There's a hilarious bit by Rowan Atkinson where he comes out on stage as the devil giving an orientation to new arrivals in hell. He's breaking them up in groups by their sins, and at one point he says "Anyone who has seen The Life of Brian, over here please. Apparently God doesn't have a sense of humor after all!" 😂
Fun fact, the actors in the biggus dickkus scene were extras who were not told what was going to happen they were just told basically "Your job is to stand there and no matter what happens you can't laugh or your fired" Those reactions were the genuine reactions of those extras that couldn't believe how stupid the scene was and that they couldn't laugh at it
You mentioned how good the title song is. It's very much in the style of the Shirley Bassey, James Bond movie title tracks that she did. Incredibly it was sung by a sixteen year old girl called Sonia Jones. I find it so much more impressive knowing she was so young!
An amusing fact about this movie. The movie was banned in a lot of towns. There was one town in Wales who only reversed the ban after the actress who played the Welsh tart became the mayor of the town.
i had speech therapy for lisping, and while i don't lisp and also can't remember lisping, i still use a german version of goodbye that doesn't contain a spoken s, because i always had to stay longer in speech therapy if i used the other one...
I also had an "R" problem when I was a kid. "Dwop of wawtow" instead of "drop of water" and such like that. Like you, I went to speech therapy to sort it through, which I did by the end of 8th grade. In high school you'd never have known, but all through grade school and middle school it was there. But watching Life of Brian, one can laugh at the pompous Pontius Pilate and his pompous friend Biggus Dickus, because they're the powerful, the ones sending folks off to crucifixion without a thought. MONTY PYTHON is good at taking authority down a peg or two, exposing the pompous and self-centered and self-righteous. This film's satire is so acid, and so spot-on.
You're right that nudity is okay, and you're right that the seventies was a very different time than today on these issues, even in the US. The seventies were almost unimaginably more progressive than today in the US.
Without checking, before PG 13 (i.e. I believe that means before the movie _Gremlins_) it still could have been just a PG movie even in the "prudish" US back in the 70s, as there was a separate category "brief nudity" (every boy's dream) that did not automatically trigger an R rating. In Germany, where I have lived all my adult life (as I imagine in other parts of Europe), people tend to separate plain nudity, which is seen as "natural" (and many would not have the least problem with their kids watching) from actual sexualized situations, which would trigger a "16 and over" rating.
I hope you didn't skip over the Latin lesson, but for this reaction video you did. I saw this in the theater in my teens and it has always been a favorite of mine.
Sue Jones-Davies, who played Brain's girlfriend Judith, was elected mayor of Aberystwyth, Wales in the late 2000's. One of the first things she did was to overturn the nearly 30 year ban on screening this film
That's been reported but, according to her Wikipedia page, "Upon taking the office, she was informed that the town had banned Life of Brian and prohibited it for nearly 30 years because of her nude scene. It subsequently emerged that although Ceredigion county councillors had reviewed the film in 1981, and found parts "quite unacceptable", they did not officially ban it. She sponsored a charity screening of Life of Brian."
I had a De Facto Stepdad, called Brian. He was not the messiah. I wouldn't have paintstrippered a four letter word beginning with C on the Messiah's new car. I , ME, I...was the very naughty boy.
I think it’s funny that the organizations who deemed this offensive when it came out overlook the fact they still had Jesus in it giving his magnificent sermon on the mount and did not poke fun at JESUS. The movie pokes fun at ignorant religious zealots. Not the source itself. A well fine satire
Good reaction, thanks for sharing. For years this was the only Monty Python's work I actually liked. Eventually I also liked MP and the Holy Grail. Very funny movies. Happy 2025.
WRT to the nudity, the BBC UK was surprisingly free back then, despite being conservative, and it defended quite a lot of liberties in the name of comedy. This meant that comedians were trained up and became world class. Life of Brian was adults only in australia, I think? Didn't stop kids watching anyway.
Love how you said ‘I thought this was suppose to be family friendly’ after seeing the nudity but there’s been swearing and violence throughout the whole film 🤣🤣 this was always a very controversial film and got banned in a lot of places apparently. It almost never got made but George Harrison helped fund it being a huge fan of Monty Python. Admittedly I was allowed to watch this and similar shows and films as a kid in the 90s, under the strict instruction that wasn’t to repeat anything I heard. And I think I turned out okay 🤣❤ Great reaction by the way! I’m glad you loved this. It’s an absolute classic and for the time it was very what you would consider ‘Woke’. With the attitude to Stan wanting to become a woman and making your own decisions instead of following religion or being a sheep. Incredible film! One of my favourites ♥️
I agree with what you said about the differences between the US and the UK in regards to nudity. In the US, we seem to be ok with excessive amounts of violence in our media, but not with nudity, at least on TV. This movie was controversial when it was released, and led to some boycotts, because of it's perceived mockery of Christianity, and religion in general. The controversy itself was satirized on the British sketch comedy show Not the Nine O'Clock News, with Rowan Atkinson: ruclips.net/video/asUyK6JWt9U/видео.html You should check out Monty Python's 70s TV show, Monty Python's Flying Circus, but be forewarned, there is the occasional bit of nudity. Also, their last movie, The Meaning of Life has some.
One of the best satires of religion ever made, not without controversy upon initial release in the mid 70s. This came out not long after the big budget "Jesus of Nazareth" TV mini series. quite a contrast !!
Honestly as a trans woman I LOVE the Loretta sketch bc A) it's just funny, and B) it's played in a very genuine way by Eric Idle, like he's not taking the piss, and it's just kinda sweet that they did this back in the 70s
People bring that scene up now to say that Monty Python wasn’t “woke” but I always point to the scene at the end when Reg has accepted Loretta’s transition and addresses her as a woman.
As the mother of a trans woman I'm so glad to hear your point of view. I don't think the sketch is intended to be cruel or even anti-trans people, it just addresses Loretta's rather unrealistic hopes of physically bearing a child. Of course, in the future, who knows what might be possible. Love to all and a Happy New Year. Peace and Love from Australia.
Always look on the bright side of life became the most popular funeral song in the UK outperforming all the hymns that were the most popular beforehand that's British dark humor for you
clear up any confusion, the spaceship is so alien creatures from across the galaxy can travel to earth (this planet), otherwise without a spacecraft they would simply be 'alien creatures not appearing in this film.' delightful movie reaction !!!
Pontius Pilot and Biggus Dickus has me in stitches every time, one can't pronounce his R's and the other has a lisp 😂😂😂 "Welease Wodger!" 🤣🤣🤣 I don't think you could get away with taking the piss out of people with speech impediments nowadays.
12:04 - My name is Krist. K R I S T. It is short for Kristoffer, and is pronounced like a shortened version of that name- the "i" is a short vowel, not a long vowel. "ih" not "eye." Not Christ, but people often (understandably) pronounce it with the long "i". Years back I found a t-shirt that was perfect, which I wear on special occasions. It's a picture of Brian all angry-faced, saying "I AM the Messiah! Now F#@K OFF!"
The Life of Brian was released in 1980, so... your dad was born after 1980 (if you think they named him after Brian in the movie)? And both your parents are deceased? Were they both in their 30s when they died (if you remember them they had to have still been around when you were a kid)?
Eric Idle did a musical version of this film, oratorio adjacent, with proper professional singers. Well worth a look, and some guest appearances by some other Pythons too. It's call Not The Messiah.
One of my daughters was a musical theater major in high school and college! She played in Spamalot which was the musical version of the Holy Grail! Proud dad moment for me!
5:12 "Imagine if it was made today." I bet this scene would be a lot more controversial today. When it was released, the religious and political humor was very controversial, but I think people get more freaked out about gender stuff today. Back then, I think people would have been laughing about "People's Front of Judea" and all the other names for Palestinian liberation movements, because they were always in the news and there were tons of splintered groups with similar names that couldn't get along.
‘Tea Time’ is in reference to ‘Tea’ which is what us up north call ‘Dinner’ so obviously the time for the evening meal. It’s not about the drink. Just so you know 🤣
Being a soft Southerner tea time is in fact 4 o'clock in the afternoon ON THE DOT when it's time to have several cups of the restoring fluid and maybe a scone or two, maybe a crumpet with strawberry jam or some biscuits. Dinner, which is actually supper, is after seven in the evening, at the earliest. Breakfast happens sometime in the morning, just before elevenses in my case.
I saw this in one of the few cinemas that showed it- general Synod versus Monty Python ( Cleese ) is worth a watch live TV debate - but the film wasnt shown on TV til 1994 on Channel 4
1:30 Megan, you think your father may have been named after the protagonist in this film, which was released in 1979? You think he was born after then?!
on the same religious theme but not a comedy, one the the best British movies of all time you should check out is Ken Russel's The Devils the most complete cut available was released by the B.F.I
Several facts with this film, George Harrison backed this film by morgaging his house to set up a film studio called handmade films with another guy, george harrison makes a brief cameo also. Also in this film Jesus is played by Kenneth Colley whom also played Admiral Piett in Star Wars the Empire strikes back and return of the jedi.
Nice reaction, I do find it strange how almost intolerant of nudity we've become but extreme violence is almost the norm. For example, on this platform no nudity is allowed but violence abounds. Am not saying showing violence is wrong (it certainly can be) but to me banning nudity is making it abnormal and allowing violence is making it normal. I know which I'd prefer to see.
Great film. Concerning the sidetracking with the spaceship. It was two years after Star Wars, I wonder if it was their cynical way of jumping on the space bandwagon like many were then.
@@MeganRuthTerry Gilliam created that scene and yes it was absolutely because of the Star Wars mania. Gilliam was starting his career as a director and wanted to show that he could be like George Lucas on a fraction of the budget.
almost certainly. Star Wars was late 1977, Life Of Brian is being made mid 1979, so Star Wars is still very much going to be a part of the cultural zeitgeist. Also, the Pythons were an all-star team/A-Team of comedy, each with their own specialty, and with great talent also comes ego, so each star is going to need its turn to shine. That's why there's always a musical number (Eric Idle) and there's always a bizarre cartoon transition (Terry Gilliam). Gilliam's cartoons, by their nature, do not and cannot fit in "logically" to a larger coherent narrative: they were always there to break such things up, to be something else to cut to so they wouldn't have to finish a skit they didn't have an end for. Brian is written into a corner they can't write him out of? Stick in some Gilliam weirdness to be the bridge.
I love this movie. Another Monty Python success. Bigus Dickus... 🤣🤣🤣🤣 .... Fweee ... Woger. 😅 I know what you mean .. also as a Canadian living in Europe, nudity is much more accepted here. I remember the US media had a fit when Janet Jackson's nipple was exposed for a half second. That would not have been a news story in Europe. OMG .. children might see a nipple.😜 Within this movie I think it is added for more of a funny shock, but not outrageous as might be seen in Canada or the US. Always look on the bright side of life. 😄
.. Okay.. This is MY take on the nudity thing. The short-short version. Let's just mention "Freikörperkultur" (Free body culture.. Nudism).. It was strong in the late 1900s all over the world.. if talking about America I assume the Hippie movement, free love, back to nature, etc, that was a strong influence in the 60s and 70s influenced people's perspective, and it did influence society and what happened afterwards.. BUT people didn't use to immediately confuse nakedness with sexuality as much as people do today either way.. OR perhaps I should've started a bit earlier.. because.. this all goes in waves. There is a lot of prudity today that I never could quite identify, because it seem to have gone back to WORSE than it was before the hippie culture... and.. My hypothesis is that this literally is directly a consequence of AIDS. It had kind of existed for a while, but 1970 is around the time you could say it started to hit the western world, and due to how slowly it spreads, and how long it takes before people develop any symptoms (You don't get symptoms from HIV, you have to have autoimmune deficiency syndrome- AIDS- which gives you OTHER diseases which have symptoms, so before people really could readily diagnose HIV just from the virus you had to have had it for a long time, and you can only guess you have it because you get so many different types of other infections).. so.. yeah.. The AIDS pandemic "hit" in the 80s.. people didn't know really how it worked, who had it, or anything. It SEEMED to spread quickly simply because it went from no people, to a bunch of people who all are dying.. The thing with this disease is because it literally feeds the people with antiquated views on sexuality.. It first hit the homosexual scene simply because that is where it was common to exchange partners. They were also kind of a small secret club of initiated members.. so.. even if it is UNLIKELY you get it from sex, they were the ones who kind of played that particular game of chance the most often with the most partners.. so it prettty much spread to everyone at the same time.. This was of course gasoline on the fire for people trying to promote hatred against homosexuals, ESPECIALLY using religious narratives.. Some people even thought of this disease as "the gay disease".. When it was shown that it absolutely had nothing at all to do with homosexuality they STILL could argue that it would be about sexual morality.. When people confuse something that is a disease with morality they start muddling up the waters... So... IF the idea of prudeness and strict anti "sexual freedom" ideas take hold, then of course all other things also start gaining traction.. like.. worrying about general nakedness. So.. yeah.. I think that it is a chain of events that kind of started with this new disease fueling the idea of morality in people who had a rather conservative christian view and.. their perspective kind of "fit the bill" so even people who didn't accept the Christianity part still kind of were influenced through mere exposure effect and confirmation bias. There IS a difference between Europe and the USA.. though I'd say there is a HUGE difference in Europe too. I think the reason it is a bit worse in the US is because you kind of constantly validate ideas of moral superiority.. BUT you are a nation that was founded by people who couldn't make a go in their own home nations, OR that had such extreme religious views (Cult like views based on force) that they wanted a law-less place to live so they could do whatever they wanted in the name of their religion.. so.. Most of Europe had religious freedom when the Americas was colonized, but.. When personal freedom to believe what you want isn't enough.. you want to force others too and break laws, etc.. Then... you moved to the USA.. so some of the most extreme cults, the ones being the quickest to try to enforce THEIR views on morality and sexuality.. Moved to the USA.. and I think that history still influences the current cultures in the USA. HOWEVER.. I'd also say that.. You don't mind nudity in the USA either.. you just whine about it. There ARE a shitload of nakedness in American media EVEN fairly modern American media... Right now I can only think of one example: Game of Thrones.. So.. Technically I'd say that it is fairly important to remember that perspectives often are a bit too biased, and rather related to HOW people do things rather than WHAT they do.
glad you did this reaction, just a shame that a lot of the punchlines in the background (like most of the stoning and the gladiator scene and the food in the coliseum) are lost, can't give a thumbs yp for this, but won't vote it down
American media presents all kinds of full nudity now. But it was only maybe in the last 10 or 15 years now that it was this common. It was also more common in the 60s and 70s, but selectively.
My ex is American (don't ask, its a long story) and I remember being amazed at how prudish they seem to be. Always assumed Canadians were more like us Brits in that respect. ;-) Otto's "s-word squad" at the end, by the way, used to turn up earlier in the film too. Their method of mass protest against the Romans was to "unalive" themselves with big swords, except that none of them were ever brave enough to actually do it. I guess that joke didn't age well so it was edited out but when they turn up at the end it doesn't make sense anymore. Hope this comment made it past the censor. LOL
Film is still banned in a few countries even now. In 2000 I was based in Italy - all the Italian conscrpts wanted to watch it - so we obliged. They loved it
@MeganRuth But we also gave them fish and chips and British beer. On us Even half a German submarine crew. The captain would pour vodka on his tongue and light it. Great guy.
@MeganRuth That's true. However, it's the United States that has an issue with nudity on television. Not the U.K.. They take issue with violence instead. I'm not sure we have our priorities straight here in the U.S.. 🤔
Religious people were pissed when this movie came out, mass protests. I had to go through a picket line to see it in peaceful, secular Portland, Maine.
The BBC banned this movie in the UK and it has always been played in the US. Many of these stereotypes go back to the World War II era. Like Brits all boiling their food and having bad teeth. The myth Americans are fatter than Brits when Brits are now winning that battle of the bulge. I dated a girl from the UK and she was very confrontational. It was what split us up really. She took me being chill about things as I did not care, she was obsesses over a lot of things I don't get upset about.
It all depends on the reactor. I edit all of my own videos and it's very time consuming to edit in a way I can avoid blocking from youtube due to copyright. I do have a patreon where you can see the full reaction :)
as usual americans Pretend to be prudes. all those rules about swearing etc are incredibly hypocritical. you just have to Pay ti see it... then suddenly all is allowed
Those laughing at "biggus dickus", were all told if they'd laugh at the scene they wouldn't get paid, guess none of them got paid that day, im English and im so proud that NO OTHER COUNTRY has produced such fantastic comedy
That’s complete nonsense. They were proper actors and they knew the script properly just as much as usual. The idea that they didn’t know the lines, or that they were told not to laugh is repeated many times on the internet but it’s just not true.
That is absolutely not true. The 4 guards played 12 different roles in the movie and one of them was part of the writing team. Charles McKeown was the first guard to laugh, he played 4 different roles in the film was involved throughout filming and was personal friends with Michael Palin, John Cleese and Terry Jones (the films Director) Chris Langham, the guard pulling the face is a well known comic actor, writer and producer, well known for his work on British TV, and his involvement on Not The Nine O'clock News, he played 2 roles in the film and was personal friends with the Monty python team. Andrew MacLachlen the guard behind Brian on the right was a well known comic actor, he played 2 roles in the film and was involved in filming from the start, he had worked many times with Monty python and was a personal family friend of Michael Palin. The guard behind Brian on the left was an icon within British comedy, the great Bernard McKenna, he played 4 different roles in the film and was part of the writing team and was one of the main writers for scene 13, the Biggus scene people always try to pretend the actors didn't know the script. Scene 13 wasn't done in one take, it was filmed like all the film many times from different angles, they also rehearse the same many times and the guards laughing at the correct time was very important as it was how Brian escaped. The actors being threatened with not getting paid for laughing in this one scene is just a myth.
There's a hilarious bit by Rowan Atkinson where he comes out on stage as the devil giving an orientation to new arrivals in hell. He's breaking them up in groups by their sins, and at one point he says "Anyone who has seen The Life of Brian, over here please. Apparently God doesn't have a sense of humor after all!" 😂
Fun fact, the actors in the biggus dickkus scene were extras who were not told what was going to happen they were just told basically "Your job is to stand there and no matter what happens you can't laugh or your fired"
Those reactions were the genuine reactions of those extras that couldn't believe how stupid the scene was and that they couldn't laugh at it
You mentioned how good the title song is. It's very much in the style of the Shirley Bassey, James Bond movie title tracks that she did. Incredibly it was sung by a sixteen year old girl called Sonia Jones. I find it so much more impressive knowing she was so young!
I used to think it was Shirley Bassey it was so well done.
The JPF fighters that offed themselves in the end were a "crack suicide squad" (taken very literally)
An amusing fact about this movie. The movie was banned in a lot of towns. There was one town in Wales who only reversed the ban after the actress who played the Welsh tart became the mayor of the town.
"You're all individuals!"
"Yes! We're all individuals!"
"You're all different!"
"Yes! We are all different!"
"...I'm not."
😂 so funny!
Best line in the movie.
It’s like in the guard at the wedding in Holy Grail who says, “Hey!”
The "I'm not" line came spontaneously and unscripted from an extra...as you can hear left in the final cut. I think he was given a wage bonus.
And with that proving he is actually an individual. So by saying he is not different he is showing he IS different. Brilliant!
i had speech therapy for lisping, and while i don't lisp and also can't remember lisping, i still use a german version of goodbye that doesn't contain a spoken s, because i always had to stay longer in speech therapy if i used the other one...
So no "Tschüß", just "Ciao/Tschau"?
I also had an "R" problem when I was a kid. "Dwop of wawtow" instead of "drop of water" and such like that. Like you, I went to speech therapy to sort it through, which I did by the end of 8th grade. In high school you'd never have known, but all through grade school and middle school it was there. But watching Life of Brian, one can laugh at the pompous Pontius Pilate and his pompous friend Biggus Dickus, because they're the powerful, the ones sending folks off to crucifixion without a thought. MONTY PYTHON is good at taking authority down a peg or two, exposing the pompous and self-centered and self-righteous. This film's satire is so acid, and so spot-on.
You're right that nudity is okay, and you're right that the seventies was a very different time than today on these issues, even in the US. The seventies were almost unimaginably more progressive than today in the US.
Yes I'd like to see a rewatch of Monty Python and the holy Grail
Without checking, before PG 13 (i.e. I believe that means before the movie _Gremlins_) it still could have been just a PG movie even in the "prudish" US back in the 70s, as there was a separate category "brief nudity" (every boy's dream) that did not automatically trigger an R rating. In Germany, where I have lived all my adult life (as I imagine in other parts of Europe), people tend to separate plain nudity, which is seen as "natural" (and many would not have the least problem with their kids watching) from actual sexualized situations, which would trigger a "16 and over" rating.
Tea may have been originally harvested in China, but tea _time_ is quintessentially British.
I hope you didn't skip over the Latin lesson, but for this reaction video you did. I saw this in the theater in my teens and it has always been a favorite of mine.
Sue Jones-Davies, who played Brain's girlfriend Judith, was elected mayor of Aberystwyth, Wales in the late 2000's. One of the first things she did was to overturn the nearly 30 year ban on screening this film
That's been reported but, according to her Wikipedia page,
"Upon taking the office, she was informed that the town had banned Life of Brian and prohibited it for nearly 30 years because of her nude scene. It subsequently emerged that although Ceredigion county councillors had reviewed the film in 1981, and found parts "quite unacceptable", they did not officially ban it. She sponsored a charity screening of Life of Brian."
I had a De Facto Stepdad, called Brian.
He was not the messiah. I wouldn't have paintstrippered a four letter word beginning with C on the Messiah's new car.
I , ME, I...was the very naughty boy.
I think it’s funny that the organizations who deemed this offensive when it came out overlook the fact they still had Jesus in it giving his magnificent sermon on the mount and did not poke fun at JESUS. The movie pokes fun at ignorant religious zealots. Not the source itself. A well fine satire
Genius. Nuff said.
Good reaction, thanks for sharing.
For years this was the only Monty Python's work I actually liked. Eventually I also liked MP and the Holy Grail. Very funny movies.
Happy 2025.
My favourite comedy film and it never dates, so many hilarious scenes.
Such a clever film .
Love ❤️ your Monty Python reactions, Megan. Great Video! 👍
Thanks Falcom! 😊
Dam it i will be whistling all night! Always look on the!!!❤
I can watch a Holy Grail reaction, even if its a rewatch 🙂
Great reaction. One of my favourite films. ❤
Thank you! 😊
WRT to the nudity, the BBC UK was surprisingly free back then, despite being conservative, and it defended quite a lot of liberties in the name of comedy. This meant that comedians were trained up and became world class.
Life of Brian was adults only in australia, I think? Didn't stop kids watching anyway.
Love how you said ‘I thought this was suppose to be family friendly’ after seeing the nudity but there’s been swearing and violence throughout the whole film 🤣🤣 this was always a very controversial film and got banned in a lot of places apparently. It almost never got made but George Harrison helped fund it being a huge fan of Monty Python. Admittedly I was allowed to watch this and similar shows and films as a kid in the 90s, under the strict instruction that wasn’t to repeat anything I heard. And I think I turned out okay 🤣❤
Great reaction by the way! I’m glad you loved this. It’s an absolute classic and for the time it was very what you would consider ‘Woke’. With the attitude to Stan wanting to become a woman and making your own decisions instead of following religion or being a sheep. Incredible film! One of my favourites ♥️
I agree with what you said about the differences between the US and the UK in regards to nudity. In the US, we seem to be ok with excessive amounts of violence in our media, but not with nudity, at least on TV.
This movie was controversial when it was released, and led to some boycotts, because of it's perceived mockery of Christianity, and religion in general. The controversy itself was satirized on the British sketch comedy show Not the Nine O'Clock News, with Rowan Atkinson:
ruclips.net/video/asUyK6JWt9U/видео.html
You should check out Monty Python's 70s TV show, Monty Python's Flying Circus, but be forewarned, there is the occasional bit of nudity. Also, their last movie, The Meaning of Life has some.
One of the best satires of religion ever made, not without controversy upon initial release in the mid 70s. This came out not long after the big budget "Jesus of Nazareth" TV mini series. quite a contrast !!
Honestly as a trans woman I LOVE the Loretta sketch bc A) it's just funny, and B) it's played in a very genuine way by Eric Idle, like he's not taking the piss, and it's just kinda sweet that they did this back in the 70s
ah that's amazing to hear! I definitely agree 😊
How's your grip on reality?
As an ally, I love this comment.
People bring that scene up now to say that Monty Python wasn’t “woke” but I always point to the scene at the end when Reg has accepted Loretta’s transition and addresses her as a woman.
As the mother of a trans woman I'm so glad to hear your point of view. I don't think the sketch is intended to be cruel or even anti-trans people, it just addresses Loretta's rather unrealistic hopes of physically bearing a child. Of course, in the future, who knows what might be possible.
Love to all and a Happy New Year. Peace and Love from Australia.
Speaking of Christmas and Eric Idle, maybe you should give Eric's Christmas song a look. It's only a couple of minutes long. 🤣
A little late now, but Eric Idle leads inevitably to Neil Innes, and his Christmas song which is very purposefully bad.
Always look on the bright side of life became the most popular funeral song in the UK outperforming all the hymns that were the most popular beforehand that's British dark humor for you
clear up any confusion, the spaceship is so alien creatures from across the galaxy can travel to earth (this planet), otherwise without a spacecraft they would simply be 'alien creatures not appearing in this film.'
delightful movie reaction !!!
Us Brrryans got it rough. ;) I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)
After this movie you have to watch Not the nine o'clock news Monty python worshippers 😂
Pontius Pilot and Biggus Dickus has me in stitches every time, one can't pronounce his R's and the other has a lisp 😂😂😂
"Welease Wodger!" 🤣🤣🤣
I don't think you could get away with taking the piss out of people with speech impediments nowadays.
12:04 - My name is Krist. K R I S T. It is short for Kristoffer, and is pronounced like a shortened version of that name- the "i" is a short vowel, not a long vowel. "ih" not "eye." Not Christ, but people often (understandably) pronounce it with the long "i".
Years back I found a t-shirt that was perfect, which I wear on special occasions. It's a picture of Brian all angry-faced, saying "I AM the Messiah! Now F#@K OFF!"
The Life of Brian was released in 1980, so... your dad was born after 1980 (if you think they named him after Brian in the movie)? And both your parents are deceased? Were they both in their 30s when they died (if you remember them they had to have still been around when you were a kid)?
Eric Idle did a musical version of this film, oratorio adjacent, with proper professional singers. Well worth a look, and some guest appearances by some other Pythons too. It's call Not The Messiah.
ooh sounds fun!! Thanks for the suggestion! :)
One of my daughters was a musical theater major in high school and college! She played in Spamalot which was the musical version of the Holy Grail!
Proud dad moment for me!
5:12 "Imagine if it was made today." I bet this scene would be a lot more controversial today. When it was released, the religious and political humor was very controversial, but I think people get more freaked out about gender stuff today. Back then, I think people would have been laughing about "People's Front of Judea" and all the other names for Palestinian liberation movements, because they were always in the news and there were tons of splintered groups with similar names that couldn't get along.
‘Tea Time’ is in reference to ‘Tea’ which is what us up north call ‘Dinner’ so obviously the time for the evening meal. It’s not about the drink. Just so you know 🤣
yes I realised that after! It's not as common in the south of England so it didn't come to mind initially 😂
@ Most here including myself call lunch ‘Dinner’ just to be awkward as well. 🤣 I know that doesn’t help the north/south culture divide either 🤣
I was about to say the same as a northerner 😂
Being a soft Southerner tea time is in fact 4 o'clock in the afternoon ON THE DOT when it's time to have several cups of the restoring fluid and maybe a scone or two, maybe a crumpet with strawberry jam or some biscuits. Dinner, which is actually supper, is after seven in the evening, at the earliest. Breakfast happens sometime in the morning, just before elevenses in my case.
I saw this in one of the few cinemas that showed it- general Synod versus Monty Python ( Cleese ) is worth a watch live TV debate - but the film wasnt shown on TV til 1994 on Channel 4
1:30 Megan, you think your father may have been named after the protagonist in this film, which was released in 1979? You think he was born after then?!
😂 I didn’t think of that!! Oops 😅
on the same religious theme but not a comedy, one the the best British movies of all time you should check out is Ken Russel's The Devils the most complete cut available was released by the B.F.I
Several facts with this film, George Harrison backed this film by morgaging his house to set up a film studio called handmade films with another guy, george harrison makes a brief cameo also. Also in this film Jesus is played by Kenneth Colley whom also played Admiral Piett in Star Wars the Empire strikes back and return of the jedi.
If you don't know how to use 'whom', don't try.
I just had to check to see if Kenneth Colley was mentioned in the comments, else I would've added it.
"Theveral Thryrian Atthatthins." 🤣
Just Brilliant! if you want another very British movie, check out
ZULU 1964 (introducing Michael Caine in a lead role)
Nice reaction, I do find it strange how almost intolerant of nudity we've become but extreme violence is almost the norm. For example, on this platform no nudity is allowed but violence abounds. Am not saying showing violence is wrong (it certainly can be) but to me banning nudity is making it abnormal and allowing violence is making it normal. I know which I'd prefer to see.
Great film. Concerning the sidetracking with the spaceship. It was two years after Star Wars, I wonder if it was their cynical way of jumping on the space bandwagon like many were then.
Oh interesting! Maybe it was!
@@MeganRuthTerry Gilliam created that scene and yes it was absolutely because of the Star Wars mania. Gilliam was starting his career as a director and wanted to show that he could be like George Lucas on a fraction of the budget.
almost certainly. Star Wars was late 1977, Life Of Brian is being made mid 1979, so Star Wars is still very much going to be a part of the cultural zeitgeist. Also, the Pythons were an all-star team/A-Team of comedy, each with their own specialty, and with great talent also comes ego, so each star is going to need its turn to shine. That's why there's always a musical number (Eric Idle) and there's always a bizarre cartoon transition (Terry Gilliam). Gilliam's cartoons, by their nature, do not and cannot fit in "logically" to a larger coherent narrative: they were always there to break such things up, to be something else to cut to so they wouldn't have to finish a skit they didn't have an end for. Brian is written into a corner they can't write him out of? Stick in some Gilliam weirdness to be the bridge.
I love this movie. Another Monty Python success.
Bigus Dickus... 🤣🤣🤣🤣 .... Fweee ... Woger. 😅
I know what you mean .. also as a Canadian living in Europe, nudity is much more accepted here. I remember the US media had a fit when Janet Jackson's nipple was exposed for a half second. That would not have been a news story in Europe. OMG .. children might see a nipple.😜 Within this movie I think it is added for more of a funny shock, but not outrageous as might be seen in Canada or the US. Always look on the bright side of life. 😄
.. Okay.. This is MY take on the nudity thing. The short-short version.
Let's just mention "Freikörperkultur" (Free body culture.. Nudism).. It was strong in the late 1900s all over the world.. if talking about America I assume the Hippie movement, free love, back to nature, etc, that was a strong influence in the 60s and 70s influenced people's perspective, and it did influence society and what happened afterwards.. BUT people didn't use to immediately confuse nakedness with sexuality as much as people do today either way..
OR perhaps I should've started a bit earlier.. because.. this all goes in waves.
There is a lot of prudity today that I never could quite identify, because it seem to have gone back to WORSE than it was before the hippie culture... and.. My hypothesis is that this literally is directly a consequence of AIDS. It had kind of existed for a while, but 1970 is around the time you could say it started to hit the western world, and due to how slowly it spreads, and how long it takes before people develop any symptoms (You don't get symptoms from HIV, you have to have autoimmune deficiency syndrome- AIDS- which gives you OTHER diseases which have symptoms, so before people really could readily diagnose HIV just from the virus you had to have had it for a long time, and you can only guess you have it because you get so many different types of other infections).. so.. yeah.. The AIDS pandemic "hit" in the 80s.. people didn't know really how it worked, who had it, or anything. It SEEMED to spread quickly simply because it went from no people, to a bunch of people who all are dying.. The thing with this disease is because it literally feeds the people with antiquated views on sexuality.. It first hit the homosexual scene simply because that is where it was common to exchange partners. They were also kind of a small secret club of initiated members.. so.. even if it is UNLIKELY you get it from sex, they were the ones who kind of played that particular game of chance the most often with the most partners.. so it prettty much spread to everyone at the same time.. This was of course gasoline on the fire for people trying to promote hatred against homosexuals, ESPECIALLY using religious narratives.. Some people even thought of this disease as "the gay disease".. When it was shown that it absolutely had nothing at all to do with homosexuality they STILL could argue that it would be about sexual morality..
When people confuse something that is a disease with morality they start muddling up the waters... So... IF the idea of prudeness and strict anti "sexual freedom" ideas take hold, then of course all other things also start gaining traction.. like.. worrying about general nakedness.
So.. yeah.. I think that it is a chain of events that kind of started with this new disease fueling the idea of morality in people who had a rather conservative christian view and.. their perspective kind of "fit the bill" so even people who didn't accept the Christianity part still kind of were influenced through mere exposure effect and confirmation bias.
There IS a difference between Europe and the USA.. though I'd say there is a HUGE difference in Europe too. I think the reason it is a bit worse in the US is because you kind of constantly validate ideas of moral superiority.. BUT you are a nation that was founded by people who couldn't make a go in their own home nations, OR that had such extreme religious views (Cult like views based on force) that they wanted a law-less place to live so they could do whatever they wanted in the name of their religion.. so.. Most of Europe had religious freedom when the Americas was colonized, but.. When personal freedom to believe what you want isn't enough.. you want to force others too and break laws, etc.. Then... you moved to the USA.. so some of the most extreme cults, the ones being the quickest to try to enforce THEIR views on morality and sexuality.. Moved to the USA.. and I think that history still influences the current cultures in the USA.
HOWEVER.. I'd also say that.. You don't mind nudity in the USA either.. you just whine about it. There ARE a shitload of nakedness in American media EVEN fairly modern American media... Right now I can only think of one example: Game of Thrones.. So.. Technically I'd say that it is fairly important to remember that perspectives often are a bit too biased, and rather related to HOW people do things rather than WHAT they do.
glad you did this reaction, just a shame that a lot of the punchlines in the background (like most of the stoning and the gladiator scene and the food in the coliseum) are lost, can't give a thumbs yp for this, but won't vote it down
You should react to the next film Handmade released... The Long Good Friday (it is a bit more serious than Life Of Brian).
Thanks for the suggestion! 😊
American media presents all kinds of full nudity now. But it was only maybe in the last 10 or 15 years now that it was this common. It was also more common in the 60s and 70s, but selectively.
Great reaction :) Brian is an Irish name btw
My ex is American (don't ask, its a long story) and I remember being amazed at how prudish they seem to be. Always assumed Canadians were more like us Brits in that respect. ;-)
Otto's "s-word squad" at the end, by the way, used to turn up earlier in the film too. Their method of mass protest against the Romans was to "unalive" themselves with big swords, except that none of them were ever brave enough to actually do it. I guess that joke didn't age well so it was edited out but when they turn up at the end it doesn't make sense anymore.
Hope this comment made it past the censor. LOL
I think it's more due to the media over anything else! We watch a lot of American media. And thanks for clearing up the confusion! 😊
Megan, prepare yourself for the story of the kid down the street from Jesus's manger. 😂
😂 it's hilarious!
Or maybe Jesus WAS Brian, sn accidental prophet. Why didn't anyone try to rescue Jesus?
18:10 The suicide squad are… suiciding. 🤷♂️
Film is still banned in a few countries even now.
In 2000 I was based in Italy - all the Italian conscrpts wanted to watch it - so we obliged.
They loved it
I can see why it could be banned in some countries. Their loss! 😂
@MeganRuth
But we also gave them fish and chips and British beer. On us
Even half a German submarine crew.
The captain would pour vodka on his tongue and light it.
Great guy.
Megan, check out the confessions of films if you want 70's humour
Nudity?
I'm not sure it's so much the time period as it is just Monty Python.
fair enough! I guess I just wasn't expecting it since I haven't seen nudity in any of their other material.
@MeganRuth That's true. However, it's the United States that has an issue with nudity on television. Not the U.K.. They take issue with violence instead.
I'm not sure we have our priorities straight here in the U.S.. 🤔
European cinema outside the UK is more lenient with onscreen nudity and sex scenes.
I pwesume you were widiculed at school for your speech impediment but you turned out ok.... ☺
😂 oh I was!
You are going to Love Monty Python's Meaning of Life
No Sermon on the Mount scene or the graffiti scene?
I didnt find the meaning of life that funny,
You didn't get the point of the 'suicide squad'?
Religious people were pissed when this movie came out, mass protests. I had to go through a picket line to see it in peaceful, secular Portland, Maine.
The BBC banned this movie in the UK and it has always been played in the US. Many of these stereotypes go back to the World War II era. Like Brits all boiling their food and having bad teeth. The myth Americans are fatter than Brits when Brits are now winning that battle of the bulge.
I dated a girl from the UK and she was very confrontational. It was what split us up really. She took me being chill about things as I did not care, she was obsesses over a lot of things I don't get upset about.
I feel bad that yt says you only get 20mins of a video yet other reactors get to post 40 plus minutes in their reaction. the system sucks :(
It all depends on the reactor. I edit all of my own videos and it's very time consuming to edit in a way I can avoid blocking from youtube due to copyright. I do have a patreon where you can see the full reaction :)
"He's a very naughty boy!"
haha we would watch this movie in school, it never occured to me as a child that there even was nudity, i literally didnt care or found it funny.
Brits not confrontational, I take it you haven't been here long, to go a football match.
Somehow I thought you would like this Megan....
lol maybe you can name your kid Brian. tootaly after your dad ;P
Quite simply THE FUNNIEST FILM EVER MADE !!
A fun and harmless movie, unless you're a religious idiot with medieval beliefs.
as usual americans Pretend to be prudes. all those rules about swearing etc are incredibly hypocritical.
you just have to Pay ti see it... then suddenly all is allowed
Those laughing at "biggus dickus", were all told if they'd laugh at the scene they wouldn't get paid, guess none of them got paid that day, im English and im so proud that NO OTHER COUNTRY has produced such fantastic comedy
Plus they were not told the lines either
😂 omg! That's hilarious!!
That’s complete nonsense. They were proper actors and they knew the script properly just as much as usual. The idea that they didn’t know the lines, or that they were told not to laugh is repeated many times on the internet but it’s just not true.
That is absolutely not true.
The 4 guards played 12 different roles in the movie and one of them was part of the writing team.
Charles McKeown was the first guard to laugh, he played 4 different roles in the film was involved throughout filming and was personal friends with Michael Palin, John Cleese and Terry Jones (the films Director)
Chris Langham, the guard pulling the face is a well known comic actor, writer and producer, well known for his work on British TV, and his involvement on Not The Nine O'clock News, he played 2 roles in the film and was personal friends with the Monty python team.
Andrew MacLachlen the guard behind Brian on the right was a well known comic actor, he played 2 roles in the film and was involved in filming from the start, he had worked many times with Monty python and was a personal family friend of Michael Palin.
The guard behind Brian on the left was an icon within British comedy, the great Bernard McKenna, he played 4 different roles in the film and was part of the writing team and was one of the main writers for scene 13, the Biggus scene people always try to pretend the actors didn't know the script.
Scene 13 wasn't done in one take, it was filmed like all the film many times from different angles, they also rehearse the same many times and the guards laughing at the correct time was very important as it was how Brian escaped.
The actors being threatened with not getting paid for laughing in this one scene is just a myth.
@@therealianwest
That's absolutely not true.
I wanted to like your reaction but you skip over too much too frequently and spoil all the jokes
You stop too much. I lost intrest