Monty Python's Life of Brian

Original title: Life of Brian

1979
R
1h 34m

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

426K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

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Dark Comedy Parody Satire Comedy

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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

426K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

2,510

654

See production info at IMDbPro

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

User reviews478

Review

Featured review

8/10

Razor sharp, and still holds up

Marvelous satire of religion and its followers - how the message is distorted, how factions invariably form and fight one another, and how blind worship quickly replaces reason (and even kindness). After the Sermon on the Mount is delivered to a crowd who mostly can't hear Jesus and squabble among themselves, one guy walks off commenting "What Jesus fails to appreciate is that it's the meek who are the problem," in shades of the conservative view in 1979 and today. Mostly it's just good, sacrilegious fun, sometimes venturing into territory that's now frowned upon (like making fun of a speech impediment), but overall very creative and intelligent. Here's another funny bit:

Brian: Look, you've got it all wrong! You don't need to follow me! You don't need to follow anybody! You've got to think for yourselves! You're all individuals! Crowd, as one: Yes! We're all individuals! Brian: You're all different! Crowd, as one: Yes, we're all different!