Monty Python

……..and the Holy Grail.

Investigation, photography and loading by that dynamic duo, Robin and Simon James.

Interestingly, Sue Beeton, probably the world’s leading authority on film induced tourism is also a Monty fan and we hope that she too will relive happy memories of the film and its locations from some thirty-six years ago.

Terry Gilliam, the film’s director purchased one of my houses here in Umbria several years ago, and is one of the luminaries at the local film festival held in Montone each year.

Further reading and research, Film Induced Tourism, Sue Beeton, Channel View Publications, Clevedon, Buffalo, Toronto.

Open All Hours, Doc Martin, Last of the Summer Wine and Kingdom, all long-running TV series, have also had a direct financial effect on the towns in which they were made, as well as receiving complaint from locals, and space on our site is always available to anyone who wishes to adopt or discuss these productions.

From an article by Richard Savill, Daily Telegraph, 13 Aug 2008
Some residents in Port Isaac (Doc Martin's town)are calling for filming to be banned from the village because an influx of tourist visitors is causing traffic chaos in the narrow streets.
………..there have always been problems with traffic sine the days of horses and carts
"We have had the golden egg from the filming and we have had enough visitors now," said one resident.
……….so, thanks for the reward, but we don’t want the publicity or the trippers.
They said tourists have been dumping their vehicles by a children's play area, and are concerned a child could be killed.
……….”Doc Martin – Child Killer”. The next tabloid headline?
A local mother, said: "We need to take this seriously before we lose one of our children. It is extremely dangerous, especially when they want to go to the park."
……..”Doc Martin Responsible for Lost Children”. Maybe on the TV news.
"Friends who have enjoyed coming to the village for years have not been able to stay in holiday cottages because they have been rented to the crew."
………ah, yes, that golden egg, profit without responsibility.
Nearly 40 per cent of properties in the village are now second homes and the cost of the average home has been pushed to £280,000.
………so, one can deduce that the locals who sold to “outsiders”, at a hefty profit, didn’t take the opportunity to sell to locals, for less. Golden Egg Syndrome.
Doc Martin has attracted up to 10 million viewers in Britain and is a hit in more than a dozen countries including Australia, Belgium and Romania.
A local estate agent said the show had raised the profile of the village and was seen as an added attraction. we always mention Doc Martin in the particulars. It is a very sought after area."
………………….as ever, two sides to each story.