 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Monty Python's Life of Brian
- Review Date: December 4, 2007
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 1979
Common Sense Media says
Sandaled Python pic too irreverent for young kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
Brian is born at the same time as Jesus, and the three wise men 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 trying to overthrow Roman rule. Meanwhile, a Messianic fervor has taken hold of people. 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.
Is it any good?
THE LIFE OF BRIAN is still known as a controversial film that was deemed blasphemous by leading Catholic and other Christian groups when it was released in 1979. However, the comedy doesn't mock Jesus Christ himself, although he's shown and mentioned briefly a couple of times. Instead, the film makes fun of large-scale biblical epics.
The Life of Brian isn't the comedy masterpiece that is The Holy Grail (nor is it as family friendly), but if you're a fan of the witty Monty Python gang, this a must-see comedy.
What families can talk about
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?
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AGE
Brilliant satire, but kids need to be old enough to absorb it
This movie definitely has more overt violence and sexual humor than Monty Python's Flying Circus (TV show) or even "Holy Grail." Still, that's not what's most tricky about letting kids see it. This movie satirizes religion with a razor-sharp edge. Fascinatingly, about the only thing in the movie it treats with genuine reverence in the image of Jesus himself, delivering the Sermon on the Mount in a fashion as dignified and realistic as any Biblical epic. But, almost instantly, it shows people mis-hearing and mis-interpreting his words to hilarious effect. Believers of every stripe (religious and political) are depicted as little more than buffoons (a group of rabbis once called this "the most offensive movie ever made"), and the folly of clinging to a faith that, under scrutiny, makes no sense is laid bare time and again. The message -- and there is a message -- of this movie is that you should understand what you believe in. That's a powerful intellectual revelation, but one that pre-teens may not be ready for.
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AGE
OK for 11 year olds
Vewy funny the wife of bwian was some sex and a wittle viowence too the wanguage is not awl that bad.
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AGE
Unlike Holy Grail, this movie is Rated R. The f-word is used about 8 times and there are two full frontal nude scenes both male and female. There's also some comic violence but nothing too bad. If you do not have a problem with your kids viewing nudity, then this movie should be fine.
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AGE
This has everything--full-frontal nudity (male AND female), tons of swearing, derogatory humor, and--of course!--extremely crude religious satire. I was surprised I was allowed to see it, though I laughed the whole way through. Mature audiences only!
My rating: R for constant sacrilege and mature anti-Christian humor, strong language and some graphic nudity.
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AGE
this is a surprisingly clean and hilarious comedy classic that many parents of 12-13 year olds will have seen, and will be keen to show to their kids, however, some kids might get bored with the subtle/non-slapstick humour and might not understand the sly, clever jokes about religion etc. so if your kid knows a lot about religion and understands things like that then they will enjoy it more than someone who has no idea about the stories in the Bible etc.
There is some salty language including f**k and some brief nudity, but nothing no 12 year old hasnt seen :) its very funni but you need to have a bit of understanding of christianity... maybe a talk about religion before or after viewing the film might help.. your choice :)
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AGE
It is arguably the most hilarious film ever, if your kids are old enough. If you have children that laugh a lot at nudity or find it funny when someone swears, you cannot let them see the film. But a mature child will find this film great. This film also includes the single most random/funny moment in film history, when Brian is falling from a tower and is randomly caught in mid-air by an alien spacecraft, which goes very far out in space, then encounters a maulfunction, and randomly comes right back to Earth on the exact same spot the aliens found Brian. The aliens die, and Brian somehow survives.
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AGE
Great
This movie is great, what annoys me is the fact that people think this movie is offensive to Religions. It's making fun of it, it's just putting it in the Bright Side of Life (See end of the movie). All in all, I really liked this movie
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AGE
Comedy classic is one of the funniest movies of all time, but has nudity.
"Life of Brian" by cult comedy group Monty Python is one of the most acclaimed comedies of all. And i also think that the gags are excellent, the plot is great and the actors are great in their roles (note that the Pythons plays several roles in one movie).
Memorable scenes are Ceaser's barely understandable speech, a random space trip and a musical crucifixation among many other great scenes.
An absolute masterpiece of work.
There is one scene of full frontal male nudity followed by full frontal female nudity, but both scenes are not in a sexual context. There is much religious humour, but it was not as offensive as everyone says. It is a satire.
Suitable for children 12 and up.
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AGE
:)
As long as younger teenagers shut their eyes for the nudity bit, I don't this movie is a problem, but some people may get offended because there is a good amount of blasphemy.
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| Studio: | Sony Pictures |
| Director: | Terry Jones |
| Cast: | Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, John Cleese |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 17, 1979 |
| DVD release date: | January 29, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
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