Michael Palin
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.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Michael Palin, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
| Known For | Acting |
|---|---|
| Most Rating | 28.231 |
| Birthday | 1943-05-05 |
| Place of Birth | Broomhill, Sheffield, England, UK |
| Also Known As |
1977
Jabberwocky
5.987/235
A medieval tale with Pythonesque humour: After the death of his father the young Dennis Cooper goes to town where he has to pass several adventures. T...
Watch Now
Jabberwocky
1982
The Missionary
5.741/26
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...
Watch Now
The Missionary
1991
American Friends
5.929/7
Francis Ashby, a senior Oxford don on holiday alone in the Alps, meets holidaying American Caroline and her companion Elinor, the blossoming Irish-Ame...
Watch Now
American Friends
1984
A Private Function
6.171/35
In the summer of 1947, Britain prepares to commemorate the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. To get around food-rationing laws, Dr. Ch...
Watch Now
A Private Function
1975
Three Men in a Boat
6.2/11
One hot June day, three friends decide there is nothing they would like to do more than to get away from London. A boating holiday with lots of fresh...
Watch Now
Three Men in a Boat
2005
Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi
7/1
In 2005, Michael Palin set out to unlock the mysteries and find out about the background and life of Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershøi. Hammershøi pai...
Watch Now
Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi
2008
The Last Day of World War One
0/0
Telling the stories of the last soldiers to die in the Great War.
Watch Now
The Last Day of World War One
2015
Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia
7/1
Michael Palin discovers the story of 17th-century Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi. He unearths not only her paintings, but a complex and difficul...
Watch Now
Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia
1974
Henry Cleans Up
0/0
An educational comedy film from Guinness instructing how to clean out your pipes in the pub.
Watch Now
Henry Cleans Up
2004
Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'
5.8/5
Documentary about actor Peter Sellers and one of his most memorable film roles.
Watch Now
Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1
9/1
Compilation of the best Sketches of the first series of Monty Python's Flying Circus, which ran from 5 October 1969 to 11 January 1970. Memorable mom...
Watch Now
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3
0/0
All the best sketches from the third and fourth series of the ground-breaking comedy. Memorable moments include: 'The Finals of the All-England Summar...
Watch Now
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2
9/1
All the best sketches from the second series of the ground-breaking comedy. Memorable moments include: 'It's in the Mind'; 'The New Cooker Sketch'; 'N...
Watch Now
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2
1999
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm
0/0
Meatloaf introduces a look back at Python's use of music. Included interviews with the team, André Jacquemin and other conspirators.
Watch Now
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm
1999
The Monty Python Story
0/0
The story behind how the comedy sketch group Monty Python formed in 1969, and lead to four very series, and four very funny films that are still has f...
Watch Now
The Monty Python Story
1999
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches
0/0
The Sketches produced by the surviving Pythons for the BBC's celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the first showing of Monty Python on 5 October 196...
Watch Now
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches
1999
Monty Python: Pythonland
0/0
Michael Palin presents a documentary discovering some of the places that were used as locations for the filming of Monty Python's Flying Circus
Watch Now
Monty Python: Pythonland
2018
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
7/2
This special one-hour documentary reflects on Michael Palin's fascinating career as a BAFTA-winning actor, writer and presenter.
Watch Now
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
2013
Michael Palin In Wyeth's World
8/2
Michael Palin heads for rural Pennsylvania and Maine to explore the extraordinary life and work of one of America's most popular and controversial pai...
Watch Now
Michael Palin In Wyeth's World
2002
Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television
8.2/2
Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television is a BBC documentary film that recounts David Attenborough's television career. It is present...
Watch Now
Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television
1984
The Dress
0/0
A BAFTA award winning drama about a mistake when buying a dress for his mistress leads Howard to look again at his wife.
Watch Now
The Dress
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus - Michael Palin's Personal Best
0/0
Comedy from the UK
Watch Now
Monty Python's Flying Circus - Michael Palin's Personal Best
1980
Great Railway Journeys - Confessions of a Train Spotter
6/1
In this affectionate documentary, Michael Palin confesses to being a train spotter when he was a boy and fulfils his ambition to travel to the Isle of...
Watch Now
Great Railway Journeys - Confessions of a Train Spotter
2008
Around the World in 20 Years
0/0
To mark the twentieth anniversary of "Around the World in 80 Days" we went back to Dubai and India to retrace our steps and to see if we could find an...
Watch Now
Around the World in 20 Years
Close-up Toothpaste Relaunch
0/0
One of the least-known Monty Python rarities is “The Close-up Toothpaste Relaunch,” a short advertising film.
Watch Now
Close-up Toothpaste Relaunch
1970
Ending It All
0/0
Michael Palin guides us on suicide in this humorous public information film on motorway safety.
Watch Now
Ending It All
1997
Palin on Redpath
0/0
Michael Palin travels to France in search of the Mediterranean view on his wall, captured by his favourite artist, Scottish painter Anne Redpath. He t...
Watch Now
Palin on Redpath
2010
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)
6.92/25
Not The Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) is a comic oratorio based on Monty Python's Life of Brian, which retells the tragic tale of Mandy, impregnat...
Watch Now
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)
1995
The Wind in the Willows
7.214/28
Kenneth Grahame's literary classic about an enchanting world along the Riverbank has delighted readers for nearly a century. Now, this enduring belove...
Watch Now
The Wind in the Willows
2001
The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations
6/1
A documentary with Terry Jones and Michael Palin travelling to the locations of "Monty Python and Holy Grail".
Watch Now
The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations
1993
Tracey Ullman: A Class Act
0/0
A short series of 15 minute programmes, really expanded sketches, in which Tracey Ullman and Michael Palin play various roles satirizing the British c...
Watch Now
Tracey Ullman: A Class Act
2019
An Accidental Studio
6.2/8
Charts the early years of HandMade Films seen through the eyes of the filmmakers, key personnel, and the man who started it all: former Beatle George...
Watch Now
An Accidental Studio
1970
Monty Python: Who's There?
0/0
An instructional film about canvassing, for the Labour Party and starring the Python team, showing Labour Party workers how to canvass for votes. Film...
Watch Now
Monty Python: Who's There?
2020
Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation
5.7/3
Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin reflect on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and what it has taught us about global co-operation in tac...
Watch Now
Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation
1973
Is This a Record?
6/1
John Cleese, Michael Palin and Terry Jones celebrate the Guinness Book of World Records.
Watch Now
Is This a Record?
2022
The Fringe, Fame and Me
0/0
The Fringe, Fame and Me is the story of how a small Scottish arts festival that began 75 years ago this year became a national institution – a crucibl...
Watch Now
The Fringe, Fame and Me
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus - Graham Chapman's Personal Best
10/1
The LORDS of LAUGHTER--The SAINTS of SATIRE--The HIGH PRIESTS of LOW COMEDY--have sold out once again. Some say you can't take it with you. Others jus...
Watch Now
Monty Python's Flying Circus - Graham Chapman's Personal Best
2004
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
4.2/2
The Secret Policeman benefit shows for Amnesty International brought together comedy grand masters - from Python and Beyond the Fringe - and performer...
Watch Now
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
2013
The Wipers Times
6.5/20
When Captain Fred Roberts discovered a printing press in the ruins of Ypres, Belgium in 1916, he decided to publish a satirical magazine called The Wi...
Watch Now
The Wipers Times
1981
The Box
5/1
Several individuals have been packed in a box; they disagree regarding what should be done.
Watch Now
The Box
2014
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
5/1
Alan Yentob meets the five surviving members of Monty Python - John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Eric Idle - as they prepare...
Watch Now
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
1990
Viz: The Documentary
0/0
Documentary about British adult humor magazine, Viz.
Watch Now
Viz: The Documentary
2016
Attenborough at 90
0/0
In celebration of his ninetieth birthday, Sir David Attenborough shares extraordinary highlights of his life and career with broadcaster Kirsty Young,...
Watch Now
Attenborough at 90
2003
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
8/1
The behind-the-scenes production documentary of Monty Python's 'Meaning Of Life.' This documentary is featured on the 2-disc Special Edition DVD for...
Watch Now
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
2008
Life Of Brian Screenplay
0/0
An original illustrated 110 minute recording by The Pythons of their early screenplay in progress.
Watch Now
Life Of Brian Screenplay
1988
A Fish Called Wanda
7.201/1936
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.
Watch Now
A Fish Called Wanda
1969
How to Irritate People
6.722/37
A pre-Monty Python mockumentary, written by and presented by John Cleese, that provides tips on learning how to irritate people.
Watch Now
How to Irritate People
1997
The Willows in Winter
7.1/9
Hailed as the "rightful heir" to "The Wind in the Willows", William Horwood's critically acclaimed sequel comes to magical life in this beautifully an...
Watch Now
The Willows in Winter
2012
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
6.4/38
John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam pay tribute to their late Monty Python colleague Graham Chapman in this hilarious, 3-D anima...
Watch Now
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
1997
Fierce Creatures
6.135/311
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...
Watch Now
Fierce Creatures
2014
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
7.4/26
With unprecedented access, this program reveals the humour, chaos and passion that went into bringing the Flying Circus to the stage cumulating in the...
Watch Now
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
2017
The Death of Stalin
7.011/1664
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...
Watch Now
The Death of Stalin
2008
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
8/3
Discover how six seemingly ordinary but supremely talented men became Monty Python, sketch comedy's inspired group of lunatics who turned such unlikel...
Watch Now
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
2008
Monty Python Conquers America
6.5/2
This documentary follows the evolution of the British sketch comedy troupe that redefined humor and shaped an entire generation of American comics, fo...
Watch Now
Monty Python Conquers America
2019
Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes
0/0
The legend of Hamish MacInnes began early. At 16 he climbed the Matterhorn. At 17 he built his first motor car – from scratch. He attempted Everest in...
Watch Now
Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes
1988
John Cleese's First Farewell Performance
7/1
A feature length documentary on the making of A Fish Called Wanda
Watch Now
John Cleese's First Farewell Performance
2012
Produced By George Martin
7.5/6
A profile of Sir George Martin, Britain's most celebrated record producer, from his early days at EMI/Parlophone to his work with The Beatles.
Watch Now
Produced By George Martin
1990
Life of Python
7.5/2
This BBC documentary tells the history of the Python group, allowing a few glimpses at the works of its predecessors (At Last the 1948 Show, Do Not Ad...
Watch Now
Life of Python
1974
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
0/0
An documentarian from the BBC visits the set of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975). This documentary shouldn't be viewed as a making of the film,...
Watch Now
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
2008
Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'
0/0
Short documentary on the music of the 'prefab four', The Rutles. Shabby Road is where the band recorded most of their music, and it is the name of an...
Watch Now
Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'
2008
Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles'
0/0
Short documentary about the making of the film 'The Rutles: All You Need is Cash'.
Watch Now
Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles'
1978
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
6.9/80
The story of the rise and fall of the Pre-Fab Four.
Watch Now
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
1971
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
7.818/22
Fliegender Zirkus consisted of two 45-minute Monty Python television comedy specials produced by WDR for West German television. The two episodes were...
Watch Now
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
1979
The Secret Policeman's Ball
6.8/4
Amnesty decided not to present a benefit show in 1978 in order to consider how to make better use of the performing talent so favourably disposed to a...
Watch Now
The Secret Policeman's Ball
2012
Anatomy of a Liar
6/1
A documentary about A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman.
Watch Now
Anatomy of a Liar
2008
The Seventh Python
0/0
Sean Connors Films, Ltd. Presents a Frozen Pictures production of The Seventh Python, a nonfiction musical feature film based on the life, work and un...
Watch Now
The Seventh Python
2014
Monty Python Live (Mostly)
6.915/65
Celebrate the last night of the Pythons on the big screen! - With John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.
Watch Now
Monty Python Live (Mostly)
2008
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
8/4
A documentary about the legendary and influential comedian, actor and writer, who went out from the BBC to conquer Hollywood, but sadly the system qui...
Watch Now
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
2013
The Meaning of Monty Python
7.5/2
A discussion between John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones about their film The Meaning of Life
Watch Now
The Meaning of Monty Python
2007
The Secret Life of Brian
7.6/38
A documentary about the making of the controversial Life of Brian and the surrounding accusations of blasphemy.
Watch Now
The Secret Life of Brian
2020
Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy
8/2
The comedy pioneer behind the Goon Show, Dr Strangelove and the Pink Panther series is explored in depth in this film, surveying his meteoric rise to...
Watch Now
Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy
1971
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
0/0
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...
Watch Now
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
2013
Frost on Sketch Shows
8.5/2
Sir David Frost traces the development of the sketch show over the last fifty years, from variety theatre to primetime television.
Watch Now
Frost on Sketch Shows
1979
Life of Brian
7.752/3991
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...
Watch Now
Life of Brian
1975
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
7.8/5280
King Arthur, accompanied by his squire, recruits his Knights of the Round Table, including Sir Bedevere the Wise, Sir Lancelot the Brave, Sir Robin th...
Watch Now
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
1983
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
7.32/1692
Life's questions are 'answered' in a series of outrageous vignettes, beginning with a staid London insurance company which transforms before our eyes...
Watch Now
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
1982
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
7.387/128
Monty Python perform many of their greatest sketches at the Hollywood Bowl, including several from pre-Python days.
Watch Now
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
1989
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
7.1/16
Steve Martin presents selected sketches from "Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969)". It's the well known sketches, though the parrot sketch is not incl...
Watch Now
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
2014
Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace
0/0
A very personal portrait of the truly unique comedy genius of Spike Milligan, as told in his own words and featuring exclusive home movie footage. Wit...
Watch Now
Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace
1971
And Now for Something Completely Different
7.207/466
A collection of Monty Python's Flying Circus skits from the first two seasons of their British TV series.
Watch Now
And Now for Something Completely Different
2007
Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind
5.333/3
Robbie and Donner's wedding is interrupted when Donner is kidnapped by aliens. Robbie saves the day again though with the help of his friends and an a...
Watch Now
Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind
1998
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
6.9/12
In March 1998 in Aspen, Colorado, the surviving members of the Monty Paython team - John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Pal...
Watch Now
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
1985
Brazil
7.674/3027
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 beautif...
Watch Now
Brazil
1979
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
7.063/8
Ten years ago exactly, more or less, give or take a day or two, six young men sat down, or maybe stood, or perhaps some of them just lounged, and wrot...
Watch Now
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
2000
The Unknown Peter Sellers
9/1
Documentary about the life and career of a comic genius, Peter Sellers.
Watch Now
The Unknown Peter Sellers
2019
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
9/1
From ‘something completely different’ to icons of comedy and national treasures, this is a collection of rarely-seen Monty Python moments from the BBC...
Watch Now
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
2006
50 Films to See Before You Die
0/0
Celebrating the relaunch of Film4 as a free-to-air TV channel, Channel4 counts down their list of the fop 50 films to see before you die, as compiled...
Watch Now
50 Films to See Before You Die
1996
The Wind in the Willows
5.564/47
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,...
Watch Now
The Wind in the Willows
2008
What Is Brazil?
6.4/16
What is this film called Brazil? Find out in this witty documentary.
Watch Now
What Is Brazil?
1976
Pleasure at Her Majesty's
7/1
The first of the Amnesty International comedy benefit galas. The title is a play on the phrase at Her Majesty's pleasure (the show was performed at He...
Watch Now
Pleasure at Her Majesty's
1981
Time Bandits
6.612/895
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 purl...
Watch Now
Time Bandits
1971
Euroshow '71: May Day Special
0/0
German made-for-TV musical extravaganza starring Monty Python.
Watch Now
Euroshow '71: May Day Special
2011
Arthur Christmas
6.761/1307
This movie reveals the incredible, never-before seen answer to every child's question: "So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?" Th...
Watch Now
Arthur Christmas
2005
John Peel's Record Box
8/1
John Peel's Record Box is a documentary film made by Elaine Shepherd, released on 14 November 2005 on Channel 4. It was nominated for Primetime Emmy A...
Watch Now
John Peel's Record Box
2014
Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule
7.4/11
Comedian Rik Mayall died suddenly on 9 June 2014. Mayall's blend of rocket-fuelled physical comedy, surrealism, subversive satire and pompous punk wit...
Watch Now
Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule
1982
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
6/3
Following the success of the 1979 show and the financial benefits accruing to Amnesty from the spin-off movie, TV special and record albums – Cleese,...
Watch Now
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
2020
Jeepers Creepers
0/0
After twenty years as a struggling variety turn and then a prolific scriptwriter and television star, comic genius Marty Feldman found screen stardom...
Watch Now
Jeepers Creepers
1989
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
7.5/2
After the criticisms of the 1987 show’s disproportionate focus on music - and the financial disaster of its music-only Festival Of Youth weekend conce...
Watch Now
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
2015
Absolutely Anything
5.866/1308
Eccentric aliens give a man the power to do anything he wants to determine if Earth is worth saving.
Watch Now
Absolutely Anything
1987
The Grand Knockout Tournament
6/1
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...
Watch Now
The Grand Knockout Tournament
2021
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
0/0
Monty Python’s influence on comedy has been compared to the Beatles’ influence on music, a pivotal moment in the evolution of television humor. Celebr...
Watch Now
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
2012
The Secret Policeman's Ball
7.625/8
A live stand-up comedy and music gig to celebrate Amnesty International's 50th Anniversary.
Watch Now
The Secret Policeman's Ball
2003
Concert for George
8.13/54
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 Nov...
Watch Now
Concert for George
1990
The Witches
6.916/1137
A young boy named Luke and his grandmother go on vacation only to discover their hotel is hosting an international witch convention, where the Grand H...
Watch Now
The Witches
1983
The Crimson Permanent Assurance
7.125/100
A group of down-and-out accountants mutiny against their bosses and sail their office building onto the high seas in search of a pirate's life.
Watch Now
The Crimson Permanent Assurance
2007
Hitler: The Comedy Years
5/1
A documentary about the portrayal of Adolf Hitler in popular culture.
Watch Now
