Monty Python's Life of Brian

Name: Monty Python's Life of Brian
Genre: Comedy
Released: August 17, 1979
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 77
Cast: Carol Cleveland, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Kenneth Colley

1979

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Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 234 Ratings

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 234 Ratings

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Monty Python's Life Of Brian

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Movie Details & Credits

Orion Pictures Corporation | Release Date: August 17, 1979 | R

Starring: Carol Cleveland, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Kenneth Colley, Michael Palin, Neil Innes, Terence Bayler, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones

Summary: Monty Python delivers the group's sharpest and smartest satire of both religion and Hollywood's epic films. Set in 33 A.D. Judea where the exasperated Romans try to impose order, it is a time of chaos and change with no shortage of messiahs and followers willing to believe them. At it's center is Brian Cohen, born in Bethlehem in a stableMonty Python delivers the group's sharpest and smartest satire of both religion and Hollywood's epic films. Set in 33 A.D. Judea where the exasperated Romans try to impose order, it is a time of chaos and change with no shortage of messiahs and followers willing to believe them. At it's center is Brian Cohen, born in Bethlehem in a stable next door, who, by a series of absurd circumstances is caught up in the new religion and reluctantly mistake for the promised messiah, providing ample opportunity for the entire ensemble (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin) to shine in multiple roles as they question everyone and everything from ex-lepers, Pontius Pilate and haggling to revolutionaries, crazy prophets, religious fanaticism, Roman centurions and crucifixion, forever changing our biblical view. [Sony Pictures]… Expand

Director: Terry Jones

Genre(s): Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 94 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

But what a triumph this film was for Chapman, who gave a convincing, touching performance as the bewildered everyman who decides to make a stand, and in his battle with the evil empire makes a Luke Skywalker-style discovery about his lineage. Life of Brian is an unexpectedly earnest, sweet-natured hymn to the idea of tolerance. Read full review

100

Robert Abele

Astringently funny masterpiece. Read full review

100

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

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

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

Dave Kehr

Sluggish, repetitive, and strangely timorous, with little of the zap and imagination of the Pythons' television work. Read full review

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User Reviews

DamienDarko777

May 7, 2011

My Favorite Python movie, besides Holy Grail and the rest. You'd have to be a total retard not to love this stuff. That's all there is to it. Um, still need more letters.... Trying to post review.... There we go.

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

Achspman

Feb 1, 2021

Who doesn't love this movie? a mix of stupidity, sketch comedy, and well... Monty python

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilmQueen

Oct 30, 2015

I absolutely love this movie! It's full of jokes,it poke fun at people's stupidity, especially religious groups. I don't understand why Brian's mother is played by a male actor, but I don't mind it at all, because he was hilarious. Everything in this movie is hilarious and perfect, myI absolutely love this movie! It's full of jokes,it poke fun at people's stupidity, especially religious groups. I don't understand why Brian's mother is played by a male actor, but I don't mind it at all, because he was hilarious. Everything in this movie is hilarious and perfect, my favourite part is where they catch Brian writing graffiti on the wall.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

NickJ.

Sep 10, 2009

Extremely witty references as always, and the spaceship provides a bit of craziness in this Monty Python classic.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

drlowdon

Jun 4, 2022

When Brian Cohen is born in a stable next door to the one in which Jesus is born, he is subsequently mistaken for the Messiah, which results in a whole heap of trouble. There are one or two moments that wouldn’t exactly be considered politically correct in this day and age, but TheWhen Brian Cohen is born in a stable next door to the one in which Jesus is born, he is subsequently mistaken for the Messiah, which results in a whole heap of trouble. There are one or two moments that wouldn’t exactly be considered politically correct in this day and age, but The Life of Brian remains a brilliantly funny satire of organised religion full of quotes that are still cited forty years after this movie first hit cinema screens.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 23, 2021

A very silly, eccentric/surreal type comedy watch from the Monty Python team, this is well worth a watch. Some scenes, I felt, worked better than others but there were enough funny moments to keep me entertained regardless. I particularly enjoyed the stoning scene and ones where JohnA very silly, eccentric/surreal type comedy watch from the Monty Python team, this is well worth a watch. Some scenes, I felt, worked better than others but there were enough funny moments to keep me entertained regardless. I particularly enjoyed the stoning scene and ones where John Cleese's character gets very wound up! (no change there then referencing Fawlty Towers et al). I also liked the over the top/shrill tone of voice used for some characters. Its silly and entertaining, with the usual Monty Python opening titles, with words in lumps of stone falling around and things. I'd recommend this film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SkebF.

Apr 29, 2007

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.

0 of 5 users found this helpful

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