They say a change is as good as a holiday. And Monty Python’s Life of Brian is sure to forever change your biblical view.
This controversial, satirical comedy by the Monty Python team was initially banned in Norway for fear that it may offend peoples’ religious sensibilities. In the neighboring country Sweden the film was marketed as “The film too funny to be shown in Norway.” A town in South Wales also had it banned even though it didn’t have a cinema! With those kinds of credentials, you know you’re in for a great movie.
Hit the jump to read the rest of the bible review.
The story revolves around Brian Cohen (Graham Chapman), the boy born in the stable next door to Jesus. Decades after his birth, Brian is confused for the messiah and followed by throngs of people in search of answers. Far from anyone’s holy leader, Brian simply hates the Roman forces that are occupying his homeland and decides to join one of the many separatist movements in the city, the People’s Front of Judea. The PFJ’s ineffectual leader Reg (John Cleese) sends Brian on his first assignment and so starts a series of absurd and truly hilarious misadventures…
Voted as the greatest comedy film of all time in 2000 by readers of the British Total Film magazine, Life of Brian is a Python masterpiece; the entire ensemble (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin) deliver some of most comedic characters you are ever likely to see. If you’re new to Monty Python, this film is certainly a great place to start. I unabashedly recommend it.
Life of Brian has a run time of 94 minutes and is rated PG-13 (LN). This Blu-ray release presents the film re-mastered in glorious high definition and comes packed with special features:
- The story of Brian
- An audio recording of the early screenplay
- Commentary by Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, and Terry Jones
- Commentary by John Cleese and Michael Palin
- Original radio ads
- Deleted scenes
- Trailers
- Photo gallery
Monty Python’s Life of Brian was kindly supplied for review by Nelmari Claassens, SterKinekor Entertainment Marketing Manager for Sony Pictures. Visit SterKinekor Entertainment at www.bluraydisc.co.za for the latest Blu-ray news, reviews, and competitions. Sony Pictures can be found on the Web at www.sonypictures.com.
