Monty Python's Life of Brian is 46 years old today.
13 Life of Brian Classic Moments - A THREAD
Brian could well be the funniest movie ever made, and one clip alone won't do it justice. So dive into this thread and find out why Brian was a very naughty boy. You splitter!
1/
13 Life of Brian Classic Moments - A THREAD
Brian could well be the funniest movie ever made, and one clip alone won't do it justice. So dive into this thread and find out why Brian was a very naughty boy. You splitter!
1/
"Blessed are the cheesemakers."
The only time Jesus is depicted in the film is the hilarious Sermon on the Mount scene. Although the humour comes from the crowd's misunderstandings, Jesus himself is treated with respect. The meek line from Gwen Taylor is a killer.
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The only time Jesus is depicted in the film is the hilarious Sermon on the Mount scene. Although the humour comes from the crowd's misunderstandings, Jesus himself is treated with respect. The meek line from Gwen Taylor is a killer.
2/
"Are there any women here?"
The absurdity of blind adherence to religious rules by showing a group of people eagerly wanting to stone a man to death for saying a piece of halibut was "good enough for Jehovah" is brilliantly played.
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The absurdity of blind adherence to religious rules by showing a group of people eagerly wanting to stone a man to death for saying a piece of halibut was "good enough for Jehovah" is brilliantly played.
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"I want to be a woman."
George Harrison played a crucial role in funding Brian. As a nod, "Loretta," may reference "Sweet Loretta Martin," a man who thought he was a woman in The Beatles' song "Get Back". This is probably more pertinent now than it was in 1979.
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George Harrison played a crucial role in funding Brian. As a nod, "Loretta," may reference "Sweet Loretta Martin," a man who thought he was a woman in The Beatles' song "Get Back". This is probably more pertinent now than it was in 1979.
4/
"Romans Go Home"
This sketch is revenge against every strict Latin teacher the Python's ever faced. In a strange self reference, John Cleese himself taught Latin to ten-year-olds and used to make his students write out corrections multiple times if they made mistakes.
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This sketch is revenge against every strict Latin teacher the Python's ever faced. In a strange self reference, John Cleese himself taught Latin to ten-year-olds and used to make his students write out corrections multiple times if they made mistakes.
5/
"What have the Romans ever done for us?"
This phrase has become a part of our every day vernacular used to highlight the obvious advantages of something while still complaining about it. The list of Roman contributions mentioned is largely historically accurate.
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This phrase has become a part of our every day vernacular used to highlight the obvious advantages of something while still complaining about it. The list of Roman contributions mentioned is largely historically accurate.
6/
"Biggus Dickus."
The absolute joy of this scene is Michael Palin's masterful delivery as he tortures the extras, who were ordered not to laugh. At one point you can see Palin enjoying himself a little too much as he almost breaks himself.
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The absolute joy of this scene is Michael Palin's masterful delivery as he tortures the extras, who were ordered not to laugh. At one point you can see Palin enjoying himself a little too much as he almost breaks himself.
7/
"Oh, you lucky bastard."
Graham Chapman asked, "Why isn't Brian rescued by a flying saucer at this point?" So he did. Terry Gilliam's imaginative alien sequence not only adds a surreal element but serves as a parody, challenging the notion of a divinely ordained purpose.
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Graham Chapman asked, "Why isn't Brian rescued by a flying saucer at this point?" So he did. Terry Gilliam's imaginative alien sequence not only adds a surreal element but serves as a parody, challenging the notion of a divinely ordained purpose.
8/
"C'mon, haggle."
The haggling scene is for anyone who has had to endure this strange ritual during their travels. The fact that Brian ends up handing over the asking price only highlights the utter pointlessness of it all. This is also Eric Idle's happy place.
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The haggling scene is for anyone who has had to endure this strange ritual during their travels. The fact that Brian ends up handing over the asking price only highlights the utter pointlessness of it all. This is also Eric Idle's happy place.
9/
"Now... f**k off!"
This brilliantly written scene highlights the absurdity of blind adherence to religion doctrine and the creation of rituals and beliefs based on misinterpretations and perceived signs by those who seek to follow without questioning. Genius.
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This brilliantly written scene highlights the absurdity of blind adherence to religion doctrine and the creation of rituals and beliefs based on misinterpretations and perceived signs by those who seek to follow without questioning. Genius.
10/
"He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy."
This is the line that encapsulates the entire ethos of the movie. And the part that was missed when the film was banned in multiple countries. "Yes, we're all individuals." is just genius.
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This is the line that encapsulates the entire ethos of the movie. And the part that was missed when the film was banned in multiple countries. "Yes, we're all individuals." is just genius.
11/
"Crucifixion?"
One of my favourite scenes in Brian is Michael Palin acting like every airplane steward or stewardess you've ever met as he hands out crucifixes.
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One of my favourite scenes in Brian is Michael Palin acting like every airplane steward or stewardess you've ever met as he hands out crucifixes.
12/
"I'm Brian and so's my wife."
The brilliant nod to Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus is like the Romans falling for the same trick twice. It subverts the original from a moment of heroic solidarity to a moment of cowardice and self-interest.
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The brilliant nod to Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus is like the Romans falling for the same trick twice. It subverts the original from a moment of heroic solidarity to a moment of cowardice and self-interest.
13/
"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"
This 'keep calm and carry on' masterpiece transcended the screen and became part of our lives, sailors aboard the HMS Sheffield, struck by an Argentine missile, even sang it while awaiting rescue during the Falklands War.
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This 'keep calm and carry on' masterpiece transcended the screen and became part of our lives, sailors aboard the HMS Sheffield, struck by an Argentine missile, even sang it while awaiting rescue during the Falklands War.
14/
Life of Brian remains one of the funniest movies ever made (if not, THE funniest) because the subject matter remains unchanged from 1979, when the masterpiece first appeared. It's also a testament to the writing skills of six very funny men, working at the top of their game.
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