Monty Python's Life of Brian
Brian Cohen is an average young Jewish man, but through a series of ridiculous events, he gains a reputation as the Messiah. When he's not dodging his followers or being scolded by his shrill mother, the hapless Brian has to contend with the pompous Pontius Pilate and acronym-obsessed members of a separatist movement. Rife with Monty Python's signature absurdity, the tale finds Brian's life paralleling Biblical lore, albeit with many more laughs.
What critics thought
Broadly acclaimed on release and only more so with time, Life of Brian is now regularly cited as one of the greatest comedies ever made — though even at its warmest, critics noted that the gags are uneven and some routines fall flat before the next one rescues the film. What divides people is less whether it is funny than what it is actually satirizing: religion, organized Christianity, revolutionary politics, or simply the human tendency to misread any message of peace and tolerance.
“the foulest-spoken biblical epic ever made, as well as the best-humored—a nonstop orgy of assaults, not on anyone's virtue, but on the funny bone. It makes no difference that some of the routines fall flat because there are always others coming along immediately after that succeed.”
Vincent Canby·The New York Times
“What's endearing about the Pythons is their good cheer, their irreverence, their willingness to allow comic situations to develop through a gradual accumulation of small insanities.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“Even those of us who find Monty Python too hit-and-miss and gory must admit that its latest effort has numerous moments of hilarity.”
Kevin Thomas·Los Angeles Times
“a cruel fiction to foster the delusion that 'Brian' is bristling with blasphemous nifties and throbbing with impious wit. If only it were! One might find it easier to keep from nodding off.”
Gary Arnold·The Washington Post
“occasionally over-raucous and crude”
The Monthly Film Bulletin
Genres
Comedy
Cast & Crew
DirectorTerry Jones
StarringGraham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones
ComposerGeoffrey Burgon
Monty Python's Life of Brian
Brian Cohen is an average young Jewish man, but through a series of ridiculous events, he gains a reputation as the Messiah. When he's not dodging his followers or being scolded by his shrill mother, the hapless Brian has to contend with the pompous Pontius Pilate and acronym-obsessed members of a separatist movement. Rife with Monty Python's signature absurdity, the tale finds Brian's life paralleling Biblical lore, albeit with many more laughs.
What critics thought
Broadly acclaimed on release and only more so with time, Life of Brian is now regularly cited as one of the greatest comedies ever made — though even at its warmest, critics noted that the gags are uneven and some routines fall flat before the next one rescues the film. What divides people is less whether it is funny than what it is actually satirizing: religion, organized Christianity, revolutionary politics, or simply the human tendency to misread any message of peace and tolerance.
“the foulest-spoken biblical epic ever made, as well as the best-humored—a nonstop orgy of assaults, not on anyone's virtue, but on the funny bone. It makes no difference that some of the routines fall flat because there are always others coming along immediately after that succeed.”
Vincent Canby·The New York Times
“What's endearing about the Pythons is their good cheer, their irreverence, their willingness to allow comic situations to develop through a gradual accumulation of small insanities.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“Even those of us who find Monty Python too hit-and-miss and gory must admit that its latest effort has numerous moments of hilarity.”
Kevin Thomas·Los Angeles Times
“a cruel fiction to foster the delusion that 'Brian' is bristling with blasphemous nifties and throbbing with impious wit. If only it were! One might find it easier to keep from nodding off.”
Gary Arnold·The Washington Post
“occasionally over-raucous and crude”
The Monthly Film Bulletin
Genres
Comedy
Cast & Crew
DirectorTerry Jones
StarringGraham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones
ComposerGeoffrey Burgon