Graham Chapman, in case you didn’t know (and you really should), was one of the founding members of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Before throat cancer permanently extinguished his pipe in 1989, he wrote the autobiography of the title. He is naturally the narrator of the piece, and it is worth noting that the fabulous impersonator they hired to provide his voice is no impersonator, but Chapman himself, from tapes he recorded shortly before his death.

This is a wild and woolly tale, which presents itself like an audiovisual entry from the real Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, with a bit of Tristram Shandy thrown in. A number of animation styles are used, framing chapters from his memoir around recreated Monty Python sketches, and the sketches chosen snugly mirror the mood of the text.

A particularly memorable scene is drawn in the style of American cartoonist Bill Plympton, (possibly best known here for the NikNaks adverts), depicting a dark time during Chapman’s attempts to emerge from the other side of his alcoholism. Used here is the sketch where the wrestler Colin “Bomber” Harris fights himself, with John Cleese commentating, and Michael Palin as the MC.

All the surviving Pythons have returned to lend their voices, and for a better seal of approval you could not ask.

The film is presented in 3D, but gratifyingly, this is never overused. You’re drawn into the understandably self-indulgent world he paints, but they don’t reach out and spin your office chair. This is certainly the first 3D animation I’ve seen that wasn’t intended for a young audience (see the scene where Biggles receives “executive relief” and you’ll see my point). It’s possibly the first non-kiddy 3D animation ever, if you don’t count the world of anime.

All the surviving Pythons* have returned to lend their voices, and for a better seal of approval you could not ask. At times, Graham Chapman is recounting conversations with them, and providing their voices himself. This is a bit dizzying, and the film makers play with this fact cleverly. Also on hand voicing characters are veteran B-movie director Lloyd Kaufman, and Cameron Diaz (I can’t think of anyone better to voice Sigmund Freud, can you?)

If the late Dr Graham Chapman knew about all this modern animation hoo-ha draped over his words and phrases, he’d be pining for the fjords in his grave.

*Erratum: we have learned that Eric Idle was not involved

httpvh://youtu.be/dbW842eMNtI