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The Meaning of Life (1983)
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Overview
User Rating:
Your Rating:
Directors:
Writers:
Release Date:
31 March 1983 (USA)
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Tagline:
What it is, Where it is, and how to avoid treading in it [Video Australia] more
Plot:
The comedy team takes a look at life in all its stages in their own uniquely silly way. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Death
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Monty Python
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Restaurant
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Church
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Christmas
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Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.
Another 1 win
&
1 nomination
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NewsDesk:
(14 articles)
Gabriel Byrne Reveals History of Sexual Abuse
(From Actress Archives. 21 January 2010, 7:46 AM, PST)
'In Treatment' Gabriel Byrne molested at age 11 by a Catholic priest
(From Zap2It - The Dish Rag. 20 January 2010, 2:02 PM, PST)
(From Actress Archives. 21 January 2010, 7:46 AM, PST)
'In Treatment' Gabriel Byrne molested at age 11 by a Catholic priest
(From Zap2It - The Dish Rag. 20 January 2010, 2:02 PM, PST)
User Reviews:
Bloody good "Python"!
more (169 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Graham Chapman | ... | Fish #1 / Doctor / Harry Blackitt / Wymer / Hordern / General / Coles / Narrator #2 / Dr. Livingstone / Transvestite / Eric / Chairman / Guest #1 / Arthur Jarrett / Geoffrey / Tony Bennett | |
| John Cleese | ... | Fish #2 / Dr. Spencer / Humphrey Williams / Sturridge / Ainsworth / Waiter / Eric's Assistant / Maître D' / Grim Reaper | |
| Terry Gilliam | ... | Window Washer / Fish #4 / Walters / Middle of the Film Announcer / M'Lady Joeline / Mr. Brown / Howard Katzenberg | |
| Eric Idle | ... | Fish #3 / 'Meaning of Life' Singer / Mr. Moore / Mrs. Blackitt / Watson / Blackitt / Atkinson / Perkins / Victim #3 / Front End / Mrs. Hendy / Man in Pink / Gunther / Noël Coward / Gaston / Angela | |
| Terry Jones | ... | Fish #6 / Mum / Priest / Biggs / Sergeant / Man with Bendy Arms / Mrs. Brown / Bert / Mr. Creosote / Maria / Leaf Father / Fiona Portland-Smyth | |
| Michael Palin | ... | Window Washer / Fish #5 / Mr. Pycroft / Dad / Narrator #1 / Chaplain / Carter / Spadger / Regimental Sergeant Major / Pakenham-Walsh / Rear End / Lady TV Presenter / Mr. Marvin Hendy / Harry / Padre / Debbie Katzenberg | |
| Carol Cleveland | ... | Wife of Guest #1 / Heaven Receptionist | |
| Simon Jones | ... | Chadwick / Jeremy Portland-Smyth | |
| Patricia Quinn | ... | Mrs. Williams | |
| Judy Loe | ... | Nurse #1 | |
| Andrew MacLachlan | ... | Groom / Wycliff / Victim #1 / Guest #3 | |
| Mark Holmes | ... | Victim #2 / Guest #2 / Elephant Waiter | |
| Valerie Whittington | ... | Mrs. Moore | |
| Jennifer Franks | ... | Bride | |
| Imogen Bickford-Smith | ... | Nurse #2 (as Imogen Bickford Smith) |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (UK) (complete title)
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
107 min | Germany:112 min (2003 restored director's cut)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (2003) |
Iceland:12 |
Italy:VM14 |
Portugal:M/18 |
Canada:18A (re-rating) |
Canada:R (original rating) |
Ireland:(Banned) (original rating) (1983-1990) |
Brazil:18 |
Argentina:13 |
Australia:M |
Canada:13+ (Quebec) |
Finland:K-16 |
Ireland:15 (re-rating) |
New Zealand:R16 |
Norway:15 (re-rating) |
Norway:16 (original rating) |
Singapore:M18 (cut) |
Sweden:15 |
UK:15 (video re-rating) (2000) |
UK:18 (original rating) |
USA:R |
West Germany:16
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The only character to appear in all three Python films (Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), this one, and Life of Brian (1979)) is God.
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Goofs:
Miscellaneous: During the World War II segment Eric Idle can be seen stifling laughter when he is supposed to be dead.
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Quotes:
Chaplain:
Let us praise God. O Lord...
Congregation: O Lord...
Chaplain: ...Ooh, You are so big...
Congregation: ...ooh, You are so big...
Chaplain: ...So absolutely huge.
Congregation: ...So absolutely huge.
Chaplain: Gosh, we're all really impressed down here, I can tell You.
Congregation: Gosh, we're all really impressed down here, I can tell You.
Chaplain: Forgive us, O Lord, for this, our dreadful toadying, and...
Congregation: And barefaced flattery.
[...]
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Congregation: O Lord...
Chaplain: ...Ooh, You are so big...
Congregation: ...ooh, You are so big...
Chaplain: ...So absolutely huge.
Congregation: ...So absolutely huge.
Chaplain: Gosh, we're all really impressed down here, I can tell You.
Congregation: Gosh, we're all really impressed down here, I can tell You.
Chaplain: Forgive us, O Lord, for this, our dreadful toadying, and...
Congregation: And barefaced flattery.
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The Meaning of Monty Python's Meaning of Life (1983) (TV)
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Soundtrack:
Christmas in Heaven
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (169 total)
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The moment you start watching "Monty Python's Meaning of Life", and you see the unexpected movie within the movie "The Crimson Permanent Assurance", in which an office building turns into a pirate ship, you know you're in for one hell of a surreal ride. "Meaning of Life" is the Pythons at the zenith of their lunacy, filled with shocking moments of violence, offensive behavior, repulsive bodily functions, and all sorts of jaw-dropping bric a brac. Whether or not the movie truly intends to make us ponder the meaning of life or not is debatable, but you have a great time watching it. With an aquarium full of fish as a sort of Greek chorus, we explore the 3 stages of life: birth, growth, and death. The faint of heart better beware: "Meaning of Life" has scenes that would, even today, barely fly in the land of the Puritans. Michael Palin, as a dirt-poor father of 100 children, leads an epic musical number against birth control. Eric Idle, while singing about the vastness of the universe, witnesses a constellation take form of a naked woman giving birth. John Cleese plays a headmaster who teaches sex ed by having intercourse with his wife in front of his class (it's easily the least erotic sex scene in cinema history). And, in "Meaning of Life"'s most famous scene, the revolting, gluttonous Mr. Creosote (Terry Jones) literally eats until he explodes. The film lampoons several touchy topics: Catholic dogma, basic human stupidity and selfishness, the foolishness of war (in a brilliant parody of "Zulu", with Michael Caine in a brief cameo), and even death itself (one man is able to choose his death, in which he is chased off a cliff by a mob of topless women). Yet it's not entirely gratuitous. In fact, the Pythons make several good points: birth control shouldn't be denied to anyone, especially those too poor to have children. Gluttony is wrong, and will in time punish you itself. We only live once, so we better enjoy the ride. It's no-holds-barred madness, and it's Monty Python at their best. "Meaning of Life" doesn't have the same cult following as "Holy Grail", but it's certainly one of their best. If you can't handle gore, sex, vomiting, or lunacy, steer clear. For those willing to take the chance, check out "Monty Python's Meaning of Life" and maybe we'll figure out, as the title song says, if "mankind's evolving, or is it too late?".