The Monty Python team get together for this last feature-length outing. The Pythons explain it all in this episodic, bawdy adventure as they satirise religion, birth control,... more
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Life was always going to feel less ambitious and less coherent than their cinematic masterpiece, The Life of Brian. And inevitably given the format, some sketches are better than others. But, for a movie that has been much-maligned, The Meaning of Life actually features some of the Pythons' most memorable set-pieces: the exploding Mr Creosote has to be the most wonderfully grotesque creation of a team whose speciality was the grotesque; while the sublime "Sperm Song" mixes satire and lavish visual humour in a musical skit of breathtaking audacity. Elsewhere, Eric Idle produces another musical gem with "The Universe Song" ("Pray that there's intelligent life somewhere out in space / 'Cause there's bugger all down here on earth!"), while the Grim Reaper's appearance at an achingly tedious dinner party is the Pythons doing what they do best: mocking their own middle-class origins. Best of all, perhaps, is Terry Gilliam's modest introductory feature, "The Crimson Permanent Assurance", a 20-minute epic tale of the little men rebelling against the corporate system, a theme and a visual style that foreshadows his own masterwork, Brazil. Admittedly too many sketches sacrifice subtlety for shock tactics (the organ donation scene in particular requires a strong stomach), but when this film works it's nothing less than vintage Python. --Mark Walker
are up to the task of tackling a subject as weighty as the Meaning of Life. Sure, Kierkegaard, Wittgenstein, and their ilk have tried their hands at this puzzler, but only Python has attempted to do so within the commercial motion picture medium. Happily for us all, Monty Python's the Meaning of Life truly explains everything one conceivably needs to know about the perplexities of human existence, from the mysteries of Catholic doctrine to the miracle of reproduction to why one should avoid the salmon mousse to the critical importance of the machine that goes ping! Using fish as a linking device (and what marvelous links those aquatic creatures make), The Meaning of Life is presented as a series of sketches: a musical production number about why seed is sacred; a look at dining in the afterlife; the quest for a missing fish (there they are again); a visit from Mr. Death; the cautionary tale of Mr. Creosote and his rather gluttonous appetite; an unflinching examination of the harsh realities of organ donation, and so on. Sadly, this was the last original Python film, but it's a beaut. You'll laugh. You'll cry (probably because you're laughing so hard). You may even learn something about the Meaning of Life. Or at least about how fish fit into the grand scheme of things. --Jim Emerson
are up to the task of tackling a subject as weighty as the Meaning of Life. Sure, Kierkegaard, Wittgenstein, and their ilk have tried their hands at this puzzler, but only Python has attempted to do so within the commercial motion picture medium. Happily for us all, Monty Python's the Meaning of Life truly explains everything one conceivably needs to know about the perplexities of human existence, from the mysteries of Catholic doctrine to the miracle of reproduction to why one should avoid the salmon mousse to the critical importance of the machine that goes ping! Using fish as a linking device (and what marvelous links those aquatic creatures make), The Meaning of Life is presented as a series of sketches: a musical production number about why seed is sacred; a look at dining in the afterlife; the quest for a missing fish (there they are again); a visit from Mr. Death; the cautionary tale of Mr. Creosote and his rather gluttonous appetite; an unflinching examination of the harsh realities of organ donation, and so on. Sadly, this was the last original Python film, but it's a beaut. You'll laugh. You'll cry (probably because you're laughing so hard). You may even learn something about the Meaning of Life. Or at least about how fish fit into the grand scheme of things. --Jim Emerson
Actor(s): Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
Director(s): Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam
Genre: Comedy
Classification: 15 years and over
Production Year: 1983
Running Time: 4 hours 7 minutes
Franchise Name: Monty Python
Video Category: Feature Film
Country Of Origin: United Kingdom
Plot: Truly outrageous Monty Python film about the mystery of birth, death, and everything in between!
Release details
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio(s): UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK; UNIVERSAL MUSIC OPERATIONS
Release date: 17/05/2004
No of Discs: 2
Catalogue No: 8207245
Barcode: 5050582072457
Languages
Main Language: English
Hearing Impaired Language: English
DVD Description
The Monty Python team get together for this last feature-length outing. The Pythons explain it all in this episodic, bawdy adventure as they satirise religion, birth control, British politics, Americans, hospitals and of course sex. Amongst the highlights are the "Every Sperm is Sacred" episode that starts off the film, and the grim reaper visiting a bourgeois dinner party where there are some fishy goings on, and the gross Mr Creosote.
Technical information
Special Features: Eric Idle Introduction, Feature Commentary With Terry Jones And Terry Gilliam, Soundtrack For The Lonely, Directors Cut With Three Deleted Scenes, The Meaning Of The Making Of The Meaning Of Life, Educational Tips To Prepare You For Life In The Real World, Un Film De John Cleese A New Trailer For The John Cleese Version Of The Film, Remastering A Masterpiece How To Revive An Old Master, Song And Dance A Featurette About Two Of The Films Musical Numbers, Songs Unsung Alternate Versions Of The Original Songs, In Your Face Promotional Material Selling The Meaning Of Life, Virtual Reunion The Pythons Together Again, What Fish Think Go Into The Minds Of Fish, The Snipped Bits Deleted Scenes, DVD ROM Features
Aspect Ratio: Wide Screen
Sound: DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound: DTS 5.1 English Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Professional reviews
Review: "...A monumental revue, the BEN HUR of sketch films..." (New York Times, p.C13, 31/03/1983)
"...Funny....The seasoned British comedy troupe has this time come up with an expertly biting, off-the-wall satire of life's various passages..." (Variety, 23/03/1983)
Advantages: Top class humour Disadvantages: Might offend some people
...'t get it. This film is excellent and you have to see it, especially if you are a fan of MontyPython's Flying Circus. I also recommend that you check out the other MontyPython films, The Meaning of Life and The Holy Grail....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Genius Disadvantages: Slows to the end
...Excellent This film is jam packed with surreal wacky and obscure humour that made the MontyPython gang the king of comedy that they are today. Pure Genius! I his takes you through the many stages of life from birth through killing people to death. My favourite bit in the whole film is the Every Sperm Is Sacred scene which will be forever etched into my memory as one of the greatest movie moments of all time. A load of great sketched punctuated by the well-known Gilliam animation does, in my opinion, slow a bit towards the end. Unmistakably Python....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
...This film is a must for all MontyPython fans worldwide. If you have not seen it go out and rent it now. Python humour at it’s best
What can you say about this film that has not already been said by someone else. The following few words more than adequately sums up this excellent film. Side splittingly funny, outrageous, clever, memorable, pure genius. What more do I need to say.
This is one of my all time favourite films along, of course, with Python’s other films. See the Python team at their very best. I watch it again and again. It is so funny....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
helpful 06.10.2000
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