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Monty Python's Life of Brian

Original title: Life of Brian
  • 1979
  • R
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
431K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,116
95
John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Monty Python in Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
Watch Trailer
Play trailer2:51
2 Videos
99+ Photos
Dark ComedyParodySatireComedy

Born on the original Christmas in the stable next door to Jesus Christ, Brian of Nazareth spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.Born on the original Christmas in the stable next door to Jesus Christ, Brian of Nazareth spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.Born on the original Christmas in the stable next door to Jesus Christ, Brian of Nazareth spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.

  • Director
    • Terry Jones
  • Writers
    • Graham Chapman
    • John Cleese
    • Terry Gilliam
  • Stars
    • Graham Chapman
    • John Cleese
    • Michael Palin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    431K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,116
    95
    • Director
      • Terry Jones
    • Writers
      • Graham Chapman
      • John Cleese
      • Terry Gilliam
    • Stars
      • Graham Chapman
      • John Cleese
      • Michael Palin
    • 484User reviews
    • 111Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:51
    Trailer
    Monty Python's Life of Brian
    Trailer 1:37
    Monty Python's Life of Brian
    Monty Python's Life of Brian
    Trailer 1:37
    Monty Python's Life of Brian

    Photos158

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    Top cast24

    Edit
    Graham Chapman
    Graham Chapman
    • Wise Man #2…
    John Cleese
    John Cleese
    • Wise Man #1…
    Michael Palin
    Michael Palin
    • Wise Man #3…
    Terry Gilliam
    Terry Gilliam
    • Man Even Further Forward…
    Eric Idle
    Eric Idle
    • Mr. Cheeky…
    Terry Jones
    Terry Jones
    • Mandy Cohen…
    Terence Bayler
    Terence Bayler
    • Gregory
    Carol Cleveland
    Carol Cleveland
    • Mrs. Gregory
    Kenneth Colley
    Kenneth Colley
    • Jesus
    Neil Innes
    Neil Innes
    • A Weedy Samaritan
    Charles McKeown
    Charles McKeown
    • False Prophet…
    John Young
    John Young
    • Matthias, Son of Deuteronomy of Gath
    Gwen Taylor
    Gwen Taylor
    • Mrs. Big Nose
    Sue Jones-Davies
    • Judith
    Peter Brett
    John Case
    • Pilate's Wife
    Chris Langham
    Chris Langham
    • Alfonso…
    Andrew MacLachlan
    Andrew MacLachlan
    • Another Official Stoners Helper…
    • Director
      • Terry Jones
    • Writers
      • Graham Chapman
      • John Cleese
      • Terry Gilliam
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews484

    8.0430.9K
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    Featured reviews

    10the_barnacle

    'Do you find it wisible...when I say the name...Biggus...Dickus?'

    Famous lines from Michael Palin as Pontius Pilate...and also my favourite lines from this wondrous film. This is not a piece of criticism, just an exhibition of love. For those of you who believe that Holy Grail is better - I'm sorry to inform you that you're wrong. Life of Brian has such good consistent humour that really can't be beaten. The variety and range of characters the Pythons play is sublime. The chemistry they have with each of other is what makes the film work so well. I won't ramble on anymore because most of what I want to say has already been said!

    Afterthought: Well, what is myrrh anyway?
    10TheLittleSongbird

    Utterly hilarious from start to finish!

    Life of Brian may have caused controversy on release, but this has always been my personal favourite of the Monty Python movies. Why? Because it is hilarious! True, the story isn't the best component of the film, but everything else works wonders. It is essentially an irreverent and inspired send up of religious epics, and is helped brilliantly by gags and a script that is so joyfully juvenile, if extremely rude, and quotable. Quotes such as "He's not the Messiah. He is a very naughty boy" and "Welease Wodewick" had me literally peeing my pants. The sets are realistic and all of the Pythons who here take several pot shots at their favourite targets, especially Terry Jones, Graham Chapman and Michael Palin are on top form. Overall, irreverent and hilarious, a must see! 10/10 Bethany Cox
    8gbill-74877

    Razor sharp, and still holds up

    Marvelous satire of religion and its followers - how the message is distorted, how factions invariably form and fight one another, and how blind worship quickly replaces reason (and even kindness). After the Sermon on the Mount is delivered to a crowd who mostly can't hear Jesus and squabble among themselves, one guy walks off commenting "What Jesus fails to appreciate is that it's the meek who are the problem," in shades of the conservative view in 1979 and today. Mostly it's just good, sacrilegious fun, sometimes venturing into territory that's now frowned upon (like making fun of a speech impediment), but overall very creative and intelligent. Here's another funny bit:

    Brian: Look, you've got it all wrong! You don't need to follow me! You don't need to follow anybody! You've got to think for yourselves! You're all individuals! Crowd, as one: Yes! We're all individuals! Brian: You're all different! Crowd, as one: Yes, we're all different!
    7framptonhollis

    one of the funniest films of all time

    Monty Python...do I even need to say more?

    They were obviously some of the funniest people on the planet-British or otherwise, and this can clearly be expressed in their filmography, which also includes the beloved comedy classic "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". Personally, it's somewhat difficult for em to come up with which of their films is the finest and funniest-but I think it just might be "Life of Brian".

    While the group has always had a satirical edge, "Life of Brian" is easily their most satirical work, as it mocks countless things in an extremely creative and entertaining fashion. The film is quite controversial due to it concerning religion, and injecting humor into subjects such as Jesus Christ's crucifixion, but it is more than just a film that mocks only religion. There are jokes throughout that satirize everything from political correctness to science fiction. It's a funny movie, and its targets are seemingly endless.

    This is an inventive classic of comedy, filled with memorable and famous moments from start to finish.
    O'Hanrahanrahan

    Disgraceful depiction of the Popular Front.

    For many years I have worked tirelessly to promote the aims of the Popular Front of Judea, and quite frankly I'm disgusted at its treatment of us. To depict us as a lonely old man is one of the most grotesque distortions ever commited to celluloid. We are at least three times that number, and furthermore we don't have a single repressed transexual among us. An absolute disgrace. I shall never watch this film again, unless I rent it out on video or see it on the TV in the near future. Vive la PFJ.

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    Related interests

    Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sian Clifford in Fleabag (2016)
    Dark Comedy
    Bill Pullman, John Candy, Joan Rivers, Daphne Zuniga, and Lorene Yarnell Jansson in Spaceballs (1987)
    Parody
    Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
    Satire
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Six cast members played 40 characters.
    • Goofs
      The letter U first appeared around the 14th century. At the time of Jesus, ROMANES EUNT DOMUS would be written ROMANES EVNT DOMVS.
    • Quotes

      Spectator I: I think it was "Blessed are the cheesemakers".

      Mrs. Gregory: Aha, what's so special about the cheesemakers?

      Gregory: Well, obviously it's not meant to be taken literally; it refers to any manufacturers of dairy products.

    • Crazy credits
      At the end of Idle's song "Bright Side Of Life" we can hear him saying "It's the end of the film. Incidently this record's available in the foyer. Some of us have got to live as well, you know. Who do you think pays for all this rubbish? They'll never make their money back, you know. I told him, I said to him, Bernie, I said, they'll never make their money back... That should give you enough."
    • Alternate versions
      The Criterion LD/DVD features the following deleted scenes:
      • A scene with three shepherds in the beginning of the film.
      • A scene featuring the Peoples Front of Judea breaking into Pilate's wife's bedroom, only to be defeated by her strength.
      • A scene introducing us and Brian to the suicide squad, led by King Otto (Idle).
      • A scene showing Judith releasing doves that fly out over Nazareth, and that are spotted by Otto and interpreted as "the sign that is the sign". He sends his troops into town.
      • A very brief scene showing Judith watching Brian carrying his cross through the streets; she is attacked by a salesman who wants her to haggle, resulting in her leaving.
    • Connections
      Edited into From Spam to Sperm (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Brian
      Music by André Jacquemin (as Andre Jacquemin) and Dave Howman (as David Howman)

      Lyrics by Michael Palin (uncredited)

      Arranged by John Du Prez (as Trevor Jones)

      Sung by Sonia Jones

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    FAQ22

    • How long is Monty Python's Life of Brian?Powered by Alexa
    • Why was the centurion so insistent on correcting Brian's graffiti?
    • What's the story with all the different Jewish political factions like the People's Front of Judea and the Judean People's Front and so forth?
    • Is "Life of Brian" based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 17, 1979 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • Latin
    • Also known as
      • La vida de Brian
    • Filming locations
      • Amphitheater, Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia(amphitheater)
    • Production companies
      • HandMade Films
      • Python (Monty) Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $20,206,622
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $140,034
      • Aug 19, 1979
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,833,252
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 34m(94 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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