Review of Life of Brian (1979) by Tom W — 22 Sep 2014

When people discuss the greatest movies ever made, it is my view that they must either state that they are excluding comedies, or mention this film somewhere within the discussion. That's how important to the history of film I think this controversial, irreverent laugh-a-minute film truly.

The Monty Python comedy troupe tell the story of a young lad in Nazereth named Brian. Born under a bright star in a manger, Brian is visited at birth by Three Wise Men, bearing gifts of gold, frankenscence and myrhh, which are happily accepted by Brian's mother (although no-one quite knew what the myrhh was). Then, the Wise Men realize the Messiah was born next door. Hence begins the life of Brian. We follow his life as he joins the People's Front of Judea - a left-wing anarchist movement opposed to Roman occupation, and gets into hijinks that make people believe he is the Son of God. Despite Brian's complaints.

The film stars the entire Monty Python troupe - Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam - alongside guest stars Susan Jones, Neil Innes, Carol Cleveland, Spike Milligan and producer George Harrison in a cameo (George Harrison reportedly financed this entire movie by mortgaging his house. When questioned by his wife, George responded "I want to see the film".) The cast is a funny, nonsensical and silly as you'd expect from a Monty Python film.

It touted controversy as "the film that mocked Jesus", but this film makes it very clear that Jesus is a different person (who is even seen performing his Sermon on the Mount in the "Blessed are the Cheesemakers" skit). What's left in a mirror into the role of religion in life, and a hilarious one at that. Nothing is sacred with the Pythons, and this is the group's magnum opus - with all due respect to the Holy Grail of course.

A glowing 5 star rating for this masterpiece.