Monty Python's Life of Brian - R

Sandaled Python pic too irreverent for young kids.

Rating: R Studio: Sony Pictures Directed By: Terry Jones Cast: John Cleese, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman Running Time: 94 minutes Release Date: 08/17/1979 Genre: Comedy

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this movie, like other Monty Python films, pokes fun at religion, death, politics, and ancient history. Although the film is not about Jesus, it does jokingly convey the life of Jesus' contemporary, a man named Brian. The Monty Python crew lampoons not just religion but also revolutionaries, committee politics, and the Roman hierarchy. There is some violence, but it's cartoonish -- even the sight of dismembered bodies in the Coliseum. And while there are scenes of full-frontal nudity (male and female), it's meant to be humorous not sexual.

Families can talk about the kinds of films Monty Python was lampooning. What stereotypical aspects of biblical epics does the film include? Is the film offensive or just funny, or somehow both -- why?

Rate It!

Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sandie Angulo Chen

Even 19 years later, THE LIFE OF BRIAN is known as a controversial film that was deemed blasphemous by leading Catholic and other Christian groups when it was released in 1979. However, to make it clear, the comedy does not mock Jesus Christ himself, although he's shown and mentioned briefly a couple of times. Instead, the film makes fun of the large-scale biblical epics about Christ (King of Kings), Moses (The Ten Commandments), and the like (Spartacus).

The main character Brian is born at the same time as Jesus. The three wise men actually mistake his birth for Christ's, until they quickly realize their error and take back their gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Thirty-three years later, Brian is a concession salesman at the Coliseum, where he encounters a Judean revolutionary group (the People's Front of Judea, definitely NOT to be confused with the Judean People's Front) trying to overthrow Roman rule.

Meanwhile, a Messianic fervor has taken hold of people. During Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, so many have gathered that those in the back can't properly hear the Beatitudes -- "Blessed are the cheesemakers? What's so special about the cheesemakers?" -- and end up in a fistfight. Other self-proclaimed prophets are also claiming to be the son of God, so when Brian literally lands on the pulpit of one to escape the Romans, he just goes along with the charade.

That's pretty much the plot, which is of course completely secondary to the many jokes that the Monty Python men make, about everything from crucifixion to Roman names to what the Romans have to offer humanity (a discussion that goes from "nothing" to a hilariously lengthy list : "All right, but apart from the sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?").

The Life of Brian is not the comedy masterpiece that is The Holy Grail (nor is it as family friendly), but if you're a fan of the witty English gang, it's hard not to consider this a must-see comedy.

Families who like Monty Python's brand of English humor should check out the troupe's other comedies, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, and Monty Python's And Now For Something Completely Different.

Rate It!

Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Male and female full-frontal nudity that's shown in a humorous, not-sexy manner. Judith and Brian kiss and wake up next to each other, but the nudity comes a bit later. Another man's naked behind is shown, but his front is coverd by his long, long hair.
Violence Brian's mom smacks an un-seen baby. The Sermon on the Mount turns into a fightfight. A brawl breaks out at a stoning. Dismembered body parts are strewn around the Coliseum, but they look obviously fake. An imprisoned man is kept in a torture position. Roman centurions beat several people. Criminals are forced to carry crosses. And of course, people are crucified (no blood or nails are visible).
Language Slightly less swearing than the usual rated-R film: "f--k," "bastard," "damn," "bloody," "titty," "balls," "d--k," etc. Also, Brian calls himself some off-color words for Jewish: "kike," "Hebe," "Red Sea Pedestrian."
Message
	Social Behavior Brian becomes an unwitting martyr for a revolutionary group.
	Commercialism None, except for the popularity of the Monty Python comedians.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco