A Monty Python fan cheered up his neighbours by encouraging them to echo some of the walks seen in John Cleese’s famous sketch.
James Ruffell, 37, decided he would bring some humour to his home village of Sonning, Berkshire, during lockdown.
He put up sign which stated: ‘You are now entering the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Silly Walks, commence silly walking immediately’.
Monty Python fan James Ruffell, 37, cheered up his neighbours in Sonning, Berkshire, by encouraging them to echo some of the walks seen in John Cleese’s famous Ministry of Silly Walks sketch
He put up sign which stated: ‘You are now entering the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Silly Walks, commence silly walking immediately’
Hilarious footage shows scores of people hopping, dancing and walking in silly ways past his house.
Mr Ruffell was not initially sure if his neighbours would take part, but they soon proved him wrong.
He said: ‘I’m a Monty Python fan. The films are great. We watched Holy Grail the other day and it still stands up.
‘It’s the basis for all modern comedy in my opinion. It’s timeless.
‘I put up the sign because I saw something similar in the States and we live in a quiet village with little traffic so I thought it was the perfect opportunity.
Hilarious footage shows scores of people hopping, dancing and walking in silly ways past his house
Mr Ruffell was not initially sure if his neighbours would take part, but they soon proved him wrong
Mr Ruffell said that around 10 people perform a silly walk past his house each day – the eldest participant being 75 – and the youngest just three-months-old. Pictured: A resident and the local post man both do their best silly walks
Mr Ruffell, a cinematographer, added: ‘I didn’t know if any one would do it, but on the first day lots did’
‘I also set up a motion detection camera so it films people as they walk past, each night I go through the footage.’
‘The Ministry of Silly Walks’ is a 1970 classic sketch by Monty Python.
The group included Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman and Terry Jones.
Cleese was seen skewering stiff-necked bureaucracy and self-important inefficiency by walking in an exaggerated and bizarre fashion.
He walked through the streets of London wearing a bowler hat and carrying a briefcase as he lifted his legs high into the air as he passed other Whitehall employees.
This family stepped out together to strike their best ridiculous poses
One woman in the video, walking her two dogs, can be seen raising her legs preposterously high in front of her. Another woman (right), struck a more graceful pose
Mr Ruffell said that around 10 people perform a silly walk past his house each day – the eldest participant being 75 – and the youngest just three-months-old.
He added that there are famous residents in the village, including George Clooney, Jimmy Page, and Theresa May – but they have yet to perform a silly walk.
Mr Ruffell, a cinematographer, added: ‘I didn’t know if any one would do it, but on the first day lots did.
‘It seems that lots of people in the village have a good sense of humour.
‘We’ve done four days worth of filming and we’ll keep going til lockdown ends.
this woman dressed up and wore an extravagant plumed head scarf as she walked past Mr Ruffell’s house
Another young girl looked as though she was posing as a chicken as she walked down the street
‘It takes a while to go through all the footage, so we won’t do it every day. I’ll just pop the sign up now and again.’
One woman in the video, walking her two dogs, can be seen raising her legs preposterously high in front of her, while others appear to be mimicking John Cleese’s famous goosestep.
Another woman walks with her hands on her knees, crossing her arms over when her legs touch.
Mr Ruffell said: ‘I put up the sign because I saw something similar in the States and we live in a quiet village with little traffic so I thought it was the perfect opportunity’
This mother and daughter dressed up in their best outfits so they could so their own silly walks
One young boy pauses to look to the left or right as he takes a pause between each step.
Mr Ruffell added: ‘It’s just supposed to be a bit of fun. I’ve been posting the footage to social media in a close page and people in the village seem to be loving it.
‘We’ve got quite a few famous neighbours. I’m hoping they get involved.’
‘The Ministry of Silly Walks’ is a 1970 classic sketch by Monty Python. Cleese was seen skewering stiff-necked bureaucracy and self-important inefficiency by walking in an exaggerated and bizarre fashion