THE Python movie! Still as relevant today as in 1979

Rating: 10/10 (18 July 2005)

SPOILERS Once upon a time, six amazing friends teamed up together to write one of the finest British comedies of all time. They would collectively be known as 'Monty python' and the series was "Monty Python's Flying Circus". Shown from 1969 to 1974, the series featured some of the funniest comedy ever created in this country.
Five years after they finished their series, the Pythons managed to cause widespread outrage and criticism with their third film. Set during the time of Jesus Christ, this witty and satirical piece of humour was considered by many to be blasphemy. Over twenty years later and it's still a miracle really that the film was ever released. Occasionally poking fun at Christianity whilst never pushing over the boundary, it's not surprising some found it so 'evil'. Still, extremist religious types aside, it's not difficult to see why this film is so well loved. Better organised than other Python works (which occasionally feel like sketch shows, irrelevant of how funny they are), this is THE Python movie. Hilarious, easy to watch and with the ultimate film soundtrack, this film is a masterpiece in every definition of the word and should be embraced with all your heart.
Born on the same night as Jesus Christ, Brian Cohen (Graham Chapman) lives a simple life selling food at the Colloseum and looking after his mum Mandy (fellow Python and film director Terry Jones). One day at work, Brian encounters the mysterious and slightly useless, Peoples Front of Judea. Hating the Romans only slightly less than the Judean Peoples Front and the Popular People's Front ("he's over there"), they enlist Brian into their ranks and it isn't long before Brian finds love, followers and that the Romans want him dead.
With characters like Brian (Chapman) himself, Biggus Dickus (Chapman again), the Ex-Leper (Michael Palin) or Loretta (Eric Idle), it's difficult not to love "Life of Brian". Running in direct correlation to the life of Jesus (we only see him twice, once at birth and once on the Mount), we constantly are shown characters who have met the Son of God (apologies to those brought up in alternative religions for this opinion) or are looking for their chosen religious prophet. Throughout though whether the jokes are religious or not, they are often funny and normally a superb satire of ancient and modern life.
'Brian' also contains one of the finest film tracks of all time. "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" written and performed by Eric Idle is brilliant. Sang from the top of a crucifix (don't forget Idle plays many characters so let's not state who's up there), the song is the perfect conclusion to the film and a wonderful final laugh to leave the audience happy.
On one final note, on the topic of music, "Life of Brian" also contains one of the daftest, shortest cameos of all time. At one point Brian is being confronted by his followers and as he deals with them he is briefly introduced to Mr Papadopolous. Speaking his line "hello" with a strong Liverpudlian accent, Papadopolous is played by none other than George Harrison. A key financial backer, Harrison was given the chance to briefly appear in this piece of genius and his short cameo can only improve what is by all standards, a masterpiece.
"Life of Brian" understandably got a lot of condemnation when it was released. At times seeming to poke fun at religion, it was shown to mass protests and with Church condemnation. Aside from this criticism though, the film should be judged as a piece of comedy, and for that it is genius. Hilarious and engaging, it is a brilliant piece of social satire with some memorable characters and some stunning scenes. It is practically flawless and should be viewed as often as possible.