IMDb >
The Meaning of Life (1983)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThe Meaning of Life (1983) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 39 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 9) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
31 March 1983 (USA) moreTagline:
What it is, Where it is, and how to avoid treading in it [Video Australia] morePlot:
The comedy team takes a look at life in all its stages in their own uniquely silly way. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 1 nomination moreNewsDesk:
Interview: Monty Python’s Terry Jones to Appear in ‘Holy Grail’ Chicago Screening(From HollywoodChicago.com. 7 May 2009, 2:59 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Looking For Answers? No Better Place To Look Than Here... moreCast
(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
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
107 min | Germany:112 min (2003 restored director's cut)Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (2003) | Iceland:12 | Italy:VM14 | Portugal:M/18 | Canada:PG (Ontario) (re-rating) (2003) | Canada:R (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) (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:16Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Python refused to show Universal Studios a film script, figuring, as Eric Idle said, "If we couldn't work out how to make a Monty Python film, they couldn't tell us." Instead they showed them a poem, which was a summary of the film, and a budget projection. "And to their credit," says Idle, "they paid for the film on that." Idle recites the poem on the DVD version of the movie. moreGoofs:
Revealing mistakes: In the vomiting scene right after the bucket is taken away, the end of the hose the liquid comes out of can be seen. moreQuotes:
Harry Blackitt: Look at them, bloody Catholics, filling the bloody world up with bloody people they can't afford to bloody feed.Mrs. Blackitt: What are we dear?
Harry Blackitt: Protestant, and fiercely proud of it.
Mrs. Blackitt: Hmm. Well, why do they have so many children?
Harry Blackitt: Because... every time they have sexual intercourse, they have to have a baby.
Mrs. Blackitt: But it's the same with us, Harry.
Harry Blackitt: What do you mean?
Mrs. Blackitt: Well, I mean, we've got two children, and we've had sexual intercourse twice.
Harry Blackitt: That's not the point. We could have it any time we wanted.
Mrs. Blackitt: Really?
[...]
more
Soundtrack:
Christmas in Heaven moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Meaning of Life (1983) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Life of Brian | Monty Python and the Holy Grail | Postal | Dogma | Meet the Feebles |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb UK section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |

















MONTY PYTHON'S THE MEANING OF LIFE (4 outta 5 stars)
I never really thought this was anywhere near the best work of the Pythons... but, the more I see this movie, the more I like it. People not in tune with the Python sense of humour will find this film unbearable I'm sure. (When I saw it in the theatre when it first came out there were an incredible numbers of walkouts... even *before* the infamous "Mr. Creosote" scene.) Not an actual movie so much as an extended (and expensively-produced) episode of the classic BBC TV series "Monty Python's Flying Circus"... depicting several stages in the lives of human beings, from birth to death. There are some hilarious bits (the sex education class, Death crashing a dinner party), some clever bits (the opening fish skit, the show-stopping dance number "Every Sperm is Sacred") and some just plain gross, disgusting bits (Mr. Creosote, organ donations). Plus, the movie has its own special short subject "The Crimson Permanent Assurance"... where an accounting office staffed by aging workerbees suddenly metamorphosizes into a pirate ship! Most people find this bit incredibly boring and pointless... but, dang, its cleverly done!