Rabbit of Caerbannog
fictional animal in the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail
The Rabbit of Caerbannog (), often referred to in popular culture as the Killer Rabbit, is a fictional character who first appeared in the 1975 comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail by the Monty Python comedy troupe, a parody of King Arthur's quest for the Holy Grail. The character was created by Monty Python members Graham Chapman and John Cleese, who wrote the sole scene in which it appears in the film; it is not based on any particular Arthurian lore, although there had been examples of killer rabbits in medieval literature. It makes a similar appearance in the 2004 musical Spamalot, based on the film.
The Killer Rabbit appears in a major set piece battle towards the end of Holy Grail, when Arthur and his knights reach the Cave of Caerbannog, having been warned that it is guarded by a ferocious beast. They mock the warning when they discover the beast to look like a common, harmless rabbit, but are brutally forced into retreat by the innocent-looking creature, who injures many of Arthur's knights and even kills several before being killed in return by Arthur, who uses a holy weapon, the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch, to blow up the beast.
The "Killer Rabbit scene" is largely regarded as having achieved iconic status, and it is considered one of Monty Python's most famous gags; it has been referenced and parodied many times in popular culture, and it was important in establishing the viability of Spamalot. Despite its limited screentime, several publications have acknowledged the Rabbit of Caerbannog as one of the best and most famous fictional bunnies in film history.
In the film
The Cave of Caerbannog, home of the Legendary Black Beast of Arrrghhh, is guarded by a monster, whose nature is initially unknown. Tim the Enchanter (John Cleese) leads King Arthur (Graham Chapman) and his knights to the cave, where they must face its guardian beast. Tim prosaically details a terrible monster that has killed everyone who has tried to enter the cave and warns them, "...
“Rabbit of Caerbannog” enters the record as fictional animal in the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Rabbit, Caerbannog and fictional can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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