I am 41 years of age and live in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. I am a single parent with a little b...
I am 41 years of age and live in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. I am a single parent with a little boy who is 6 years.
Member since:09.03.2007
Reviews:22
Members who trust:29
Brian or Jesus or a Comedy of Christ – More than just funny its sacrilegious =======================================================
Circa 1979 Tunisia, aka Judea 0 AD. A star is above Bethlehem, and it is bringing three wise men to find their messiah, the king of kings. Immediately I am on rocky ground as a non believer, as I delve into my shaky religious past and teachings. To date [1min] though the plot seems to follow accepted biblical historic accounts of the events. With gold, frankincense and “balm” they meet the ever so glam mum of the new born king. The elegancy of the new king’s mum, steals your imagination, and the baby well we all now the bible story, it is of course, “Brian”.
This is a highly satirical and scathing depiction of religion attacking the Christian belief right to its core. We see the magic of the Pythons at its very best as they pop up at every turn, as Romans, Judeans and Trotskyite Disciples of Jesus, aka the PFJ (Peoples Front of Judea). I can’t help feeling that this is a little pop at the politics of my own Northern Ireland, and if so it’s a pity they
did not hit this one a little harder. This was the third outing of the Pythons which included …………
Interlude to Main Story – Cast ======================
Graham Chapman John Cleese Terry Gilliam Eric Idle Terry Jones Michael Palin
Back to the main Story =================
The story shows the hard put upon Romans attempt to bring order and civilisation to a rebellious Judean nation who’s main forum of entertainment is to go and watch a good stoning. Women with beards being the most enthusiastic spectators and indeed participants, despite being officially banned from this.
We start to see the life of our main character, Brian [Cohen] unfold, having narrowly missed out becoming the messiah, in this nation of messiahs, and only by one pig sty. Brian miss’s a life of fame, and his place in history ………… or does he?
Cleese puts in a superb performance throughout the whole film. The manic personality which so characterised his performance as Basil Fawlty is the core of his style during this film. Despite being around the Brian character, Cleese is to me the key figure in the film and it is his performance that supports the whole film. His tough humour just binds the film.
Brian, having discovered that his former prostitute mum, has dealt him a Roman Lineage, decides in an act of rebellion to join the PFJ to fight against the oppression of Roman rule, which when reviewed demonstrates the Roman philanthropic aspirations that has brought to Judea; Law & Order, Roads, Water, Baths, Civilisation, Sanitation, Medicine, Education, Wine ………….!
The newly appointed / promoted terrorist Brian, soon finds through fate, that is the Holy Lands latest messiah. He then promptly ends up in the sack with his sister disciple / terrorist Judith, and in a scene 25 years ahead of “Nottinghill” opens the window to be corned by the masses chanting “Brian, Brian, Brian”. The newest messiah on the block, full of popularity, is now arrested by Pilot to be crucified, as crucifixion approaches, Palin / Pilot, organises a party, “lets have a parade through the street”. Who is to be released, the crowd can choose, and Brian’s name is hailed. But the PFJ have decided, a martyred Brian is good for politics and religion! Hanging on the cross, we end with “Always look on the bright side of life”, as 140 good people just hang around on crucifixion, or maybe its death!
“Life of Brian” was widely acclaimed, widely criticised by the religious right and moderates. It was banned as blasphemous, which it probably is, but differing opinions is not a reason to censor something. History has shown us what happens when we burn books and are afraid to look at other views of history. I think the blend of anarchy and irreverent humour strikes at the core of uncovering the truth about all religions zealously to dogma. I, coming from Northern Ireland, see it taking a good smack at the Northern Ireland in the 70’s.
Watch it if you dare!!!!!!!
Features ======
Trailers Special Feature – “The Pythons” – this looks at the making of this film and others. It’s a bit grainy but a good watch
Favourite Quote [though there are so many] ============
“there are worse ways to die than crucifixion …………….you could be stabbed ………….. at least it gets you out in the open air”
Facts ====
Certificate 15 UK & Ireland 90 mins Widescreen Dolby Digital 5.1
Copyright 2007 Greg Smyth, Bigfatdogs
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Director: Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Carol Cleveland, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Production Year: 2004 - Comedy - Director: John Hay - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jimi Mistry, Kate Miles, Dougray Scott
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
I love this film - you've made some very intelligent points in this review. (Michael Palin's eyes when he's playing Pilate always get me - and Terry Jones' impression of some kind of animal with horns in the stable!)
torr 10.05.2007 00:21
Definitely a classic. Duncan
kappaslappa 01.05.2007 13:22
Hee hee I love this film it is so brilliantly funny... "Woderick"...
There is not a single joke, sight-gag or one-liner inMonty Python's Life of Brianthat will ... more
not forever burn itself into the viewer's memory as being just as funny as it is possible to be, but--extraordinarily--almost every indestructibly hilarious scen...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
There is not a single joke, sight-gag or one-liner inMonty Python's Life of Brianthat will ... more
not forever burn itself into the viewer's memory as being just as funny as it is possible to be, but--extraordinarily--almost every indestructibly hilarious scen...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
You could say this is one of the greatest comedies ever but the Monty Python team said it ... more
first! Life of Brian is all about (and here's the big surprise) the life of Brian who was born in a Bethlehem manger next door to Jesus. Three wise men believe ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Monty Python delivers a scathing, anarchic satire of both religion and Hollywood's ... more
depiction of all things biblical with their second film. The setting is Judea 33 A.D., a time of poverty and chaos, with no shortage of messiahs, followers willing to be...
Advantages: A collection of all the great Monty Python movies Disadvantages: Some movies, ie., Monty Python and the Meaning of Life, have no extra features
![Monty Python's Life Of Brian [DVD] [1979]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78524233.jpg "Monty Python's Life Of Brian [DVD] [1979]")
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