It's okay. Not really for younger kids. When my kid was 5, I thought it would be okay for him. Within the first half hour I turned it off. Don't try watching it with a younger child
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Edgy Python schtick better for older viewers.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–16
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Monty Python's The Meaning of Life was written by Afsheen Nomai
Parents need to know that this movie is decidedly more mature (if one can use that word with this hilarious crew) than other Python offerings as it tackles death, sex, religion, war, and more all with the expected heavy doses of satire and sarcasm. Monty Python is well known for its lampoons of religion and this movie has a song called "Every Sperm is Sacred." It pokes fun at the Catholic religion. The violence is all rather cartoonish, though at times can be gory. Blood spurts everywhere during one scene as people try to take his liver while he's alive. There is sexual innuendo and there are sexual jokes.
Families Can Talk About
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More on Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
What’s the Story?
In MONTY PYTHON'S THE MEANING OF LIFE, the Monty Python troupe tackles questions that plague us all. Why are we here on earth? What is the purpose of life? Well, sort of. Less philosophical musing than it is highly satiric of many aspects of human behavior; The Meaning of Life spares no aspect of the human condition from ridicule. From the cradle to the grave, the six Python comedians, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin present a series of skits in a seven part, 100 minute romp.
Is It Any Good?
Certainly not among the favorites of Python fans ("The Life of Brian" and "The Holy Grail" are the undisputed Python classics), The Meaning of Life still remains pure Python, replete with their disdain for organized religion and constant mocking of what they must surely see as hypocritical human morals. Python is more agreeable to the tireless social critic with a penchant for irreverent British humor. Unlike many contemporary British comedies popular in the U.S. (such as "The Office" or the hopelessly postmodern "Spaced"), Python mixes dire social critique amongst the fart and penis jokes. And, for the most part, they are successful at this.
A good example of the silly: the questioning of two men dressed as a tiger in the African jungle during the height of the Zulu Wars. The strong cultural criticism comes in scenes like the mutiny of bookkeepers against their corporate masters or the explosion of the supremely gluttonous Michael Palin. In fact, whether intentional or not, The Meaning of Life is the Monty Python film that contains their most bold-faced critical social commentary. It is good for a chuckle, but unquestionably funnier to those fed up with many aspects of culture which seem to defy logic.
Movie Details
Studio: Universal Studios, Director: Terry Jones
Run time: 108 minutes
Theatrical release: 01/01/1983, DVD release: 09/02/2003
MPAA Rating: R for language, sexuality
Run time: 108 minutes
Theatrical release: 01/01/1983, DVD release: 09/02/2003
MPAA Rating: R for language, sexuality
Our Members Say
See all 15 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title off for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
PRETTY FUNNY
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
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Lives in FloridaI rate this title off for age 16 and give it- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
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I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
Either you like it or you hate it. I hate british humor.
I agree with islandgal. It could've gotten an NC-17 rating. I loved it when I was 7, but I watched it this year, I didn't like it.
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I rate this title off for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
hilarious.
this is one of the best monty python movie, with the possible exceptoin of the holy grail, ever made. there isn't really anything bad in this at all, though there is some sexual humor, and a li8ttle slapstick violence, but nothing to be worried about.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title off for age 0 and give it
don't let your children see this!!!!
this is the most disgusting movie i have ever seen very explicate in the sexual catagory. i think it should be nc17. i don't have to write much i just have to say...... DON'T LET YOUR KIDS SEE IT!!!!
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Odd for you americans
Meaning of Life is a hilarious movie. Sex si really just parodied(one scene with naked girls killing a man, and one scene making fun of topless dance numbers not even real breasts. The scene with the teacher isn't that innopropriate). Kids may not enjoy it since it has thinking british dark humor. If your kid is mature for his age and likes briish humor It's a good film. If they don't understand british films they might not get it.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Uneven film
Though I recommend anything related to Monty Python (including this movie) it's a fairly uneven film. Some sketches are absolutely hilarious and you can see the team at the top of their game (Every Sperm is Sacred, Fighting Each Other, Rugby Match, Live Organ Transplants, etc.). Some sketches are middling (Sex Ed Class, Zulu Wars, Grim Reaper, etc.). And some sketcehs just aren't funny at all (Find The Fish, Philosophy Dinner Conversation, the odd "people dressed as tigers" scene). And I'm not a big fan of the gross Mr. Creosote scene either. It seems like in this film they were just trying to satirize everything but lost part of the sillliness that makes Python so funny. As far as content goes, there is some topless nudity, lots of discussion about sex, and some other questionable material. But for 14 and up, I think it's fine.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
If you know Monty Python at all, this is exactly what you would expect from them. It's social satire at its most cutting.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
"Have You Ever Wondered What Life's All About?"
Monty Python Give You There View Of The Meaning Of Life... Which Means Normal Bloody Violence, Some Cursing And Loads Of Sex Scenes... Plus Some Very Funny Bits To! Overall This Film Is NOT, I Repeat, NOT Suitable For A Child Under The Age Of 18 At All!!!!
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Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
| 50% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 50% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
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