The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' (2003) (V)

Director:

David Willing

Release Date:

2 September 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Documentary

Plot Keywords:

Monty Python | Comedy Filmmaking

Cast

Graham Chapman	...	Himself (archive footage)
John Cleese	...	Himself
Terry Gilliam	...	Himself
Eric Idle	...	Himself
Terry Jones	...	Himself
Michael Palin	...	Himself

Directed by
David Willing

Produced by
David Willing	....	producer

Film Editing by
Rudolf Buitendach
Dane McMaster

Production Companies

• Picture Production Company
• Python (Monty) Pictures

Distributors

• Universal Studios Home Video (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

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

Runtime:

Finland:49 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Company:

Picture Production Company

Trivia:

This documentary is featured on the 2-disc Special Edition DVD for Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983), released in September 2003.

Movie Connections:

References Blue Skies Again (1983)

A look into the Python group, specifically the creation of the film

This is a rather good documentary on the making of The Meaning of Life, featured on the 2-Disc Special Edition DVD release of said production, released in 2003. It is comprised entirely of interview bits with all six, not just the five surviving(R.I.P., Graham Chapman) Python members, not all from the same year/time, occasionally inter-cut with clips, almost all of which are from the film itself(there seems to also be one from the show), and a little bit of actual behind-the-scenes footage does make its way into it, as well. It's much more entertaining that that description, the sentence immediately preceding this one, makes it sound. Their description of the process, stuff that didn't make it, their differences, quite a bit of it is marvelous to listen to. It's interesting and fun, throughout. There are facts, accounts that fit more or less with each other, and genuine Python weirdness, in the bits. The anecdotes are golden. The editing is spot-on throughout, sharply cut and clever, all the way. There is some language and graphic content, as well as nudity, the first in the interviews, if not all that much, and all three in the clips. It's best to watch this after having seen the movie, so as to not spoil any of that experience. There is something at the middle point of this that can perhaps best be described with the words "pure Python". I recommend this to any fan of the Pythons and/or The Meaning of Life, as well as anyone who wants to know more about both or either. 7/10