Who is that playing the Head Knight of Ni in the Holy Grail?
The Head Knight is Michael Palin, doing a variation on the voice used in the Spanish Inquisition. Q: What do the knights who no longer say “NI!” now call themselves? A: They are now the knights who say “Ekki ekki ekki ekki pikang zoom-boing zoowlishivm…” This is more of a phonetic spelling since what was actually said does not match what was printed in the script (“Neeow … Wum … PING!”). It is thought to be mostly an adlib by Michael Palin, but knowing what it is helps at parties. Q: Who is that playing God in the Holy Grail? A: It is a Terry Gilliam cutout with the voice of Graham Chapman. The face is that of W. G. Grace, an English cricketing champion. Or so I hear. Q: Who is that playing anyone in Swamp Castle in the Holy Grail? A: Father (“No singing!”) is played by Michael Palin under a great deal of fur. Prince Herbert (“That certain… special… something!”) is played by Terry Jones under a bit of pale makeup. The talkative guard is played by Eric Idle. The hiccoughing gu
