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Monty Python's Life of Brian

Original title: Life of Brian
  • 1979
  • R
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
429K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,228
153
John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Monty Python in Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
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Dark ComedyParodySatireComedy

Born on the original Christmas in the stable next door to Jesus Christ, Brian of Nazareth spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.Born on the original Christmas in the stable next door to Jesus Christ, Brian of Nazareth spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.Born on the original Christmas in the stable next door to Jesus Christ, Brian of Nazareth spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.

  • Director
    • Terry Jones
  • Writers
    • Graham Chapman
    • John Cleese
    • Terry Gilliam
  • Stars
    • Graham Chapman
    • John Cleese
    • Michael Palin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    429K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,228
    153
    • Director
      • Terry Jones
    • Writers
      • Graham Chapman
      • John Cleese
      • Terry Gilliam
    • Stars
      • Graham Chapman
      • John Cleese
      • Michael Palin
    • 482User reviews
    • 109Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:51
    Trailer
    Monty Python's Life of Brian
    Trailer 1:37
    Monty Python's Life of Brian
    Monty Python's Life of Brian
    Trailer 1:37
    Monty Python's Life of Brian

    Photos157

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    Top cast24

    Edit
    Graham Chapman
    Graham Chapman
    • Wise Man #2…
    John Cleese
    John Cleese
    • Wise Man #1…
    Michael Palin
    Michael Palin
    • Wise Man #3…
    Terry Gilliam
    Terry Gilliam
    • Man Even Further Forward…
    Eric Idle
    Eric Idle
    • Mr. Cheeky…
    Terry Jones
    Terry Jones
    • Mandy Cohen…
    Terence Bayler
    Terence Bayler
    • Gregory
    Carol Cleveland
    Carol Cleveland
    • Mrs. Gregory
    Kenneth Colley
    Kenneth Colley
    • Jesus
    Neil Innes
    Neil Innes
    • A Weedy Samaritan
    Charles McKeown
    Charles McKeown
    • False Prophet…
    John Young
    John Young
    • Matthias, Son of Deuteronomy of Gath
    Gwen Taylor
    Gwen Taylor
    • Mrs. Big Nose
    Sue Jones-Davies
    • Judith
    Peter Brett
    John Case
    • Pilate's Wife
    Chris Langham
    Chris Langham
    • Alfonso…
    Andrew MacLachlan
    Andrew MacLachlan
    • Another Official Stoners Helper…
    • Director
      • Terry Jones
    • Writers
      • Graham Chapman
      • John Cleese
      • Terry Gilliam
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews482

    8.0428.9K
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    Featured reviews

    8TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews

    Still funny, after 25 years

    When a film is still funny 25 years after it's made, and doesn't feel particularly aged, even a quarter of a century later, then you know that you've struck gold. The famous Monty Python crew once again take a well-known subject and make a lot of fun of it. This time, the subject is religion, or, more specifically, Christianity. Everyone who knows at least a little about Christianity, which is pretty much anyone from the western world, will probably be able to laugh at something in this movie. Unless, of course, you are very Christian yourself, in that case you will probably feel that the film is blasphemous(I don't personally think so, since it makes fun of the followers and the general stupidity of people and organizations back in 30-something A.D., rather than Jesus and his teachings). The plot is about as incoherent as the usual Monty Python team film, though it should be noted that, like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, it is an actual film, and not a series of sketches, like, for example, the Meaning of Life. It's about as paced as they usually are, most of the scenes contain a lot of jokes, and then they move on to the next scene, after about five minutes of jokes and sight gags. This is, unfortunately, the problem with their films; if you don't like the jokes, the film might seem extremely slow to you; of course, one could argue that Monty Python mainly make movies for the jokes sake, but they could do better on the pacing, for the sake of viewers who don't like all those repeated jokes. That's not to say that I don't like them, I laugh at them most of the time, heck, I laughed so hard that I almost got stomach ache from it at one particular instant. But, I guess that a lot of people won't like them for this way of making movies. Oh well. You can't please everyone. The humor is great, it's standard Python wacky, crazy humor, so every Python fan should enjoy it. People who don't like Monty Python should give this a chance too, if they have at least a little humor, and they aren't Christian extremists. Christian "believers" can probably laugh at it too, like I said, it's not the religion itself, it's more the brainwashed followers that the film makes fun of. All in all, a great film for fans of the Python crew, and people who have a sense of humor about religion(a dark sense of humor, that is). I recommend it to fans of Monty Python, people who enjoy dark humor and people who can laugh a little at the less intelligent parts of Christianity. I fall into all three categories, and I loved it. 8/10
    10TheLittleSongbird

    Utterly hilarious from start to finish!

    Life of Brian may have caused controversy on release, but this has always been my personal favourite of the Monty Python movies. Why? Because it is hilarious! True, the story isn't the best component of the film, but everything else works wonders. It is essentially an irreverent and inspired send up of religious epics, and is helped brilliantly by gags and a script that is so joyfully juvenile, if extremely rude, and quotable. Quotes such as "He's not the Messiah. He is a very naughty boy" and "Welease Wodewick" had me literally peeing my pants. The sets are realistic and all of the Pythons who here take several pot shots at their favourite targets, especially Terry Jones, Graham Chapman and Michael Palin are on top form. Overall, irreverent and hilarious, a must see! 10/10 Bethany Cox
    10gogoschka-1

    One of the most intelligent comedies ever made

    Personally, I believe this to be one of the most intelligent comedies ever made. It might not appear that way at first because the film does have its share of simple slapstick and "naughty" moments, but generally, the topics the Pythons tackle here are very serious - albeit dealt with in a way that makes this a true contender for the funniest film of all time.

    A firework of hilarious sketches, timeless quotes and clever comments on the human condition, this film was deemed too dangerous for the masses and therefore, until recently, banned in several countries (normally, this only used to happen to the so called "Video Nasties").

    This film never once makes fun of Jesus (Christ) - but it DOES take the mickey out of blind, fanatic followers of any political movement or religion.

    An outstanding achievement and endlessly re-watchable.

    My vote: 10 out of 10

    Favorite films: http://www.IMDb.com/list/mkjOKvqlSBs/

    Lesser-known Masterpieces: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070242495/

    Favorite Low-Budget and B-Movies: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054808375/

    Favorite TV-Shows reviewed: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls075552387/
    8Gazzer-2

    I Think God Has A Sense Of Humor, Don't You?

    And in the 1979th year of Our Lord, God took in a screening of Monty Python's "Life Of Brian," and thought it was funny.

    He did NOT think the film was blasphemous or offensive in any way. Yea, God did admire it's incredibly clever pokes at religion and at religious fanatics, for God Himself knew the virtue of being able to laugh at one's self. He also knew before He even walked into the theater that the title character, Brian, was NOT Jesus Christ, but merely a man who was born at the same time as Christ---right next door, in fact---and became mistaken for a messiah. God settled into His seat, with popcorn in one hand and diet soda in another, and had a rollicking good time.

    He recommended "Life Of Brian" to His Son, Jesus, who went to see it the following week. He, too, thought it was a hilarious film, and immediately sang the praises of the Monty Python troupe---John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam & Michael Palin---for creating such a wonderful spoof. And He recommended the film to His friends. Have an open mind, He told them, and have fun.

    But God and His Son were quite puzzled why so many people in the Bible Belt community were so upset by "Life Of Brian"---especially the ones who hadn't even bothered to SEE the frigging film for fear of being damned for all time. And They both shook their heads in dismay. It's only a movie, They thought, and a very funny, harmless one at that. Get a life!

    But God gave Monty Python's "Life Of Brian" the power to overcome such ridiculous adversity, and today, well over two decades later, the film is rightfully regarded as a comedy classic, and one of the Python's finest works. It's *still* not a film for everybody, but does it have to be? If you're in tune with the Python's style of zany comedy, you'll enjoy "Life Of Brian."

    And praise be to Saint George Harrison, late of The Beatles, for lending the Pythons a hand in making this wonderful movie. :-)
    9j30bell

    A Masterwork of British Comedy

    In Life of Brian, Python created what John Cleese called simply "our masterpiece". As a piece of writing, it is the most impressive of the three feature length Python movies. The scenes remain episodic, but there is a much more coherent narrative than in the earlier Holy Grail – I loved HG too, but for different reasons. The characters (well about one or two of the characters) have acquired some subtle shading, which is rare in comedy and, alas, rare in British comedy in particular. The plight of Chapman's Brian is one that I really cared about (although his death is also extremely funny, upbeat and one of the truly iconic moments in British cinema).

    The story must be fairly well known. Brian is born at the same time as Jesus with whom he leads a kind of parallel life, thus allowing the team to lampoon and satirise everything from religious zealotry and mob hysteria to 1950s biblical/sword & sandals epic cinema. It does this by marrying historic situations with more modern attitudes; thus we have revolutionary Stan who wants to be Loretta and have the right to have babies, the old man who can't understand why he's being stoned for saying simply "that piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah!" the gruff centurion correcting Brian's Latin grammar while he's trying to daub anti-Roman slogans on a wall and the gentle centurion asking each of a line of the condemned "crucifixion? Good" while ticking them off on his clipboard. Interspersed with this is slapstick, pantomime women (I'm not sure there are any real women in Python, which is probably its greatest failing) and a small amount of the trademark Python surrealism (the spaceship, the "prophet" talking about the sons misplacing the things owned by their fathers who had placed them down only just a moment ago… etc). In short, something for everyone – except, perhaps, committed Christians.

    A lot of attention has been paid to whether LoB is blasphemous. The Pythons claim not and I'm not sufficiently religious to care very much. On the surface, I disagree. There are also occasional sideswipes at ancient Jewish custom – although, to be fair, only stoning which, if you'll pardon the pun, might be considered a fair target. Jesus is not criticised, but the film's central message seems to be; be in the right place at the right time and even a man called Brian can become God. Almost the last line is from Eric Idle saying; "you come from nothing and go back to nothing" which doesn't suggest that the man on the mount at the beginning is a divinity, no matter whether he's talking sense or not.

    Most importantly though, LoB is refreshingly satirical. There always was an element of this in Python (mediaeval Christian philosophy lampooned in the Holy Grail for example "this new learning amazes me Sir Bedevere, explain again how sheeps' bladders may be employed to prevent earthquakes… so, if she weighs the same as a duck, she must be made of wood, and therefore - a witch". I guess LoB attracted attention because the satire had never been so bold or obvious before. This is also what makes LoB such an incredibly funny film to watch; but put it this way – despite what Rowan Atkinson may have once said – I'd be very surprised if the Python's weren't expecting the Spanish Inquisition.

    That shouldn't put you off, though. Unless your faith is too weak to survive Python's gentle humanism, watch this movie – you'll probably love it.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Six cast members played 40 characters.
    • Goofs
      The letter U first appeared around the 14th century. At the time of Jesus, ROMANES EUNT DOMUS would be written ROMANES EVNT DOMVS.
    • Quotes

      Spectator I: I think it was "Blessed are the cheesemakers".

      Mrs. Gregory: Aha, what's so special about the cheesemakers?

      Gregory: Well, obviously it's not meant to be taken literally; it refers to any manufacturers of dairy products.

    • Crazy credits
      At the end of Idle's song "Bright Side Of Life" we can hear him saying "It's the end of the film. Incidently this record's available in the foyer. Some of us have got to live as well, you know. Who do you think pays for all this rubbish? They'll never make their money back, you know. I told him, I said to him, Bernie, I said, they'll never make their money back... That should give you enough."
    • Alternate versions
      The Criterion LD/DVD features the following deleted scenes:
      • A scene with three shepherds in the beginning of the film.
      • A scene featuring the Peoples Front of Judea breaking into Pilate's wife's bedroom, only to be defeated by her strength.
      • A scene introducing us and Brian to the suicide squad, led by King Otto (Idle).
      • A scene showing Judith releasing doves that fly out over Nazareth, and that are spotted by Otto and interpreted as "the sign that is the sign". He sends his troops into town.
      • A very brief scene showing Judith watching Brian carrying his cross through the streets; she is attacked by a salesman who wants her to haggle, resulting in her leaving.
    • Connections
      Edited into From Spam to Sperm (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Brian
      Music by André Jacquemin (as Andre Jacquemin) and Dave Howman (as David Howman)

      Lyrics by Michael Palin (uncredited)

      Arranged by John Du Prez (as Trevor Jones)

      Sung by Sonia Jones

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    FAQ22

    • How long is Monty Python's Life of Brian?Powered by Alexa
    • Why was the centurion so insistent on correcting Brian's graffiti?
    • What's the story with all the different Jewish political factions like the People's Front of Judea and the Judean People's Front and so forth?
    • Is "Life of Brian" based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 17, 1979 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • Latin
    • Also known as
      • La vida de Brian
    • Filming locations
      • Amphitheater, Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia(amphitheater)
    • Production companies
      • HandMade Films
      • Python (Monty) Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $20,206,622
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $140,034
      • Aug 19, 1979
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,833,252
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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