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"Blessed are the cheesemakers," a wise man once said. Or maybe not. But the point is Monty Python's Life of Brian is a religious satire that does not target specific religions or religious leaders (like, say, Jesus of Nazareth). Instead, it pokes fun at the mindless and fanatical among their followers--it's an attack on religious zealotry and hypocrisy--things that that fellow from Nazareth didn't particularly care for either. Nevertheless, at the time of its release in 1979, those who hadn't seen it considered it to be quite "controversial."
Life of Brian, you see, is about a chap named Brian (Graham Chapman) born December 25 in a hovel not far from a soon-to-be-famous Bethlehem manger. Brian is mistaken for the messiah and, therefore, manipulated, abused, and exploited by various religious and political factions. And it's really, really funny. Particularly memorable bits include the brassy Shirley Bassey/James Bond-like title song; the bitter rivalry between the anti-Roman resistance groups, the Judean People's Front and the People's Front of Judea; Michael Palin's turn as a lisping, risible Pontius Pilate; Brian urging a throng of false-idol worshippers to think for themselves--to which they reply en masse "Yes, we must think for ourselves!"; the fact that everything Brian does, including losing his sandal in an attempt to flee these wackos, is interpreted as "a sign." Life of Brian is not only one of Monty Python's funniest achievements, it's also the group's sharpest and smartest sustained satire. Blessed are the Pythons. --Jim Emerson
Customer Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Oliver
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
I'm not the type who watches movies more than once, but I've probably seen Monty Python's Life of Brian about 20 times. Brian is born in Bethlehem on the same day as Jesus and, throughout his life, is continually mistaken for Jesus. In the end, he too is crucified. On one level, the movie is a comedy, bordering on slap-stick. It is a smashing success on that surface level. Just below the surface, however, it contains far more serious social commentary, and it was actually banned in Britain for a time.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Neil Olsen
Format:DVD
There is so much in this film - comedy, satire, allegory, the list goes on. It is still as relevant today as it was 30 years ago and just as controversial. It was a courageous film then and still is. As an expose of the gullibility of society at large, it is timeless and infinitely clever. It is a biting satire of the self serving nature of human society as a whole, and its themes can be seen throughout history. Top that all off with the superb comedy of the Python team and their ability to play a myriad of classic characters and you have a film people will be talking about for generations to come. The bonus material about the making of the film and the controvesy it caused and the several misguided attempts at banning it, provide a fascinating backdrop to a film as big as the subjects it took on. One of the greats!
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Let it never be said that Monty Python didn't offend some people over the years with their unique brand of humor. But, for all of those not offended, and you know who you are, you will be pleasantly entertained by this film. For all of you who are offended, I believe there is a fine nature program on TV tonight about the mating rituals of the leatherback sea turtle...
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4.6 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Laugh Out Loud!
My family are big Python Fans. We have several of their DVD's and needed to have this for the collection. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Sandi Norman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie
Nothing to say. Pure classic, pure genius, pure laughs. It's a must for every comedy fan. Thank you Monthy Python!
Published 3 months ago by Timothée-William
5.0 out of 5 stars
Monty Python's Life of Brian
Hilarious movie. If you love Monty Python you will love this movie. It was very funny. I highly recommend it to Python lovers.
Published 19 months ago by Charmaine
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarioous and sad
This satire on the Roman occupation of Israel in the troubled times of Jesus is brilliant, strangely historically correct, and laugh aloud sad. Very clever.
Published on Jan 29 2011 by Veda
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant film
This film is off the best films of all time and probably, defiantly the greatest comedy films of all times (the only one near is Monty Python and the Holy Grail). Read more
Published on Sep 5 2010 by Ben Nicholson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Monty Python Life of Brian
Received the DVD promptly and in excellent condition, well packaged and properly addressed. Thanks!
Published on July 7 2010 by J. Willett
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Life of Brian
This movie was totally politically incorrect but also totally funny! Tastefully incorrect mind you, not grossly incorrect. Read more
Published on Mar 14 2010 by kel
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Favorite Movie
I'm not the type who watches movies more than once, but I've probably seen Monty Python's Life of Brian about 20 times. Read more
Published on Jan 31 2010 by Oliver
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good movie, but not one of Python's best
By all means, you could check out this movie as there are some hilarious moments in it, but it is kind of slow moving or drags in portions, and in others it almost gets too witty... Read more
Published on Nov 10 2006 by Kevin Deluca
5.0 out of 5 stars
Is nothing sacred? NO! And that's why this is a riot!
Irreverent, brilliant, ingenius... I'm getting all these words out of the way now before I forget them! Even though I'll probably use them a dozen times! Read more
Published on Jun 22 2004 by Rocco Dormarunno
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