IMDb > Life of Brian (1979)
Life of Brian
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Life of Brian (1979) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 44 | slideshow) Videos (see all 3)
Life of Brian (1979) -- Brian is born on the original Christmas, in the stable next door. He spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.
Life of Brian (1979) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Graham Chapman (written by) &
John Cleese (written by) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Life of Brian on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 August 1979 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
A motion picture destined to offend nearly two thirds of the civilized world. And severely annoy the other third. more
Plot:
Brian is born on the original Christmas, in the stable next door. He spends his life being mistaken for a messiah. full summary | full synopsis
User Reviews:
One of my all-time favourites more (258 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Graham Chapman ... Wise Man #2 / Brian Cohen / Biggus Dickus

John Cleese ... Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur

Terry Gilliam ... Man Even Further Forward / Revolutionary / Jailer / Blood & Thunder Prophet / Frank / Audience Member / Crucifee

Eric Idle ... Mr. Cheeky / Stan (Loretta) / Harry the Haggler / Culprit Woman / Warris / Intensely Dull Youth / Jailer's Assistant / Otto / Lead Singer Crucifee
Terry Jones ... Mandy Cohen / Colin / Simon the Holy Man / Bob Hoskins / Saintly Passer-by / Alarmed Crucifixion Assistant
Michael Palin ... Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus
Terence Bayler ... Gregory
Carol Cleveland ... Mrs. Gregory
Kenneth Colley ... Jesus
Neil Innes ... A weedy Samaritan
Charles McKeown ... False Prophet / Blind Man / Giggling Guard / Stig
John Young ... Matthias, Son of Deuteronomy of Gath
Gwen Taylor ... Mrs. Big Nose
Sue Jones-Davies ... Judith
Peter Brett
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Brian of Nazareth (UK) (working title)
Jesus Christ: Lust for Glory (UK) (working title)
Monty Python's Life of Brian (UK) (complete title)
The Gospel According to St. Brian (UK) (working title)
more
Runtime:
94 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Norway:(Banned) (1979 - 1980) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1980) | Finland:K-16 (1988) | Netherlands:MG6 (DVD rating) | Iceland:L | Spain:T | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:(Banned) | Norway:18 (1980) | Sweden:15 | Australia:MA (Special Edition DVD) | France:U | Australia:M | Brazil:18 | Argentina:16 (re-rating) | Argentina:18 (original rating) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Ireland:(Banned) (1979-1987) | Ireland:15 (re-rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:11 (re-rating) (2004) | UK:15 (video rating) (1988) | UK:AA (original rating) | USA:R
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
John Cleese wanted George Lazenby to play the part of Jesus. He said it would be in his opinion absolutely hilarious, and he wanted the tagline of the film to be "George Lazenby IS Jesus Christ". But when the film's producers contacted Lazenby's agent they were informed that Lazenby was overseas working on another film project and was unavailable. Kenneth Colley was then cast as Jesus. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: You can see that Brian is hanging on a bar by his hands when he supposedly falls off the balcony and knocks the prophet into a large jar. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Wise Man #1: Ahem!
Brian?s mother: Oh!
[falls over in chair]
Brian?s mother: Who are you?
Wise Man #2: We are three wise men.
Brian?s mother: What?
Wise Man #1: We are three wise men.
Brian?s mother: Well, what are you doing creeping around a cow shed at two o'clock in the morning? That doesn't sound very wise to me.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Men in White (1998) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Brian Song more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is "Life of Brian" based on a book?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
more
36 out of 43 people found the following review useful.
One of my all-time favourites, 27 December 2005
10/10
Author: MrVibrating from Sweden

While Quest for the Holy Grail was funny because it was so low-budgetty and silly, Life of Brian is more advanced and with a greater variation of humour. It also has a bigger budget, which is great to see. Every scene looks realistic, and the sets (someone said they were formerly used by "The Last Temptation of Christ?) are great.

Almost every line in this movie is a classic, and all of them very quotable. The characters are hilarious, and out-of-this world zany.The plot is good, and contrary to the Holy Grail, it actually comes to a satisfying conclusion.

The movie also dares to joke about religion. No, they don't joke about Jesus or God, but about the believers in them. The line "I say you are Messiah, and I should know. I've followed a few" is so spot-on it hurts(when I laugh).

All in all, watch this. This is possibly the funniest movie ever created. You can't afford to miss it.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (258 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Life of Brian (1979)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Un PC flick that makes fun of the left Demelz
This is not an anti-christian or an atheist movie. san-fairy-ann
best comedy ever made?? deepblue501
Found a spoon sir! suprdrew
I'm Brian! Perkin-warbeck
Judith Leading the Romans to Brian? DrEinstein
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Monty Python and the Holy Grail The Meaning of Life The Ruling Class The Holy Mountain Brazil
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Comedy section
IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.