostly) poster
7.1

Celebrate the last night of the Pythons on the big screen! With John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.

Monty Python Live (Mostly)

2014

And Now for Something Completely Different poster
7.2

A collection of Monty Python's Flying Circus skits from the first two seasons of their British TV series.

And Now for Something Completely Different

1971

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl poster
7.4

Monty Python perform many of their greatest sketches at the Hollywood Bowl, including several from pre-Python days.

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl

1982

The Missionary poster
5.6

In 1905, after 10 years of missionary work in Africa, the Rev. Charles Fortesque is recalled to England, where his bishop gives him his new assignment - to minister to London's prostitutes.

The Missionary

1982

The Missionary poster
5.6

In 1905, after 10 years of missionary work in Africa, the Rev. Charles Fortesque is recalled to England, where his bishop gives him his new assignment - to minister to London's prostitutes.

The Missionary

1982

Python Legs! poster
NR

Did you know that Robert DeNiro was a big Monty Python fan?

Python Legs!

2012

Roger of the Raj poster
8.0

On the eve of the Great War Roger Bartlesham's aristocratic parents are firm believers in the Empire though Roger, encouraged by socialist Latin teacher Mr Hopper,dreams of equality and opening a tea shop with his sweet-heart Miranda. After a sojourn in India where various officers shoot themselves to atone for breaches in etiquette Roger gets caught up in Hopper's attempt to bring the Russian revolution to England but is rescued from the chaos by Miranda in time for them to pursue their dream.

Roger of the Raj

1979

Secrets poster
6.4

Secrets Chocolates receive an unexpected sales boost when three maintenance workers fall into the chocolate vat and are fed through the production line.

Secrets

1973

Henry Cleans Up poster
NR

An educational comedy film from Guinness instructing how to clean out your pipes in the pub.

Henry Cleans Up

1974

American Friends poster
6.3

Francis Ashby, a senior Oxford don on holiday alone in the Alps, meets holidaying American Caroline and her companion Elinor, the blossoming Irish-American girl she adopted many years before. Ashby finds he enjoys their company, particularly that of Elinor, and both the women are drawn to him. Back at Oxford he is nevertheless taken aback when they arrive unannounced. Women are not allowed in the College grounds, let alone the rooms. Indeed any liaison, however innocent, is frowned on by the upstanding Fellows.

American Friends

1991

East of Ipswich poster
7.1

Seventeen-year-old Richard and his parents take their annual seaside holiday in a guesthouse on England's east coast in the 1950s. Julia, a teenage girl holidaying with her parents in a nearby guesthouse, catches Richard's eye, but her Dutch friend Anna is intent on causing trouble.

East of Ipswich

1987

Murder at Moorstones Manor poster
8.5

Sir Clive Chiddingfield invites his family to his birthday party at lonely Moorstones Manor but in the course of the evening half of those present are murdered one by one and the remaining survivors except for Lady Chiddingfield each admit to being the killer,eventually shooting each other.

Murder at Moorstones Manor

1977

Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python poster
7.2

Steve Martin presents selected sketches from "Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969)". It's the well known sketches, though the parrot sketch is not included. Steve Martin has some funny comments on the Pythons.

Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python

1989

Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python

Escape from Stalag Luft 112B poster
9.5

During World War I Major Errol Phipps is determined to escape from Stalag Luft 112B but his attempts all fail. However all the other prisoners and the guards succeed, leaving him alone in the camp to make elaborate plans - including a tunnel system so extensive it becomes the Munich Underground. He is so obsessed with his escape plans he fails to realize that the war has ended and dies a disappointed man. He does however manage to escape from his grave after he has been buried though.

Escape from Stalag Luft 112B

1977

Michael Palin In Wyeth's World poster
7.8

Michael Palin heads for rural Pennsylvania and Maine to explore the extraordinary life and work of one of America's most popular and controversial painters, Andrew Wyeth. Fascinated by his iconic painting Christina's World, Palin goes in search of the real life stories that inspired this and Wyeth's other depictions of the American landscape and its hard grafting inhabitants. Tracking down the farmers, friends and family featured in Wyeth's magically real work, Palin builds a picture of an eccentric, enigmatic and driven painter. He also gets a rare interview with Helga, the woman who put Wyeth back in the headlines when the press discovered he had been painting her nude, compulsively but secretly for 15 years.

Michael Palin In Wyeth's World

2013

Tomkinson's Schooldays poster
9.0

New boarder Tomkinson is thoroughly miserable at Graybridge public school where he has to fight the grizzly bear,get nailed to the wall on St Tadger's Day and do the bidding of Grayson,also known as School Bully. When his mother refuses to let him come home he makes several attempts to escape,all unsuccessful,but after winning the Thirty Mile Hop against a rival (Buddhist) public school he is promoted to School Bully when Grayson leaves for Eton.

Tomkinson's Schooldays

1976

Golden Gordon poster
8.0

Barnestoneworth United is the worst football team of 1935, who lose every match. Gordon Ottershaw is, however, their loyal fan, determined to prevent them from being disbanded after their final game. To this end he recruits the players from the renowned winning team of 1922 who turn up to defeat rivals Denley Moor.

Golden Gordon

1979

Across the Andes by Frog poster
NR

Explorer Walter Snetterton and his party travel to the Andes to prove his theory that frogs are able to climb mountains. Due to the Cup Final the only person willing to act as guide is an elderly - but extremely agile - old lady and as Snetterton prepares to strike camp all his men desert him for the charms of the local ladies. Snetterton is never found but the frogs manage to escape and make it to Mexico City, thus proving his theory to be right.

Across the Andes by Frog

1977

The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 poster
NR

One of the least-known Monty Python rarities is “The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch of 1971,” a short advertising film that was made for the Birds Eye company’s internal use.

The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971

1971