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Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)

tomatometer

96

Average Rating: 8.2/10
Reviews Counted: 54
Fresh: 52 | Rotten: 2

One of the more cutting=edge films of the 1970s, this religious farce from the classic comedy troupe is as poignant as it is funny and satirical.

92

Average Rating: 7.9/10
Critic Reviews: 13
Fresh: 12 | Rotten: 1

One of the more cutting=edge films of the 1970s, this religious farce from the classic comedy troupe is as poignant as it is funny and satirical.

audience

91

liked it
Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 235,277

My Rating

Movie Info

On a midnight clear 2,000 years ago, three wise men enter a manger where a babe is wrapped in swaddling clothes. It is an infant called Brian...and the three wise men are in the wrong manger. For the rest of his life, Brian (Graham Chapman) finds himself regarded as something of a messiah -- yet he's always in the shadow of this other guy from Galilee. Brian is witness to the Sermon of the Mount, but his seat is in such a bad location that he can't hear any of it ("Blessed are the

R, 1 hr. 32 min.

Comedy

Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones

Apr 30, 1999

$0.4M

Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast

All Critics (54) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (56) | Rotten (3) | DVD (25)

I've always considered it the group's nadir; it seems toothlessly silly.

September 11, 2009 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comments (6)
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Just as wacky and imaginative as their earlier film outings.

July 31, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety | Comment
Variety
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Bad taste of this order is rare but not yet dead.

May 9, 2005 Comment
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The Pythons are enlightened jesters, whose scorn is reserved for those who persist in walking in darkness.

August 1, 2004 Comment
New Yorker
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Funny, in that peculiar British way where jokes are told sideways, with the obvious point and then the delayed zinger.

June 18, 2004 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | Comments (2)
Chicago Sun-Times
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Still holds up beautifully, as both pointed satire and silly, stakes-free comedy.

May 28, 2004 Full Review Source: Washington Post | Comment
Washington Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Sandaled Python pic too irreverent for young kids.

December 31, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

It's a Mel Brooks kind of Jewish joke film made by gentiles.

October 13, 2010 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comment
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Brian contains too many hilarious bits to single out the best.

September 11, 2009 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | Comment
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Boys of my generation memorize the Monty Python repertoire as a buttress against the terror of losing their virginity.

April 7, 2008 Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | Comment (1)
Film Freak Central

The historical lampoon of religious fanaticism may not be quite as hilarious as The Holy Grail," but it's even more ambitious...

February 7, 2008 Full Review Source: MSN.com | Comment
MSN.com

Python fans should appreciate the bonus features.

January 29, 2008 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

A cheeky, irreverent parallel to the life of Jesus by the last great comedy troupe to make movies.

April 14, 2006 Full Review Source: Movie Habit | Comment
Movie Habit

Python successfully lampoon religious attitudes rather than religion itself.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment

Although some consider Monty Python an acquired taste, anyone with a sense of humor and an open mind should find something in this movie to enjoy.

September 30, 2005 Full Review Source: Three Movie Buffs | Comment
Three Movie Buffs

...targets...religious zealots who take Jesus' simple messages of peace and love and use them...as cries for war and persecution.

July 25, 2005 Full Review Source: www.kcactive.com | Comment

Movies just don't really come much funnier than this.

April 3, 2005 Comment
eFilmCritic.com

Freaking hilarious. 'Speak up!' I said it's freaking hilarious!

February 11, 2005 Comment
Needcoffee.com

The Pythons take satirical aim at the dangers of blind religious fervor -- which makes Brian... the perfect complement to [Mel] Gibson's blood-soaked film.

November 12, 2004 Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | Comment
Salt Lake Tribune

An icon of irreverent comic brilliance.

November 11, 2004 Full Review Source: PopMatters | Comment
PopMatters
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Monty Python's Life of Brian

A reading from the Book of Python. Sacrilege at its tragically best.

June 17, 2011
spielberg00
Alexander Diminiano

Super Reviewer

Wasn't really interested, but watched it anyways. Couldn't ignore it for long owing to the fact that it has secured a place in IMDb Top 250. The movie was good enough, but Brian's mother being played by Terry Jones irritated me to no bounds.

March 22, 2009
imrealgod

Super Reviewer

    1. Mandy: He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!
    – Submitted by Tom R (5 months ago)
    1. Man: Always look on the bright side of life.
    – Submitted by Jake C (6 months ago)
    1. Brian Called Brian: You don't need to follow me! You don't need to follow anybody! You got to think for yourselves! You're all individuals! You're all different!
    2. Man: I'm not...
    – Submitted by Prana Independent F (10 months ago)
    1. Big Nose: Blessed are the cheesemakers!
    – Submitted by Aidan C (10 months ago)

Latest News for Monty Python's Life of Brian

July 31, 2008:
Mayor Seeks to Overturn Life of Brian Ban
Nearly 30 years ago, Sue Jones-Davies acted in Monty Python's Life of Brian -- and now, in her new...

September 12, 2007:
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This week, Across the Universe hits theaters. Julie Taymor's film, starring Evan Rachel Wood and Jim...

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Foreign Titles

  • Das Leben des Brian (DE)
  • Monty Python, la vie de Brian (FR)
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