Monty Python's Life of Brian

Movie review by Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Monty Python's Life of Brian Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Sandaled Python pic too irreverent for young kids.

R 1979 94 minutes
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Parents say

age 11+

Based on 13 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 49 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

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.

Community Reviews

Reviewer45
Reviewer45 Adult
May 12, 2019
age 12+

Hilarious Film may contain some inappropriate scenes

Once more, Monty Python brings it again with the wicked hilarious Life Of Brian. Revolving around an unfortunate man who happens to always be at the wrong place at the wrong time, this movie may contain some inappropriate scenes. The violence is mild, there is a scene where a suicide squad publicly stab themselves, Characters are crucified and hung upside down, and there’s some smacking and beating but nothing graphic. There is a scene where a man spends the night with another woman, no sex is shown, but the man and the woman wake up, and there is full frontal nudity. You see the mans penis, the woman’s vagina and breaths. There is mild innuendo and the film generally has random scenes, such as Brian being caught up in a s I go alien battle. The film is definitely not for the religious, Brian is a comedic version of Jesus Christ. I don’t know why Common Sense rated this a FIVE for sex, I would rate it a three but not five! It is a generally kid friendly film, but nudity is shown.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
1 person found this helpful.
Richard richardson
Richard richardson Adult
February 27, 2020
age 7+

This title has:

Great messages
Too much swearing
See all 13 parent reviews

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 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.

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

Movie Details

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