grab a firm hold of your socks, because you will laugh them off

Rating: Null/10 (24 December 2001)

On one hand, it's more complex than 'the Holy Grail' that I do not consider a religious satire, but more like a satire on tales of knights, compared with 'Life of Brian'. On the other hand there is the uncomplicated controversy 'sex, sex, sex that's all they think about' in a supposedly medieval way. But of course the lavatorial humour is only there to lighten up the more concerned and clever jokes, like the mockery of the stoning, feminism, the gladiators, the crucifixions, the self-chastisement, the bargaining nonsense, the supposed superiority of the Romans (Biggus Dickus et al) and the repressing of Jews. Religious viewers who don't have much stamina could have a cardiac arrest when watching this film I guess. But under all the mockery MP have a very sharp knowledge of the bible, philosophy and events that 2001 years ago took place (or what is believed by certain religious groups) and don't really get anti-clericist.
Without George Harrison this 'hand made film' would not have been possible. I see it twice a year to remind me of the craziness of religious herding, stalking and hypocrisy. And also to remember to always look on the bright side of life. Do not make your history homework: watch this instead! The only time MP got carried away really is with the alien spaceship, which is childish and not important. What is important, are the settings and decors, which are more convincing than those of 'Gladiator' (Scott, 2000) and 'the Last temptation of Christ' (Scorsese, 1988) as far as I'm concerned. BTW, how would Kirk Douglas in Spartacus (Kubrick, 1960) have performed the the famous song at the end of the film? Anyway, MP perform 40 (fourty) brilliant roles with just them six and that might just be the biggest gag of the film.
Strange, that 'Life of Brian' is considered one of the best comedies ever and Buñuel's 'Simón of the desert' (1965) and 'the Milky Way' (1969) are almost not known at all. Let's just blame it on the subtitles. On its turn, Life of Brian might partially have been an inspiration for 'Army of Darkness' (Raimi, 1992). My favourite line by Simón del Desierto: 'I'm beginning to realize that I don't realize what I'm saying. What am I saying?' So satisfy your curiosity and try these films: what are you waiting for ... Christmas? 10/10