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Monty Python's Life of Brian (re-release)

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 14 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Classic | Comedy
Written by:
Graham Chapman,
John Cleese, Terry Gilliam,
Eric Idle, Terry Jones,
Michael Palin
Directed by: Terry Jones
Release Date:
Theatrical: April 30, 2004
DVD: November 16, 1999
Running Time: 94 minutes, Color
Origin: UK
Summary
RATING: R
Starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Terence Bayler, and Carol Cleveland
The 25th anniversary re-release of the Monty Python classic.
Also On Metacritic
FILM: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database View The Trailer Official Studio Site Landmark Theatres Profile
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
ReelViews James Berardinelli
It has been said that a Monty Python movie is only successful if it offends everyone in the audience at least once. By that measuring stick as well as nearly any other, The Life of Brian is an unqualified triumph. It makes us confront our foibles and laugh at them.
Read Full Review >Portland Oregonian Marc Mohan
As far as a coherent, hilarious story line, as well as sheer blasphemous glee, you can't do much better than "Life of Brian."
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan
The more things change, the more we have to laugh if we are to have a prayer of remaining sane, and the Pythons are the best possible step in that direction.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe Ty Burr
"No God and no religion can survive ridicule," wrote Mark Twain, but for once the sage of Hannibal was wrong.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Staff (Not Credited)
While it may lack the sheer comic anarchy of their other work, Life of Brian may be probably the funniest collective efforts concocted by the British comedy troupe "Monty Python's Flying Circus," is their most sustained effort. (Review of Original Release)
Read Full Review >Variety Staff (Not Credited)
Just as wacky and imaginative as their earlier film outings. (Review of Original Release)
Read Full Review >Dallas Observer Gregory Weinkauf
Brian's brilliant, saved itself by benefactor George Harrison, who ponied up the budget of 2 million pounds...simply because he loved the script when industry bigwigs turned characteristically chicken. Its overall irreverence proves a lasting balm for the ages. Thank you, Pythons, for setting such a high and enduring standard.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Ann Hornaday
Given the current heightened tenor of religious rhetoric and paranoia, it may well wind up pushing brand-new buttons today. To quote Michael Palin quoting Jesus, "There's just no pleasing some people."
Read Full Review >Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
Funny, in that peculiar British way where jokes are told sideways, with the obvious point and then the delayed zinger.
Read Full Review >Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey
Blessed are the Pythons for making holy wit of the Holy Writ.
Read Full Review >Village Voice J. Hoberman
Monty Python's Life of Brian, re-released on its 25th anniversary as an antidote to "The Passion of the Christ," is a single-joke satire of organized religion, including Hollywood's.
Read Full Review >The New Yorker Anthony Lane
For all its scruffiness, the lurching strike-rate of its gags, and the unmistakable smell of amateur dramatics given off by its repertory of rotating players with their stick-on Ted Nugent beards, Life of Brian jitters with good will. [3 May 2004, p. 110]
Chicago Reader Dave Kehr
Sluggish, repetitive, and strangely timorous, with little of the zap and imagination of the Pythons' television work.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 14 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Kent C. gave it a9:
You don't need to understand British humor to laugh here. Although some of the lines are hard to understand because of the heavy accents, This is one of the funniest movies I've seen. I'm not religious at all, so this movie didn't offend me one bit, I'm sure most of the people who gave it bad scores were offended by the religious jokes. I especially loved the "Spartacus" reference near the end. The only thing that bogged it down was that lame alien scene. It was pointless and stupid.
R W gave it an8:
Not as good as The Holy Grail, but still funny none the less.
Skeb F. gave it a0:
THE worst movie I have ever seen. I faked laughed a lot cause my friend was laughing. The jokes are sooo terrible. I absolutly HATE this movie.
Chris P. gave it a10:
Great movie.
Colin N. gave it a 10:
Wonderful.
Rick G. gave it a 10:
The scene that cracks me up the most in this very funny movie has to be the Coliseum scene where Brian first meets up with the Judean People's Liberation Front, or whatever they call themselves. Brian is vending food for the handful of spectators in the mostly empty Coliseum. Meanwhile, they boo as they watch a skinny prisoner in loin cloth running around the pit of the Coliseum while being chased by a gladiator, who has a heart attack and dies. Of course, the verbal antics of Pilate and his friend Biggus Dickus is laugh riot as well. One of the funniest films of all time. Catch it on the big screen if and when you can in your town.
