LOTS of jokes had to be cut for this edit-- what's your fav joke that didn't make the cut? HOLY GRAIL reaction: ruclips.net/video/hH7Vqz84ka4/видео.html NAKED GUN reaction: ruclips.net/video/OEu7VnCfIPc/видео.html COMED Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLQHhQlj8i5dom33r48W9VdQjINncfXrLh
Fun facts One of the people in the crowded house scene is George Harrison of the Beatles (spot the Liverpool accent) The guy left alone in the street in the chasing the Messiah scene is Spike Milligan of the Goons😉
My theory about the alien scene: Just before this film came out a book was published about the possibility of ancient aliens visiting Earth & bringing new technology to Earth's humans. The book became a huge bestseller. Written by Erich von Daniken it was titled "Chariots of the Gods". We also recently have the History channel's series "Ancient Aliens" that probably relies a bit on von Danikens book. Me?....I don't know what to believe....just know that this film is hilarious!
About the budget, they actually had to find private funding, and it was George Harrisson (of The Beatles) who did it. He heard about the movie lacking funds and he wanted to watch it. He later commented it was the most expensive movie ticket ever.
One of the few reactors that left in Spike Milligan's near-film-stealing scene, the man left behind by the crowd during the chase scene; he was the godfather of British comedy, without him there wouldn't have been Monty Python. He happened to be on holiday in Tunisia during filming, just turned up on set and they immediately offered him a scene. The way he suddenly realizes he's all alone and embarrassingly sidles off is genius.😅
True story: During the Falklands War, as the crew of the HMS Sheffield bobbed around in their life rafts, they all suddenly burst into a spontaneous rendition of "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life".
If you had to pick a single peak moment for Monty Python across their four seasons of sketch comedy and all their movies, this is it. An amazing movie that gets better every time you watch it.
It may be an unpopular opinion but this film is my least favorite of the 3 Monty Python theatrical releases mainly due to the fact that due to the cohesive narrative structure of Life of Brian I feel some of the jokes go on too long. Their form of absurdist comedy works best if you don't push the joke too long.
@maxducoudray OK, maybe I phrased that wrong. I prefer when they do this form of signature comedy that it gets switched up more like in Holy Grail or the skit format of Meaning of Life.
"I'm a hooknose, a heebee...I'm Kosher mum, and proud of it". Why the Christians got their (big) noses so out of joint over this film, when the Jews made no fuss over this stereotype has baffled me since I saw this on its initial release.
When star Graham Chapman died the entire cast got together and sang "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life" at his funeral. It's the number one requested funeral song in Britain.
The best thing about the opening song (apart from the comically out of place Goldfinger copy) is that the lyrics tell Brian's story from birth to the point where the rest of the film starts and so the life of Brian is completely covered during the running time.
That's actually a mighty big aspect that you are setting "apart" here. I am not a native speaker of English and when I first watched the movie at age 10 or 11 (not the original audio), I didn't understand the lyrics of the song. But I did get the James Bond reference immediately.
A latin expert on youtube made an analysis of this and it was spot on. Most of it I still remembered from my Latin class back in the day. But I would have gotten the distinction between accusative and locative wrong. That is an edge case, but a common one.
the man left on his own when Brian loses his shoe, 16:46 is Spike Milligan writer and star (with Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe) of the 1950's BBC radio programme 'The Goon Show' which literally changed British comedy, all of the Pythons have said numerous times over the years that without Spike Milligan there would be no Monty Python! Spike wasn't meant to be in the movie he was visiting battlefields he had fought on (and very nearly died on) during WW2, including Tunisia where LOB was being filmed, when the Pythons found out they begged him to make an appearance, and when he had he continued on his holiday.
My favorite line is the guy who sees Brian walk away from the wreckage of the spaceship and says, "Oh, you lucky bastard." Like having a spaceship crash into the streets of Roman Jerusalem was no big deal, just walking away from it.
Such a good observant reaction/commentary. I'm with you on the preacher guy... Michael Palin has such an engaging acting presence, could listen for hours. Loved his Leper character too! Forever my favourite Python
It’s amazing that all these years later, after one single viewing, Jen was able to get what the joke of the movie was so completely: it’s a stab at organised religion, not the life of Jesus. The attacks on this film when it came out were so completely off the mark. It’s like the protests against Kevin Smith’s film Dogma. As he said “if a guy in a rubber shit monster suit can make you question your religious beliefs, those beliefs weren’t too strong to begin with”.
Every attack by religious people on this movie was "You're making fun of us to such a degree and accuracy that it makes us think, which makes us uncomfortable, so we're going to pretend this movie makes fun of Jesus"
The alien spacecraft scene, as I interpret it, is a microcosm of Brian's absurd life. Brian Cohen just wanted to live a good life, but Life decided to throw every strange and absurd and maddening thing imaginable at him. Everything that could go wrong in his life went wrong!
Re: the aliens. I think the guiding star that lead the three wise men at the start was the passing space ship. I think they were going for something like, however grand the events appear to be on earth, its still just a small anonymous little rock with much grander things happening on the cosmic scale.
I have to recommend the Marx Brothers, Jen. They are where movie “hard comedy” really started. Their best film is *Duck Soup* but the best introduction is *A Night At The Opera* . Seeing the kings of comedy from the 1930s will really contextualize all the other comedies you see, too. Cheers! As I’ve said before, I love your reactions!
The Tagline reads "So Funny It Was Banned In Norway" because it was offensive to Christians Jews and Catholics, as they knew it was mocking their religion. It was banned in several different countries. There is a scene where a man named Stan reveals to be trans and wants to have children, but his friends are shocked by this revelation. Most people find this very offensive to the LGBTQ community. John Cleese refused to have the scene removed or deleted from any platforms.
Yeah it's getting annoying now I mean like if your watch crocodile Dundee 2 on the TV when he throws a python at a guy and yells "oh shit" they cut him saying that out
At the time this movie was ready to film, the TV mini-series "Jesus of Nazareth" was wrapping up. So Monty Python "inherited" all the sets and most of the costumes. That helped their budget a lot.
Must react to 2 python-esque movies that are rarely reacted to so you'd stand out if you did. "Time Bandits" and "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen". Both were done by writer/director Terry Gilliam of Monty Python. And both classics.
There's a Scottish reactor called Dawn Marie who has reacted to them films as well as all the Monty Python films and t.v shows, she absolutely loves the Python boys and their style of comedy, and loves seeing any of the cast making cameos in other films and t.v shows.
@@MarkLloyd72 I watch her and saw those reactions. She's good. One of very few who reacted to Baron Munchausen. Shame there aren't more with such a great movie.
@@benbamboo5558 Yeah I agree with you but sadly some reactors only do films they know will be a big hit, that's why I like Dawn's channel and Jens channel as they are both prepared to give any style of movie a go.
The epic theme song at the start was sung by a Welsh girl named Sonia Jones who - amazingly - was only 16 at the time. She went on to have a successful career as a session singer. BTW, the spaceship sequence was sending up books like "Chariots of the Gods" and "Spaceships of Ezekiel", which claimed that events in the Bible, mythology and/or ancient folklore were evidence of aliens intervening in human history. These books, and the films and TV shows they spawned, were hugely popular at the time.
@@ericbonham8159 The biblical connection with the likes of von Däniken's and Blumrich's best-selling books is irresistible. Those "ancient alien" theories were huge at the time, a time which largely pre-dated any retro references to Star Wars.
@@ericbonham8159 Indeed, which is why it's inherently unlikely that "Star Wars" tropes had begun to be commonplace at the time. It's self-evident that the alien abduction sequence was a reference to the fad of "ancient aliens" that had been rampant since von Däniken's _Chariots of the Gods_ book, film and sequels captured the popular imagination from the late 1960s onwards. In contrast, Star Wars only hit UK cinemas in December 1977, whereas the script for The Life Of Brian was finished in January 1978. Hardly enough time for "Star Wars" clichés to have bedded in to the extent that they could be ripe for satire in a Monty Python movie.
"I'm Brian... and so is my wife!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Apparently there are UFOs mentioned in the Bible, that's why the Spaceship sequence was included. "The Life of Brian" was banned in the UK by the Church which only served to raise the movie's profile in the few theatres that showed it. Good Reaction Jen. 👍🏻
@@SamuelBlack84 Back in the 1970's the Church had a stronger influence and spoke out to condemn things it thought inappropriate. You can find a debate hosted by the BBC between Pailn & Cleese and a couple of high-up clergymen about "The Life of Brian" and the issues the Church had with it here on RUclips.
@Steve Ross I've seen it, and it's pathetic. The church is just one of countless organisations distributing lies and peddling it as 'truth' Everyone should think for themselves and enjoy all the pleasures of the flesh
The church didn't ban it in the UK. A few local councils refused to allow it to be shown in their area (possibly under pressure from the church), but otherwise it was shown all over the place.
I always have respect for the Life of Brian reactors who include the Boring Prophet talking about the rapier work base that has an attachment in their RUclips edit.
And Now For Something Completely Different is a Monty Python must watch. It's a feature-length film remake of all of their best sketches from the TV show, made with a higher-budget.
My high school Latin teacher let us watch this countless times and my dad was a fan, so have seen this more times than any other movie! The Latin grammar scene always brings back memories of the good kind.
From what I remember, the Latin scene is accurate. Monty Python has a few Latin bits in the movies/tv show. Our Latin teacher would show us that scene at the end of the year, lol
This was indeed nutso , bonkers , wacky whatever word you chose but fantastic fun , how random was that alien scene lol we brits love being random thats for sure 😀 enjoyed your British accents very much jen splendid ! Just marvelous! Btw id give you a run for your money in a how bad are you at whistling game 😂 this was another banger of a reaction cheers jen 🙌
Hi Jen, the song was written by Eric Idle the guy who was singing it for the movie. He has also written the theme tune for a Tv sitcom called (One Foot In The Grave).
More Monty! Welcome to the people's front of Judea! Oh I'm sorry I meant the Judean people's front...you know what I mean. Jen did you enjoy the scene with Brian at his balcony window? 😊 Thanks again Jen, and remember...Always look on the bright side of life! 😊....Eric
The alien scene is there for some reasons: 1. the Pythons loved to confuse their audience. 2. it's the most absurd deus ex machina in movie history. 3. Animator Terry Gilliam (who co directed Holy Grail) had somethng to do. 4. every movie at that time needed a Star Wars scene. 5. all that expense only for the short punchline "You lucky bastard!".
My last rewatch for the moment, as I have to go out. Really really enjoyed seeing your reaction to this again, Jen. As for the song at the end, I'm sure that you're now aware that it does indeed come from this film. I'll see you later for your next Horror reaction. 😊
Love your appreciation for a good score. _Holy Grail_ was scored with library cues, but _Brian_ was composed by Geoffrey Burgon, best known for British TV shows like _Brideshead Revisited_ and _Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy._ I've been hoping for an official soundtrack release for years but so far it's just the _Life of Brian_ comedy album (audio clips from the film with some hilarious recording-studio narration) and a very rare bootleg that's probably just the exact same clips.
11:10 funny you should mention The Princess Bride, Rob Reiner’s first choice to play the impressive clergyman with the speech impediment was Michael Palin, who plays Pontious in this movie (among various other roles). However, he was already scheduled to work on another movie, A Fish Called Wanda, also with John Cleese.
The "crazy alien" section always makes me laugh. It actually deals with the story of Jakobs Ladder in the bible. So SO suibtle for those in on the joke. (NO disrespect intended toward anyone)
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life is one of my favorites. I find it similar in style to the Monty Python's Flying Circus television series in that it is more vignettes around a common theme rather than a contiguous narrative. It also contains my favorite musical number, and on a grand scale!
Hi Jen, thanks for reacting to one of my favourite comedies! Saw it in the cinema on opening weekend and everybody was laughing so much we couldn't hear all the jokes!! Life of Brian appeared in movies about 2 years after the wildly popular Star Wars (later subtitled Episode 4). That's why Terry Gilliam added the space battle. :D
"Always Look On the Bright Side of Life" was written by the guy singing it (Eric Idle). This song was sung by the crews of the HMS Coventry and the HMS Sheffield while they awaited rescue on their stricken vessels during the Falkland island war.
If I remember correctly, while Christmas is the celebration of his birth, Jesus wasn't actually born in December... I think he was actually supposed to be born in like April or June or something... I think the 25 of December was originally a celebration for some sort of sun god that the Roman Emperor used to worship... Also around that time of year was the Roman festival of Saturnalia, I believe... After the Romans switched the state religion to Christianity, they tried to repurpose some of the existing celebrations... Something like that...
That is correct, its called "syncretism" which the church started doing once it got its official status in Rome, since they needed to "convert" hundreds of year old roman religion into the new Christianity emperor Constantine adopted, but the practice continued beyond Rome's demise...
This movie was actually close to not being made at all. The original funding was pulled just a few days before the Pythons were to go on location to shoot it, but at the last minute, former Beatle George Harrison came through with the needed funds because, as he put it, "I want to see the movie". I think he has a small part somewhere in this as well.
Fab reaction. That opening credits song was definitely a homage to Goldfinger. Yep pretty sure Always look on the bright side of life is an Eric Idle song written for this film. If you want a fun quiz time why not see if you can name every single character played by each actor for both holy Grail and life of Brian. Good luck ☺
Their other movie is "The Meaning of Life" from 1983 and it is a series of disconnected sketches, even less of a sustained narrative than "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." It's basically a feature-length version of their old TV show in structure. There are a number of must-watch scenes in it, though, so I do recommend it.
There are several Monty Python movies left. 1) *Monty Python's Meaning of Life* - It tells a story of the meaning of life through different skits & songs. Depending on your type of humor. It can be downright hillarious or downright gross. 2) *And Now Something Completely Different* - It's a movie of some of their favorite skits from their BBC TV series *Monty Python's Flying Circus. 3) Rest of the films are the Monty Python troupe performed skits live in front of an audience. *Live at the Hollywood Bowl* is a very funny movie. 4) Spamalot - It's a musical Broadway play of *Monty Python & the Holy Grail* written by Eric Idle (Reg aka Lorette in Life of Brian).
Fun fact: Life of Brian had a much bigger budget than Holy Grail because it was funded by a certain Mr. George Harrison (former Beatle and huge Monty Python fan).
The spaceship scene was a parodistic take on the "deus ex machina" or "god from outside the events" narrative tool when a convenient event saves the hero from an otherwise inescapable situation.
Actually, many theories about who Jesus was include the notion that he might have been an alien being, from a species with higher intelligence than ours, who came to Earth to help advance mankind. I think the spaceship rescue could have been inspired by that since the movie overall satirizes the bases for religious faith.
As a fellow Canadian, there is one skit that you HAVE too watch... it is from their old show (Flying Circus), and is a realy popular one... even being performed by the original actor at Just For Laughs. I am certain you will enjoy the Lumberjacks Song!
Romanes Eunt Domus does indeed translate in English to "People called Romanes they go 'the house'" and Romani ite Domum is the correct grammar for "Romans go Home!" Not only is the final product correct but the entire lesson, with the reasons why and Brians recital of the conjugation of "eunt" is correct, and if you've studied Latin you'll get horrendous flashbacks to your teachers eviscerating your work in exactly this sort of manner. To the point where it's generally possible to tell the difference between people who've studied Latin reacting to this and people who haven't (if you haven't studied Latin "Romanes Eunt Domus" is just a sort of slight chuckle at the absurdity of the Roman Centurion teaching the Jewish Insurgent Latin, if you have it's in strong competition for one of the funniest moments of the entire film).
Also small trivia fact: When the Falklands War broke out in 1982 Life of Brian was fairly new still, a British Destroyer, HMS Sheffield was hit by a missile and sank. Passing the time until they could be rescued the surviving crew sang "Always look on the Bright Side of Life" while in the water, because, as the song says: "Worse things happen at sea you know?"
#teamfollowthegourd 😁 At the beginning they did intend to do a comedy about Jesus (at one point he was going to be a clumsy carpenter that kept accidentally hammering nails through his hands!), but they changed their mind when they realised that there wasn’t really all that much they could satirise or spoof about him. Instead they satirised the world around him and used it to target organised religion. The scene where everyone starts following Brian captured the whole story of religion in a couple of minutes! The whole thing with the various activist groups fighting each other was also pretty accurate to the time, as there was a lot of a political and social unrest in and around Jerusalem under the Roman occupation. It was also a direct satire on the political situation in London in the late 70s, where there were a lot of far-left revolutionary groups making big plans, but they hated each other so much that they never got anything done! Solidarity, brother! ✊
Yes, it had a bigger budget, mainly because one of The Beatles (George Harrison) helped fund it. Yes, the song was written for the movie by Eric Idle, the Python member who sang it at the end.
the weird guy with the coconuts in the holy grail is also the animator for all MP TV shows and films. He s also directed many amazing films like Timebandits, 12 Monkeys and many more
18:35 “This Girl” Judith grew up to be a Mayor of, I think, a Welsh city. And organized the citizens to see the movie for free as an anniversary gift. 🤷🏼♂️
John Cleese recently told some "modern" nut jobs to "piss off" ( mimicking Brian's mum ) who were demanding the best joke, "I want to be a woman", be censored from the stage show and the film. God I love that man. You need to react to "A Fish called Wanda" Jen, its hysterical.
You should check out the contemporary "Saturday Night, Sunday Morning" Interview with Cleese and Palin, and Malcom Muggeridge... or the BBC documentary/film about the interview - also a Sketch by 'Not the Nine O'Clock News, parodying the interview and situation.. I loved that Judith's actress later became the Mayor of her own hometown and overturned the ban prohibiting the showing of Brian in the local movie theatre there... I loved less that my mother was one of the people, who not having seen it declared it blasphemous and wrote letters to the BBC and the local council trying to have it not broadcast, or screened in my home town... though I wasn't old enough to have seen it when released I do recall her getting upset over a movie she hadn't seen, wasn't going to see (and to this day hasn't seen) and thinking her a bit ... cray-cray. Fine, don't watch it (though I still think she should, she's laughed at most of the jokes from it, it being a source of many fine satirical quotations...), but let others make their own choices and quit ignorantly interfering with what others can choose to watch.
Hooray for more Monty Python! Some trivia: When Michael Palin as Pontius Pilate addressed the soldiers daring them to laugh, he was truly daring them. The soldier extras were ordered to stand there and not laugh, but not told what Palin was going to do. Palin, in fact, can barely stifle his own laughter when saying "Biggus Dickus" in front of the soldier asked if he finds the name "risible". For more comedy I suggest the film from "Weird Al" Yankovic called UHF 🙂
Uggh, how do we kill this story, it's fake, wrong, an EX-anecdote, it should cease to be! All of the actors are known comedic actors most would have been recognisable at the time.
This movie almost didn't get made but for Mr George Harrison of the Beatles 😮. He read the script and called Eric Idle and said that he wanted to see it and even has a cameo in it. See if you can find it ☺️. He says hello 👋. Clue, it's the part where cleese says get that baby out of the saviors face 👀.
Wow, this is literally the first reaction to this movie where somebody knew the song! That's so impressive! Yes, it is from this movie. I can watch this for the 1000th time and still laugh my butt off, such a classic! "I'm Brian and so is my wife!" 🤣🤣🤣
When Michael Palin as Pontius Pilate addressed the soldiers daring them to laugh, he was truly daring them. The soldier extras were ordered to stand there and not laugh, but not told what Palin was going to do. Palin, in fact, can barely stifle his own laughter when saying "Biggus Dickus" in front of the soldier asked if he finds the name "risible". Hoping you'll complete the set with Meaning of Life(1983) and my favorite, And Now For Something Completely Different(1971)
That's not true however. Where do you lot get this nonsense from.? Firstly the guards were played by respected professional actors not extras. The four actors played 12 different roles in the film one of them was part of the writing team, they all I ew,what scene 13 was about and were not told not to laugh, then laughing was a major part of the story as it was now Brain gets away.
Great reaction to my favourite Python movie :). "The Meaning of Life" is worth reacting to IMO but it definitely _is_ very much a series of vignettes on a theme (even moreso than 'Holy Grail' i'd say).
Actually there are four Monthy Python movies (everybody seems to forget about And Now For Something Completely Different, which is a collection of the best sketches from their TV shows reenacted for the movies). There are also several other movies that subgroups of the Pythons made. A Fish Called Wanda, Eric The Viking, Yellowbeard and probably a few more that I forgot.
great reactions as usual Jen. as well as 'holy grail' 'brian' and 'meaning of life' there's also ,...'and now for something completely different' which not many people react to. it's a compilation of sketches from the TV show, and imho is well worth a look.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
LOTS of jokes had to be cut for this edit-- what's your fav joke that didn't make the cut?
HOLY GRAIL reaction: ruclips.net/video/hH7Vqz84ka4/видео.html
NAKED GUN reaction: ruclips.net/video/OEu7VnCfIPc/видео.html
COMED Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLQHhQlj8i5dom33r48W9VdQjINncfXrLh
If you enjoyed one, you'll enjoy them all!
🤘🌎❤
OK Jen, we had some good laughs with this one. Now we need to get back to some good Sci Fi. My suggestion, Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey 😊
3rd Monty Python movie, please. 👍
Fun facts
One of the people in the crowded house scene is George Harrison of the Beatles (spot the Liverpool accent)
The guy left alone in the street in the chasing the Messiah scene is Spike Milligan of the Goons😉
The third one does have one of the greatest musical numbers in cinema
"Ireland has only banned 3 movies ever... 2 of them are mine." - Terry Jones
The alien scene served the purpose of getting Brian from the top of that tower to the ground...and that's all. lol!
My theory about the alien scene: Just before this film came out a book was published about the possibility of ancient aliens visiting Earth & bringing new technology to Earth's humans. The book became a huge bestseller. Written by Erich von Daniken it was titled "Chariots of the Gods". We also recently have the History channel's series "Ancient Aliens" that probably relies a bit on von Danikens book. Me?....I don't know what to believe....just know that this film is hilarious!
About the budget, they actually had to find private funding, and it was George Harrisson (of The Beatles) who did it. He heard about the movie lacking funds and he wanted to watch it. He later commented it was the most expensive movie ticket ever.
Well, George did make his money back. And then some. Still it was a big risk going in.
Harrison also made an appearance as a beard seller.
And it led to him producing many films, which made him millions.
@@DavidB-2268no
Big risk?
He put out Friar Park up as security. If the movie had flopped he would have to find another place to sleep.
I like how they had the whole spaceship bit just to explain how Brian fell off a tower and didn't die.
I could watch an endless loop of reactors reacting to that scene for days. It may be the most out of left field scene ever shot in a movie.
Talk about your MIRACLES... 😳😲🤯
pretty sure they were pandering to the star wars crowd
it was a pretty big deal at the time
It was just after Star Wars so they ticked that box and moved on.
It's also a reference to various small, fringe cults who believe that Jesus was an alien. See, for example, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raelism.
The old man in a lion cloth dancing around, kicking dirt, going “Jeho-VAH Jeho-VAH Jeho-VAH!” is my favorite thing.
One of the few reactors that left in Spike Milligan's near-film-stealing scene, the man left behind by the crowd during the chase scene; he was the godfather of British comedy, without him there wouldn't have been Monty Python. He happened to be on holiday in Tunisia during filming, just turned up on set and they immediately offered him a scene. The way he suddenly realizes he's all alone and embarrassingly sidles off is genius.😅
True story: During the Falklands War, as the crew of the HMS Sheffield bobbed around in their life rafts, they all suddenly burst into a spontaneous rendition of "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life".
😂❤
👍
"Reg, our glorious leader and founder of the PFJ will not be joining us, as he has a bad back."
That line cracked my late father up every time.
The song was indeed written for this movie. It's iconic.
It's pretty much the unofficial national anthem for the UK, and gets played at God-knows-how-many funerals
@@christianwise637 I kinda want it to be played at my funeral as well. I'm German though, haha.
@@christianwise637 Starting with the guy who played Brian's.
I believe that this song was written for the movie by the late great Harry Nilsson. He was friends with Eric Idle.
@@edwardthorne9875 No, it was written by Eric Idle
If you had to pick a single peak moment for Monty Python across their four seasons of sketch comedy and all their movies, this is it. An amazing movie that gets better every time you watch it.
@@LeviBulger Somehow, British comedy does lowbrow better than anyone.
It may be an unpopular opinion but this film is my least favorite of the 3 Monty Python theatrical releases mainly due to the fact that due to the cohesive narrative structure of Life of Brian I feel some of the jokes go on too long. Their form of absurdist comedy works best if you don't push the joke too long.
@@bjgandalf69 Weird. I can't think of a single sequence in this movie that overstays its welcome.
@maxducoudray OK, maybe I phrased that wrong. I prefer when they do this form of signature comedy that it gets switched up more like in Holy Grail or the skit format of Meaning of Life.
I'm partial to the Spanish Inquisition.
"A Red Sea pedestrian". The best line ever!
"I'm a hooknose, a heebee...I'm Kosher mum, and proud of it". Why the Christians got their (big) noses so out of joint over this film, when the Jews made no fuss over this stereotype has baffled me since I saw this on its initial release.
"You are all individuals." "I'm Not!" "Shush!" My favourite exchange in the entire film. They just don't make them like they used to anymore.
Perfection scripting....
That gag was ad libbed during filming.
"I'M BRIAN OF NAZARETH AND SO'S MY WIFE!"
You only need "You are all individuals." "I'm not!"
When star Graham Chapman died the entire cast got together and sang "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life" at his funeral. It's the number one requested funeral song in Britain.
I akso ike that John Cleese said, during the eulogy, "Personally, I'm glad the freeloading b*stard's dead" to roars of laughter.
"Always look on the bright side of Life." I love how cheery that final number is, despite the rather grim conclusion!
My mom loved the song they sing at the end of the movie and after she passed a few years ago we all got up and sung it at her funeral reception.
Thanks, jen .. he's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy !
The best thing about the opening song (apart from the comically out of place Goldfinger copy) is that the lyrics tell Brian's story from birth to the point where the rest of the film starts and so the life of Brian is completely covered during the running time.
That's actually a mighty big aspect that you are setting "apart" here.
I am not a native speaker of English and when I first watched the movie at age 10 or 11 (not the original audio), I didn't understand the lyrics of the song. But I did get the James Bond reference immediately.
Great reaction Jen!
"Is that Grammar correct?"
Heh it should be because John Cleese was a former Latin teacher, so I think he knows his stuff.
A latin expert on youtube made an analysis of this and it was spot on.
Most of it I still remembered from my Latin class back in the day. But I would have gotten the distinction between accusative and locative wrong. That is an edge case, but a common one.
@@windsaw151 Wow, I never figured that, that is interesting. I'm learning Latin myself
It's "grammar" BTW (with an 'a'). Normally I wouldn't bother but in this instance a pedantic correction seems entirely appropriate :).
@@anonymes2884 Now write that 100 times or I’ll cut your balls off.
@@anonymes2884 thank you for that, just don't let the Roman Centurion know that, he'd cut me up LOL
Jen's giggle makes it all worth the watch.
the man left on his own when Brian loses his shoe, 16:46 is Spike Milligan writer and star (with Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe) of the 1950's BBC radio programme 'The Goon Show' which literally changed British comedy, all of the Pythons have said numerous times over the years that without Spike Milligan there would be no Monty Python! Spike wasn't meant to be in the movie he was visiting battlefields he had fought on (and very nearly died on) during WW2, including Tunisia where LOB was being filmed, when the Pythons found out they begged him to make an appearance, and when he had he continued on his holiday.
The grammar is correct. John Cleese used to teach Latin! 😀
The "Worse things happen at sea" line took on a new level of meaning when the crew of HMS Sheffield sang it in 1982 - as the ship was sinking.
How many people spotted Spike Milligan (who was on holiday in Tunisia while the film was being made) and roped him in? 🙂
My favorite line is the guy who sees Brian walk away from the wreckage of the spaceship and says, "Oh, you lucky bastard." Like having a spaceship crash into the streets of Roman Jerusalem was no big deal, just walking away from it.
Best part though is the little should shrug Brian makes, like i can't explain it too, don't think too hard about it
George Harrison put up the money for the film because he read the script and wanted to see it 😆
John Cleese.s character tries to introduce him to Brian right after the you have to think for yourself speech.
Such a good observant reaction/commentary. I'm with you on the preacher guy... Michael Palin has such an engaging acting presence, could listen for hours. Loved his Leper character too! Forever my favourite Python
It’s amazing that all these years later, after one single viewing, Jen was able to get what the joke of the movie was so completely: it’s a stab at organised religion, not the life of Jesus. The attacks on this film when it came out were so completely off the mark. It’s like the protests against Kevin Smith’s film Dogma. As he said “if a guy in a rubber shit monster suit can make you question your religious beliefs, those beliefs weren’t too strong to begin with”.
Every attack by religious people on this movie was "You're making fun of us to such a degree and accuracy that it makes us think, which makes us uncomfortable, so we're going to pretend this movie makes fun of Jesus"
The alien spacecraft scene, as I interpret it, is a microcosm of Brian's absurd life.
Brian Cohen just wanted to live a good life, but Life decided to throw every strange and absurd and maddening thing imaginable at him.
Everything that could go wrong in his life went wrong!
Is it just me or do that spacecraft have a cunning resemblence with The Beatles yellow submarine?
This movie sums up religion and political protest movements perfectly. The cast of Monty Python were geniuses.
Re: the aliens. I think the guiding star that lead the three wise men at the start was the passing space ship. I think they were going for something like, however grand the events appear to be on earth, its still just a small anonymous little rock with much grander things happening on the cosmic scale.
I have to recommend the Marx Brothers, Jen. They are where movie “hard comedy” really started. Their best film is *Duck Soup* but the best introduction is *A Night At The Opera* . Seeing the kings of comedy from the 1930s will really contextualize all the other comedies you see, too. Cheers! As I’ve said before, I love your reactions!
By BEST you meant to say Animal Crackers. HOORAY For Captain Spaulding!
She would be great with Marx Brothers. A Night At The Opera definitely. A Day At The Races too.
I echo your suggestion for the Marx Brothers.
@@chetstevensq Hello! I must be going.
A day at the races!
The Tagline reads "So Funny It Was Banned In Norway" because it was offensive to Christians Jews and Catholics, as they knew it was mocking their religion. It was banned in several different countries.
There is a scene where a man named Stan reveals to be trans and wants to have children, but his friends are shocked by this revelation. Most people find this very offensive to the LGBTQ community. John Cleese refused to have the scene removed or deleted from any platforms.
Ireland as well . Banned
Yeah it's getting annoying now I mean like if your watch crocodile Dundee 2 on the TV when he throws a python at a guy and yells "oh shit" they cut him saying that out
At the time this movie was ready to film, the TV mini-series "Jesus of Nazareth" was wrapping up. So Monty Python "inherited" all the sets and most of the costumes. That helped their budget a lot.
Must react to 2 python-esque movies that are rarely reacted to so you'd stand out if you did. "Time Bandits" and "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen". Both were done by writer/director Terry Gilliam of Monty Python. And both classics.
There's a Scottish reactor called Dawn Marie who has reacted to them films as well as all the Monty Python films and t.v shows, she absolutely loves the Python boys and their style of comedy, and loves seeing any of the cast making cameos in other films and t.v shows.
@@MarkLloyd72 I watch her and saw those reactions. She's good. One of very few who reacted to Baron Munchausen. Shame there aren't more with such a great movie.
@@benbamboo5558 Yeah I agree with you but sadly some reactors only do films they know will be a big hit, that's why I like Dawn's channel and Jens channel as they are both prepared to give any style of movie a go.
Time Bandits is mandatory at this point. ;)
The epic theme song at the start was sung by a Welsh girl named Sonia Jones who - amazingly - was only 16 at the time. She went on to have a successful career as a session singer.
BTW, the spaceship sequence was sending up books like "Chariots of the Gods" and "Spaceships of Ezekiel", which claimed that events in the Bible, mythology and/or ancient folklore were evidence of aliens intervening in human history. These books, and the films and TV shows they spawned, were hugely popular at the time.
I always attribute the spaceship sequence to mocking movies throwing in sci-fi elements following the release of Star Wars.
I hadn't heard that song in a long time, and was wondering if it was Shirley Bassey!
@@ericbonham8159 The biblical connection with the likes of von Däniken's and Blumrich's best-selling books is irresistible. Those "ancient alien" theories were huge at the time, a time which largely pre-dated any retro references to Star Wars.
@@ftumschk Retro reference? This film was produced while Star Wars was still in release.
@@ericbonham8159 Indeed, which is why it's inherently unlikely that "Star Wars" tropes had begun to be commonplace at the time. It's self-evident that the alien abduction sequence was a reference to the fad of "ancient aliens" that had been rampant since von Däniken's _Chariots of the Gods_ book, film and sequels captured the popular imagination from the late 1960s onwards.
In contrast, Star Wars only hit UK cinemas in December 1977, whereas the script for The Life Of Brian was finished in January 1978. Hardly enough time for "Star Wars" clichés to have bedded in to the extent that they could be ripe for satire in a Monty Python movie.
"I'm Brian... and so is my wife!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Apparently there are UFOs mentioned in the Bible, that's why the Spaceship sequence was included.
"The Life of Brian" was banned in the UK by the Church which only served to raise the movie's profile in the few theatres that showed it.
Good Reaction Jen. 👍🏻
Since when did the church have total and complete authority over the country?
@@SamuelBlack84 Back in the 1970's the Church had a stronger influence and spoke out to condemn things it thought inappropriate. You can find a debate hosted by the BBC between Pailn & Cleese and a couple of high-up clergymen about "The Life of Brian" and the issues the Church had with it here on RUclips.
@Steve Ross I've seen it, and it's pathetic. The church is just one of countless organisations distributing lies and peddling it as 'truth'
Everyone should think for themselves and enjoy all the pleasures of the flesh
@@SamuelBlack84 Well, yes. They've been doing that for 2000+ years. Thankfully their influence has dropped sharply in recent times.
The church didn't ban it in the UK. A few local councils refused to allow it to be shown in their area (possibly under pressure from the church), but otherwise it was shown all over the place.
I always have respect for the Life of Brian reactors who include the Boring Prophet talking about the rapier work base that has an attachment in their RUclips edit.
Love that guy 😂😂
And Now For Something Completely Different is a Monty Python must watch. It's a feature-length film remake of all of their best sketches from the TV show, made with a higher-budget.
"Crucifixion's a doddle" 😂😂😂😂
Thank you for an awesome reaction to one of my favourite Python films. From this moment on, you shall be called Jen that is called Jen.
☺️👍
My high school Latin teacher let us watch this countless times and my dad was a fan, so have seen this more times than any other movie! The Latin grammar scene always brings back memories of the good kind.
From what I remember, the Latin scene is accurate. Monty Python has a few Latin bits in the movies/tv show. Our Latin teacher would show us that scene at the end of the year, lol
It is indeed correct! John Cleese used to teach Latin before he went into comedy.
This was indeed nutso , bonkers , wacky whatever word you chose but fantastic fun , how random was that alien scene lol we brits love being random thats for sure 😀 enjoyed your British accents very much jen splendid ! Just marvelous! Btw id give you a run for your money in a how bad are you at whistling game 😂 this was another banger of a reaction cheers jen 🙌
This movie is a masterpiece. I love it
No It Isn't!
Woohoo! Jen and Monty Python together! I must be some kind of freaking saint for god to bless me with such goodness.
Hi Jen, the song was written by Eric Idle the guy who was singing it for the movie. He has also written the theme tune for a Tv sitcom called (One Foot In The Grave).
Check out The Rutles too.
More Monty! Welcome to the people's front of Judea! Oh I'm sorry I meant the Judean people's front...you know what I mean. Jen did you enjoy the scene with Brian at his balcony window? 😊 Thanks again Jen, and remember...Always look on the bright side of life! 😊....Eric
The alien scene is there for some reasons: 1. the Pythons loved to confuse their audience. 2. it's the most absurd deus ex machina in movie history. 3. Animator Terry Gilliam (who co directed Holy Grail) had somethng to do. 4. every movie at that time needed a Star Wars scene. 5. all that expense only for the short punchline "You lucky bastard!".
Fabulous and love your English accent
My last rewatch for the moment, as I have to go out. Really really enjoyed seeing your reaction to this again, Jen. As for the song at the end, I'm sure that you're now aware that it does indeed come from this film. I'll see you later for your next Horror reaction. 😊
Love your appreciation for a good score. _Holy Grail_ was scored with library cues, but _Brian_ was composed by Geoffrey Burgon, best known for British TV shows like _Brideshead Revisited_ and _Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy._ I've been hoping for an official soundtrack release for years but so far it's just the _Life of Brian_ comedy album (audio clips from the film with some hilarious recording-studio narration) and a very rare bootleg that's probably just the exact same clips.
11:10 funny you should mention The Princess Bride, Rob Reiner’s first choice to play the impressive clergyman with the speech impediment was Michael Palin, who plays Pontious in this movie (among various other roles). However, he was already scheduled to work on another movie, A Fish Called Wanda, also with John Cleese.
The song Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life was written and sung by Eric Idle.
It’s also the title of his autobiography (or “A Sortabiography”, as it says on the jacket cover).
The most popular song at funerals in England is always look on the bright side of life.
The "crazy alien" section always makes me laugh. It actually deals with the story of Jakobs Ladder in the bible. So SO suibtle for those in on the joke. (NO disrespect intended toward anyone)
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life is one of my favorites. I find it similar in style to the Monty Python's Flying Circus television series in that it is more vignettes around a common theme rather than a contiguous narrative. It also contains my favorite musical number, and on a grand scale!
Hi Jen, thanks for reacting to one of my favourite comedies! Saw it in the cinema on opening weekend and everybody was laughing so much we couldn't hear all the jokes!!
Life of Brian appeared in movies about 2 years after the wildly popular Star Wars (later subtitled Episode 4). That's why Terry Gilliam added the space battle. :D
PJ! Wheezing! Old British comedy! Let's get it!!😎😂😝👍🍷💕
"Always Look On the Bright Side of Life" was written by the guy singing it (Eric Idle).
This song was sung by the crews of the HMS Coventry and the HMS Sheffield while they awaited rescue on their stricken vessels during the Falkland island war.
If I remember correctly, while Christmas is the celebration of his birth, Jesus wasn't actually born in December... I think he was actually supposed to be born in like April or June or something... I think the 25 of December was originally a celebration for some sort of sun god that the Roman Emperor used to worship... Also around that time of year was the Roman festival of Saturnalia, I believe... After the Romans switched the state religion to Christianity, they tried to repurpose some of the existing celebrations... Something like that...
That is correct, its called "syncretism" which the church started doing once it got its official status in Rome, since they needed to "convert" hundreds of year old roman religion into the new Christianity emperor Constantine adopted, but the practice continued beyond Rome's demise...
"Cast off the sandal, follow the gourd!"
"It's a shoe!!"
This movie was actually close to not being made at all. The original funding was pulled just a few days before the Pythons were to go on location to shoot it, but at the last minute, former Beatle George Harrison came through with the needed funds because, as he put it, "I want to see the movie". I think he has a small part somewhere in this as well.
John Cleese used to teach Latin before getting into acting. I guess that's why it rings so true and hilarious.
Fab reaction. That opening credits song was definitely a homage to Goldfinger. Yep pretty sure Always look on the bright side of life is an Eric Idle song written for this film. If you want a fun quiz time why not see if you can name every single character played by each actor for both holy Grail and life of Brian. Good luck ☺
Fun fact the mural they break through is also used in the movie carry on behind , the missing piece of where they break through is found in britian .
Their other movie is "The Meaning of Life" from 1983 and it is a series of disconnected sketches, even less of a sustained narrative than "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." It's basically a feature-length version of their old TV show in structure. There are a number of must-watch scenes in it, though, so I do recommend it.
There are several Monty Python movies left.
1) *Monty Python's Meaning of Life* - It tells a story of the meaning of life through different skits & songs. Depending on your type of humor. It can be downright hillarious or downright gross.
2) *And Now Something Completely Different* - It's a movie of some of their favorite skits from their BBC TV series *Monty Python's Flying Circus.
3) Rest of the films are the Monty Python troupe performed skits live in front of an audience. *Live at the Hollywood Bowl* is a very funny movie.
4) Spamalot - It's a musical Broadway play of *Monty Python & the Holy Grail* written by Eric Idle (Reg aka Lorette in Life of Brian).
Fun fact: Life of Brian had a much bigger budget than Holy Grail because it was funded by a certain Mr. George Harrison (former Beatle
and huge Monty Python fan).
He’s in it, a tiny cameo. He says “Allo!”
The spaceship scene was a parodistic take on the "deus ex machina" or "god from outside the events" narrative tool when a convenient event saves the hero from an otherwise inescapable situation.
Actually, many theories about who Jesus was include the notion that he might have been an alien being, from a species with higher intelligence than ours, who came to Earth to help advance mankind. I think the spaceship rescue could have been inspired by that since the movie overall satirizes the bases for religious faith.
Jen, your English accent is hilarious! 😂 xxx
Yes Jen, please also see The Meaning of Life. Also see films that starred two or more of the MP crew like "A Fish Called Wanda" or "Erik the Viking".
As a fellow Canadian, there is one skit that you HAVE too watch... it is from their old show (Flying Circus), and is a realy popular one... even being performed by the original actor at Just For Laughs.
I am certain you will enjoy the Lumberjacks Song!
Romanes Eunt Domus does indeed translate in English to "People called Romanes they go 'the house'" and Romani ite Domum is the correct grammar for "Romans go Home!"
Not only is the final product correct but the entire lesson, with the reasons why and Brians recital of the conjugation of "eunt" is correct, and if you've studied Latin you'll get horrendous flashbacks to your teachers eviscerating your work in exactly this sort of manner. To the point where it's generally possible to tell the difference between people who've studied Latin reacting to this and people who haven't (if you haven't studied Latin "Romanes Eunt Domus" is just a sort of slight chuckle at the absurdity of the Roman Centurion teaching the Jewish Insurgent Latin, if you have it's in strong competition for one of the funniest moments of the entire film).
Cleese was a Latin teach, apparently.
Also small trivia fact: When the Falklands War broke out in 1982 Life of Brian was fairly new still, a British Destroyer, HMS Sheffield was hit by a missile and sank. Passing the time until they could be rescued the surviving crew sang "Always look on the Bright Side of Life" while in the water, because, as the song says: "Worse things happen at sea you know?"
Thanks for showing the Spike Milligan scene. A British comedy icon!
#teamfollowthegourd 😁
At the beginning they did intend to do a comedy about Jesus (at one point he was going to be a clumsy carpenter that kept accidentally hammering nails through his hands!), but they changed their mind when they realised that there wasn’t really all that much they could satirise or spoof about him. Instead they satirised the world around him and used it to target organised religion. The scene where everyone starts following Brian captured the whole story of religion in a couple of minutes!
The whole thing with the various activist groups fighting each other was also pretty accurate to the time, as there was a lot of a political and social unrest in and around Jerusalem under the Roman occupation. It was also a direct satire on the political situation in London in the late 70s, where there were a lot of far-left revolutionary groups making big plans, but they hated each other so much that they never got anything done! Solidarity, brother! ✊
Yes, it had a bigger budget, mainly because one of The Beatles (George Harrison) helped fund it.
Yes, the song was written for the movie by Eric Idle, the Python member who sang it at the end.
the weird guy with the coconuts in the holy grail is also the animator for all MP TV shows and films. He s also directed many amazing films like Timebandits, 12 Monkeys and many more
18:35
“This Girl” Judith grew up to be a Mayor of, I think, a Welsh city. And organized the citizens to see the movie for free as an anniversary gift. 🤷🏼♂️
12:29 _"What was that?!"_
A change in genre.
"The meaning of life" is my personal favourite after Life of Brian. Full of the typical weird Monty Python-humour.
Bigger budget! And Beatle George Harrison was a major investor!!
Fun fact the actor who played Jesus was Kenneth Colley who also played Admiral Piett in Empire Strikes Back!!
John Cleese recently told some "modern" nut jobs to "piss off" ( mimicking Brian's mum ) who were demanding the best joke, "I want to be a woman", be censored from the stage show and the film. God I love that man. You need to react to "A Fish called Wanda" Jen, its hysterical.
You should check out the contemporary "Saturday Night, Sunday Morning" Interview with Cleese and Palin, and Malcom Muggeridge... or the BBC documentary/film about the interview - also a Sketch by 'Not the Nine O'Clock News, parodying the interview and situation..
I loved that Judith's actress later became the Mayor of her own hometown and overturned the ban prohibiting the showing of Brian in the local movie theatre there...
I loved less that my mother was one of the people, who not having seen it declared it blasphemous and wrote letters to the BBC and the local council trying to have it not broadcast, or screened in my home town... though I wasn't old enough to have seen it when released I do recall her getting upset over a movie she hadn't seen, wasn't going to see (and to this day hasn't seen) and thinking her a bit ... cray-cray. Fine, don't watch it (though I still think she should, she's laughed at most of the jokes from it, it being a source of many fine satirical quotations...), but let others make their own choices and quit ignorantly interfering with what others can choose to watch.
Hooray for more Monty Python! Some trivia: When Michael Palin as Pontius Pilate addressed the soldiers daring them to laugh, he was truly daring them. The soldier extras were ordered to stand there and not laugh, but not told what Palin was going to do. Palin, in fact, can barely stifle his own laughter when saying "Biggus Dickus" in front of the soldier asked if he finds the name "risible".
For more comedy I suggest the film from "Weird Al" Yankovic called UHF 🙂
Uggh, how do we kill this story, it's fake, wrong, an EX-anecdote, it should cease to be!
All of the actors are known comedic actors most would have been recognisable at the time.
What a movie Jen , my favorite part is falling off the tower and landing in a space ship 🚀 with aliens, so random, lol 😂 enjoy lol 😂
This movie almost didn't get made but for Mr George Harrison of the Beatles 😮. He read the script and called Eric Idle and said that he wanted to see it and even has a cameo in it. See if you can find it ☺️. He says hello 👋. Clue, it's the part where cleese says get that baby out of the saviors face 👀.
Funny thing is, the Romans did graffiti on the walls, all the time. It's how they left messages for each other.
Wow, this is literally the first reaction to this movie where somebody knew the song! That's so impressive! Yes, it is from this movie. I can watch this for the 1000th time and still laugh my butt off, such a classic! "I'm Brian and so is my wife!" 🤣🤣🤣
☺️👍
When Michael Palin as Pontius Pilate addressed the soldiers daring them to laugh, he was truly daring them. The soldier extras were ordered to stand there and not laugh, but not told what Palin was going to do. Palin, in fact, can barely stifle his own laughter when saying "Biggus Dickus" in front of the soldier asked if he finds the name "risible".
Hoping you'll complete the set with Meaning of Life(1983) and my favorite, And Now For Something Completely Different(1971)
That's not true however.
Where do you lot get this nonsense from.?
Firstly the guards were played by respected professional actors not extras.
The four actors played 12 different roles in the film one of them was part of the writing team, they all I ew,what scene 13 was about and were not told not to laugh, then laughing was a major part of the story as it was now Brain gets away.
A lot of people have Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life played at their funerals here in the UK,
Great reaction to my favourite Python movie :). "The Meaning of Life" is worth reacting to IMO but it definitely _is_ very much a series of vignettes on a theme (even moreso than 'Holy Grail' i'd say).
"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life ..." 🥰
Life of Jen 🤩
Actually there are four Monthy Python movies (everybody seems to forget about And Now For Something Completely Different, which is a collection of the best sketches from their TV shows reenacted for the movies). There are also several other movies that subgroups of the Pythons made. A Fish Called Wanda, Eric The Viking, Yellowbeard and probably a few more that I forgot.
Oh, Lamb is terrific! I've read a handful of Christopher Moore's, and they are always highly entertaining.
great reactions as usual Jen. as well as 'holy grail' 'brian' and 'meaning of life' there's also ,...'and now for something completely different' which not many people react to. it's a compilation of sketches from the TV show, and imho is well worth a look.
Fun Fact: Kenneth Colley, the actor who plays Jesus was Admiral Piett in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983)