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Life of Brian
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Life of Brian (1979) More at IMDbPro »

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Life of Brian (1979) -- Brian is born on the original Christmas, in the stable next door. He spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 5% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Terry Jones
Writers:
Graham Chapman (written by) &
John Cleese (written by) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Life of Brian on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 August 1979 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy more
Tagline:
A motion picture destined to offend nearly two thirds of the civilized world. And severely annoy the other third. more
Plot:
Brian is born on the original Christmas, in the stable next door. He spends his life being mistaken for a messiah. full summary | full synopsis
User Comments:
Classic seamless comedy. more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Graham Chapman ... Wise Man #2 / Brian Cohen / Biggus Dickus

John Cleese ... Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur

Terry Gilliam ... Man Even Further Forward / Revolutionary / Jailer / Blood & Thunder Prophet / Frank / Audience Member / Crucifee

Eric Idle ... Mr. Cheeky / Stan (Loretta) / Harry the Haggler / Culprit Woman / Warris / Intensely Dull Youth / Jailer's Assistant / Otto / Lead Singer Crucifee
Terry Jones ... Mandy Cohen / Colin / Simon the Holy Man / Bob Hoskins / Saintly Passer-by / Alarmed Crucifixion Assistant
Michael Palin ... Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus
Terence Bayler ... Gregory
Carol Cleveland ... Mrs. Gregory
Kenneth Colley ... Jesus
Neil Innes ... A weedy Samaritan
Charles McKeown ... False Prophet / Blind Man / Giggling Guard / Stig
John Young ... Matthias, Son of Deuteronomy of Gath
Gwen Taylor ... Mrs. Big Nose
Sue Jones-Davies ... Judith
Peter Brett
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Brian of Nazareth (UK) (working title)
Jesus Christ: Lust for Glory (UK) (working title)
Monty Python's Life of Brian (UK) (complete title)
The Gospel According to St. Brian (UK) (working title)
more
Runtime:
94 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English | Latin
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Norway:(Banned) (1979 - 1980) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1980) | Finland:K-16 (1988) | Netherlands:MG6 (DVD rating) | Iceland:L | Spain:T | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:(Banned) | Norway:18 (1980) | Sweden:15 | Australia:MA (Special Edition DVD) | France:U | Australia:M | Brazil:18 | Argentina:16 (re-rating) | Argentina:18 (original rating) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Ireland:(Banned) (1979-1987) | Ireland:15 (re-rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:11 (re-rating) (2004) | UK:15 (video rating) (1988) | UK:AA (original rating) | USA:R
Company:
HandMade Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In the interview section of Monty Python's Flying Circus: Live at Aspen (1998) (TV), John Cleese confides that, since there were massive protests against the movie from all denominations of Christianity, he would joke with Michael Palin: "We've brought them all together for the first time in 2000 years!" more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: During the crucifixion scene, after the PFJ sing "For he's a jolly good fellow", you can see a very obvious double for John Cleese playing "Reg" amongst the PFJ when John Cleese enters the scene as the Centurion, looking to free Brian. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Wise Man #1: Ahem!
Brian?s mother: Oh!
[falls over in chair]
Brian?s mother: Who are you?
Wise Man #2: We are three wise men.
Brian?s mother: What?
Wise Man #1: We are three wise men.
Brian?s mother: Well, what are you doing creeping around a cow shed at two o'clock in the morning? That doesn't sound very wise to me.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Passion: Films, Faith & Fury (2006) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Always Look on the Bright Side Of Life more

FAQ

Why do the closing credits suggest you might also enjoy seeing 'La Notte'?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is "Life of Brian" based on a book?
more
58 out of 67 people found the following comment useful:-
Classic seamless comedy., 14 January 2005
10/10
Author: pstancer from Hong Kong

This film is by far the best of the Python outings. It ranks as one of my favorite films of all time, which unlike 'The Holy Grail', hasn't dated with time but improves with repeated viewing.

The Pythons supposed take on Christianity, which caused outrage when it was first released (mostly by people who hadn't seen it), is actually a take on cults, both religious and political, and the people who follow them.

Brian, our hapless hero, is confused, horny, and constantly mistaken for the Messiah; who just happened to be born in the manger next to him. Brian just wants to be left alone, and to pursue his love for Judith, a member of the People's Front of Judea. Judith just wants the Romans to go home; but only after they've left the sanitation, the medicine, education, irrigation, roads, public order, etc., etc. ... oh and don't forget the wine!

Will Brian's love for Judith go unrequited? Will only the cheese makers be blessed, or does this refer to all manufacturers of dairy products? And just what have the Romans ever done for us?

It's subtle; it's anarchic; and it's possibly still banned in Norway. This is classic seamless comedy at its best. 10/10.

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best comedy ever made?? deepblue501
What was your funniest scene? Kotkijet
Holy Grail or Life of Brian or Meaning of Life jeremy-l-neufeld
The Short Films at The Begining Kaine_a1
9 Spoof Movies That Are Actually Funny Sgt-Pembry
This is not an anti-christian or an atheist movie. san-fairy-ann
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