Monty Python's Life Of Brian
(1979)
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Monty Python delivers a scathing, anarchic satire of both religion and Hollywood's depiction of all things biblical with their second--and tightest--full-length film. The setting is the Holy Land in 33 A.D., a time of poverty and chaos, with no shortage of messiahs, followers willing to believe in them, and exasperated Romans trying to impose some order. At the center of it all is Brian Cohen (Graham Chapman), a reluctant would-be messiah who rises to prominence as a result of a series of absurd and truly hilarious circumstances that parallel the life of Christ--providing ample opportunity for the entire ensemble (John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Chapman) to shine in multiple roles as they blaspheme and mock everyone and everything from ex-lepers, Pontius Pilate, and the art of haggling to crazy prophets, Roman centurions, and crucifixion. |
This inspired send-up of religious epics was surrounded by controversy on its release, but it is, nevertheless, the Monty Python team's most assured and satisfying cinematic work. Graham Chapman (“he's not the Messiah, he's just a naughty boy”) is the Judaean whose life bears some resemblance to that of a certain carpenter's around the same time, although the shambling story serves mainly as an excuse for the assembled Pythons to take pot shots at some of their favourite targets and serve up some joyfully juvenile gags. Michael Palin has some memorable roles, notably the Roman governor with a speech impediment (“Welease Wodewick”), and there's a very funny and quite irrelevant cameo from Spike Milligan.
Halliwell's Film Guide
Controversial middle-eastern romp which left its creators battered but extremely wealthy. The hilarious Spartacus-like finale, with a crucified choir singing 'Look on the Bright Side of Life' hints at what might have been: a brilliant comedy rather