The Meaning of Life (1983)

Directors:

Terry Jones
Terry Gilliam

Writers:

Graham Chapman (written by) &
John Cleese (written by) ...
(more)

Release Date:

31 March 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical

Tagline:

What it is, Where it is, and how to avoid treading in it [Video Australia]

Plot:

The comedy team takes a look at life in all its stages in their own uniquely silly way.

Plot Keywords:

Death | Restaurant | Monty Python | Meaning Of Life | Grim Reaper

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Graham Chapman	...	Chairman / Fish #1 / Doctor / Harry Blackitt / Wymer / Hordern / General / Coles / Narrator #2 / Dr. Livingstone / Transvestite / Eric / 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	...	Gunther / Fish #3 / Gaston / 'Meaning of Life' Singer / Mr. Moore / Mrs. Blackitt / Watson / Blackitt / Atkinson / Perkins / Victim #3 / Front End / Mrs. Hendy / Man in Pink / Noël Coward / Angela
Terry Jones	...	Bert / Fish #6 / Mum / Priest / Biggs / Sergeant / Man with Bendy Arms / Mrs. Brown / Mr. Creosote / Maria / Leaf Father / Fiona Portland-Smyth
Michael Palin	...	Window Washer / Harry / Fish #5 / Mr. Pycroft / Dad / Narrator #1 / Chaplain / Carter / Spadger / Regimental Sergeant Major / Pakenham-Walsh / Rear End / Female TV Presenter / Mr. Marvin Hendy / Governor / Leaf Son / Debbie Katzenberg
Carol Cleveland	...	Beefeater Waitress / Wife of Guest #1 / Leaf Mother / Leaf Daughter / 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 / Troll Waiter / Guest #2
Valerie Whittington	...	Mrs. Moore
Jennifer Franks	...	Bride
Imogen Bickford-Smith	...	Nurse #2 (as Imogen Bickford Smith)
Angela Mann	...	Wife of Guest #2
Peter Lovstrom	...	Brown's Son
George Silver	...	Diner Eating Howard the Fish
Chris Grant
Sydney Arnold	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Guy Bertrand	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Andrew Bicknell	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Ross Davidson	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Myrtle Devenish	...	Old Lady (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Tim Douglas	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Eric Francis	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Matt Frewer	...	Cornered Executive who Jumps (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Billy John	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Russell Kilmister	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Peter Mantle	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Len Marten	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Peter Merrill	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Cameron Miller	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Gareth Milne	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Larry Noble	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Paddy Ryan	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Leslie Sarony	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
John Scott Martin	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Eric Stovell	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Wally Thomas	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Jack Armstrong	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Robert Carrick	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Douglas Cooper	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
George Daly	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Chick Fowles	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Terry Grant	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Robin Hewlett	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Tommy Isley	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Juba Kennerley	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Tony Lang	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
John Murphy	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Terry Rendell	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Ronald Shilling	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Albert Welch	...	(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Luke Baxter	...	Dancer
Stephen Beasley	...	Dancer (as Stephen Beagley)
Paul Bourke	...	Dancer
Bonnie Bryg	...	Dancer
Jane Colthorpe	...	Dancer (as Jane Newman)
Charlotte Corbett	...	Dancer
Geoff Davids	...	Dancer
Emma-Kate Davies	...	Dancer
Sandra Easby	...	Dancer
Donna Fielding	...	Dancer
Roy Hamlyn Gayle	...	Dancer (as Roy Gayle)
Dawn Gerrard	...	Dancer
Natascha Gilbrooke	...	Dancer (as Natasha Gilbrook)
Donnette Goddard	...	Dancer
Heavon Grant	...	Dancer
Alison Jane Hierlihy	...	Dancer (as Alison Herlihy)
Laura James	...	Dancer
Kim Elizabeth Leeson	...	Dancer (as Kim Leeson)
Maddie Loftin	...	Dancer
Michelle Mackie	...	Dancer
Paul Madden	...	Dancer
Helen Mason	...	Dancer
Caroline Meacher	...	Dancer
Lorraine Meacher	...	Dancer
Sue Menhenick	...	Dancer
Kerri Murphy	...	Dancer
Tammy Needham	...	Dancer
Garry Noakes	...	Dancer (as Gary Noakes)
Trudy Pack	...	Dancer
Floyd Anthony Pearce	...	Dancer (as Floyd Pearce)
Wanda Rokicki	...	Dancer (as Wanda Rockiki)
Peter Salmon	...	Dancer
Lizie Saunderson	...	Dancer
Steve St. Klonis	...	Dancer
Voyd	...	Dancer
Timothy Ward	...	Dancer
Michelle Welch	...	Dancer
Gess Whitfield	...	Dancer
Lorraine Whitmarsh	...	Dancer
Dominique Wood	...	Dancer
Carole Anne	...	Topless Pursuer (uncredited)
Lynne Hazelden	...	Student Doctor (uncredited)
Jane Leeves	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Cy Town	...	Restaurant Diner (uncredited)

Directed by
Terry Jones
Terry Gilliam		(animation and special sequence)

Writing credits
Graham Chapman		(written by) &
John Cleese		(written by) &
Terry Gilliam		(written by) &
Eric Idle		(written by) &
Terry Jones		(written by) &
Michael Palin		(written by)

Produced by
John Goldstone	....	producer

Original Music by
John Du Prez

Cinematography by
Peter Hannan
Roger Pratt		(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")

Film Editing by
Julian Doyle

Casting by
Michelle Guish
Debbie McWilliams

Production Design by
Harry Lange

Art Direction by
John Beard		(segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Richard Dawking

Set Decoration by
Sharon Cartwright
Simon Wakefield

Costume Design by
James Acheson		(as Jim Acheson)

Makeup Department
Elaine Carew	....	makeup artist (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Sallie Evans	....	hairdresser (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Mary Hillman	....	makeup supervisor
Mike Jones	....	hairdresser
Mike Jones	....	makeup artist
Pamela Rayson	....	hairdresser
Pamela Rayson	....	makeup artist
Hilary Steinberg	....	hairdresser
Hilary Steinberg	....	makeup artist
Maureen Stephenson	....	hairdresser (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Christopher Tucker	....	makeup artist: Mr. Creosote (as Chris Tucker)
Maggie Weston	....	hair designer
Maggie Weston	....	makeup designer

Production Management
David Wimbury	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jonathan Benson	....	first assistant director (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Matthew Binns	....	second assistant director (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Ray Corbett	....	first assistant director
Derek Harrington	....	third assistant director (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Callum McDougall	....	third assistant director
Kieron Phipps	....	key second assistant director
Paul Taylor	....	third assistant director (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Gary White	....	first assistant director (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Bob Wright	....	second assistant director (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance") (as Bobby Wright)

Art Department
Peter Browne	....	construction department
Roger Cain	....	art department
Alan Chesters	....	construction department
John Cole	....	properties
Mel Coleman	....	construction department (as Melvin Coleman)
Steve Cooper	....	art department
Peter Cull	....	construction department
Dennis Griffin	....	art department
Richard Hornsby	....	art department
Brian Humphrey	....	properties
Tommy Kavanagh	....	construction department
Reginald Keywood	....	construction department (as Reg Keywood)
Mick Law	....	construction department
Colin Lovering	....	construction department
Dave Newton	....	properties
Brian Payne	....	properties
Ken Powell	....	construction department
Bill Sansom	....	construction department
Dick Savery	....	construction department
Vic Simpson	....	construction manager
John Skinner	....	construction department
Bob Walker	....	art department
Andrew Ackland-Snow	....	draughtsman (uncredited)
Gari Bacon	....	props (uncredited)
Gerry Bourke	....	props (uncredited)
Dennis Murray	....	plasterer (uncredited)
Martin Smeaton	....	model sculptor (uncredited)

Sound Department
Paul Carr	....	dubbing mixer
Philip Chubb	....	sound maintenance (as Phil Chubb)
Bob Doyle	....	boom operator
Rodney Glenn	....	dubbing editor
Debbie Kaplan	....	sound (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Garth Marshall	....	sound mixer
Brian Paxton	....	dubbing mixer

Special Effects by
Richard Conway	....	special effects
George Gibbs	....	special effects supervisor
Ray Hanson	....	special effects
Bob Hollow	....	special effects
David Watson	....	special effects
Terence J. Cox	....	special effects technician (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Michael Beard	....	model maker (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Valerie Charlton	....	model maker (as Val Charlton)
Carol De Jong	....	model maker (as Carole De Yong)
Nick Dunlop	....	optical effects
Roy Field	....	optical effects
Kent Houston	....	optical effects
Peter Pullen	....	model maker (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Tim Spence	....	optical effects
Paul Whitbread	....	optical effects
Janice Body	....	visual effects assistant (uncredited)
Martin Body	....	rotoscope artist (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
David Appleby	....	still photographer
Fred Ashby	....	electrical department
Kenneth Atherfold	....	grip (as Ken Atherfold)
Barry Brown	....	focus puller
John Clark	....	electrician (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Clive Coote	....	still photographer (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Mark Cridlin	....	clapper loader (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Tony Cridlin	....	grip (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Chuck Finch	....	gaffer
Dewi Humphreys	....	camera operator
John Ignatius	....	focus puller (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Sue Knight	....	clapper loader (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Alan McPherson	....	electrical department
Stewart Monteith	....	electrical department
Reg Parsons	....	best boy (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Larry Randall	....	electrical department
Roy Rodhouse	....	gaffer (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Richard Seal	....	electrical department
Malcolm Smith	....	grip (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Stefan Stankowski	....	clapper loader
Toby Tyler	....	electrician (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
George White	....	electrician (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance") (as Geo. J. White)
Kevin Brookner	....	video operator (uncredited)

Animation Department
Jill Brooks	....	animator
Kate Hepburn	....	animator
Richard Ollive	....	animator
Tim Ollive	....	animator
Mike Stuart	....	animator

Costume and Wardrobe Department
William Baboo	....	costume maker
Vin Burnham	....	costume maker
Shirley Denny	....	costume maker
Linda Eke	....	wardrobe department
Gilly Hebden	....	costume assistant
Janet Lucas	....	wardrobe department
Stephen Miles	....	costume assistant (as T. Stephen Miles)
David Murch	....	wardrobe department
Ray Scott	....	costume maker
Joyce Stoneman	....	wardrobe (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Jill Thraves	....	costume maker
James Wakely	....	wardrobe department (as James Wakley)
Lizzie Willey	....	costume maker

Editorial Department
Roy Baker	....	editing department
Margarita Doyle	....	editing department
Keith Lowes	....	editing department
Simon Milton	....	editing department
Diane Ryder	....	editing department

Other crew
Steve Abbott	....	not the production accountant
Patricia Carr	....	production assistant (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Valerie Craig	....	production assistant
Penny Eyles	....	continuity
William Hobbs	....	fight arranger (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Barbara Holloway	....	assistant to producer
Anne James	....	python manager
Maggie Jones	....	continuity (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Peter Kohn	....	location manager
Nancy Lewis	....	director of python US relations
Arlene Phillips	....	choreographer
Heather Seymour	....	assistant choreographer
Mike Smith	....	production accountant
Paul Taylor	....	production department
Tim Vaughan-Hughes	....	assistant to producer
Adam Samuelson	....	louma crane technician (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Celandine Films
• The Monty Python Partnership
• Universal Pictures

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1983) (USA) (theatrical)
• Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1983) (France) (theatrical)
• Svenska Filminstitutet (SFI) (1983) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1983) (Australia) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1983) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• MCA Home Video (1985) (USA) (VHS)
• Universal Home Video (2004) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Das Vierte (2006) (Germany) (TV)
• Argentina Video Home (2008) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2011) (Netherlands) (DVD) (director's cut)
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2012) (USA) (DVD) (Universal's 100th Anniversary)
• New Star (2011) (Greece) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Asociace Ceských Filmových Klubu (ACFK) (Czech Republic)
• LK-TEL (19??) (Argentina) (VHS)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)
• RTL2 (199?) (Germany) (TV)
• Universal Pictures

Special Effects

• Random (model makers) (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
• Westbridge Studios (model makers) (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")

Other Companies

• Lee International Studios  our thanks to (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
• Philharmonia Orchestra, The  music performed by (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
• Wigs Specialties  wigs (as Wig Specialties)
• Roger Cherrill  sound re-recorded at (as Roger Cherrill Ltd.)
• Britannia Row  music recorded at
• Redwood Recording Studios  music recorded at (as Redwood Studios)
• C.T.S. Studios  music recorded at (as CTS)
• Lee Lighting  lighting equipment (as Lee Electric)
• Elstree Film & Television Studios  movie studio
• Joe Dunton & Company  camera equipment provided by (uncredited)

Also Known As:

"Monty Python's The Meaning of Life" - UK (complete title), USA (complete title)

Runtime:

107 min | Germany:112 min (2003 restored director's cut)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

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 (Certificate No. 26970) | West Germany:16 | 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 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Netherlands:6

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Company:

Celandine Films

Trivia:

This movie won the Special Jury Grand prize at the Cannes film festival. In "Monty Python Live at Aspen", John Cleese speculates that it might have been because Orson Welles, who was on the judging panel, identified with Mr Creosote.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the "Live Liver Donation" scene, John Cleese is clearly chuckling at the performance of his two fellow Pythons.

Quotes:

Humphrey:So, just listen. Now, did I or did I not... do... vaginal... juices?
Pupils:Mmm. Mmm. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Humphrey:Name two ways of getting them flowing, Watson.
Watson:R - rubbing the clitoris, sir?
Humphrey:What's wrong with a kiss, boy? Hmm? Why not start her off with a nice kiss? You don't have to go leaping straight for the clitoris like a bull at a gate. Give her a kiss, boy.
Wymer:Suck the nipple, sir?
Humphrey:Good. Good. Well done, Wymer.
Pupil:Uh, stroking the thighs, sir.
Humphrey:Yes. Yes, I suppose so. Hmm?
Pupil:Oh, sir. Biting the neck.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Directors: The Films of Terry Gilliam (#1.2)" (????)

Soundtrack:

The Meaning of Life

The Pythons' Last Stand

"The Meaning of Life" as a whole is clearly not Monty Python's best work, yet some of the individual sketches - the film is really just a big-budget sketch show - provide some of their most inspired moments. But overall, this is not the sort of swansong that befits the Monty Python legend.

Part of the problem is that, when the film was made (1983), British comedy was in the grip of the "alternative" revolution, as a new generation of comic writer/performers (Ben Elton, Rik Mayall, Ade Edmondson, etc) were beginning their rise to stardom and making the Python brand of humour look hopelessly out-of-date - alternative comedy was essentially comedy's "punk" to the "prog-rock" of Python.

The film opens with a beautifully-shot, but utterly pointless Terry Gilliam creation, "The Crimson Permanent Assurance", which serves little purpose other than to provide a set-up for a gag later in the film. When the film proper begins, though, the familiar Pythonesque humour kicks in, and normal business is resumed, albeit patchily.

The highlights for me are the "Live Organ Transplants" sketch, in which a man has his liver forcibly removed on his own kitchen table, and "Mr Creosote", the grossly fat diner who gorges and vomits his way to an explosive demise, both of which are the type of gross-out gags which have always found a place in British humour - even today, the "League of Gentlemen" team are proudly carrying on this tradition.

Also, some of the songs in the film are among Python's best, particularly "Every Sperm Is Sacred", a wonderfully over-the-top song-and-dance number, and the cheesey "Christmas In Heaven", in which Graham Chapman gives the greatest Tony Bennett impersonation ever committed to celluloid. Unfortunately, much of the remaining material is meandering and tedious, and just serves to pad the thing out to its already over-long 107 minutes.

Python fans will find a lot to amuse them in "The Meaning of Life", but don't expect it to be another "Holy Grail" or "Life of Brian" - it isn't.