Impys View: Movie Review

Monty Python's Life of Brian

Now this is one of my all time favourite films, banned in Ireland for 8 years, banned in Sweden, and probably banned in a lot of other places too, after all Brian was a very Naughty Boy!

The Monty Python team must have had huge fun Making this film, as I have had huge fun watching it again and again.
For those who don't know the film centres around the life of Brian, born on the same day as Jesus, but in the stable next door he is mistaken for the Messiah. But like his mum says he is just a 'very naughty boy'.
Graham Chapman takes the lead, and a few other roles to boot, with Terry Jones as his mother. You get the feel of the film right away, with the following quote;

Wise Man 1: Ahem!
Brian's Mother: Oh! [falls over in chair]
Brian's Mother: Who are you?
Wise Man 2: We are three wise men.
Brian's Mother: What?
Wise Man 1: We are three wise men.
Brian's Mother: Well, what are you doing creeping around a cow shed at two o'clock in the morning? That doesn't sound very wise to me

Classic! But it is when Brian joins the Peoples Front of Judea, when his problems really start and the hilarity is ramped up.

Set a task of writing on the city gates Romans Go Home, in Latin he is caught. But he must have been caught by a Latin teacher, as he is made to write out the correct version 100 times.
Prior to that we have the stoning ceremony, which again sends up the fanatics, and questions the role of women in the Middle East.
Still the comedy comes thick and fast, and the dialogue is just a dream. If you ask anyone what their favourite moments of the film are their answers will be vast and varying, but a lot would pick the Pontius Pilate moments, of ludicrously funny speech, Fwee Woderwick!
The speech impediment he has even makes his own centurions laugh, and if you listen carefully you can hear one of the crew giggling uncontrollably of screen.

So here in full is the transcript that caused it;

Pontius Pilate: So, yaw fatha was a Woman? Who was he?
Brian: He was a Centurion, in the Jerusalem Garrisons.
Pontius Pilate: Weally? What was his name?
Brian: 'Naughtius Maximus'.
[the Centurion laughs]
Pontius Pilate: Centuwion, do we have anyone of that name in the gawwison?
Centurion: Well, no, sir.
Pontius Pilate: Well, you sound vewy sure. Have you checked?
Centurion: Well, no, sir. Umm, I think it's a joke, sir... like, uh, 'Sillius Soddus' or... 'Biggus Dickus', sir. [guard chuckles]
Pontius Pilate: What's so funny about "Biggus Dickus? "
Centurion: Well, it's a joke name, sir.
Pontius Pilate: I have a vewy gweat fwiend in Wome called 'Biggus Dickus'. [guard chuckles] Pontius Pilate: Silence! What is all this insolence? You will find yourself in gladiator school vewy quickly with wotten behavior like that.
Brian: Can I go now, sir? [slap]
Brian: Aaah! Eh.
Pontius Pilate: Wait till Biggus Dickus hears of this! [guard chuckles]
Pontius Pilate: Wight! Take him away!
Centurion: Oh, sir, he - he only -
Pontius Pilate: No, no. I want him fighting wabid, wild animals within a week.
Centurion: Yes, sir. Come on, you. [takes the guard away as continues laughing hysterically] Pontius Pilate: I will not have my fwiends widiculed by the common soldiewy. - - Anybody else feel like a little... giggle... when I mention my fwiend... Biggus... [another guard chuckles]
Pontius Pilate: ... Dickus? [more chuckling]
Pontius Pilate: What about you? Do you find it... wisible... when I say the name... 'Biggus'... [chuckle]
Pontius Pilate: ... Dickus? [both guards chuckle]
Pontius Pilate: He has a wife, you know. You know what she's called? She's called... 'Incontinentia'... Incontinentia Buttocks

I defy anyone not to laugh at that point!

Remember I said that the film was banned in a number of places because they thought the film was blasphemous. Sorry, but God would have loved this film, he would have recommended it to his son, and all his son's disciples.

Having said that the film isn't perfect, I mean what is with the space ship??? But for a totally entertaining night of Tele, it's one for the collection.

Just remember, When your chewing on Lifes gristle, just give a little whistle, and "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life!"