He's not the messiah...he's just a naughty boy.
Brian Cohen is an average young Jewish man, but through a series of ridiculous events, he gains a reputation as the Messiah. When he's not dodging his followers or being scolded by his shrill mother, the hapless Brian has to contend with the pompous Pontius Pilate and acronym-obsessed members of a separatist movement. Rife with Monty Python's signature absurdity, the tale finds Brian's life paralleling Biblical lore, albeit with many more laughs.
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Character
Comic, ironic, cool and plot-driven.
- gravecomic
- earnestironic
- cooloverwhelming
- character-ledplot-driven
- rawmeticulous
Who loves it, who doesn't
89 profiled raters. Loved most by The Provocateurs; disliked most by The Provocateurs.
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“Is Life of Brian better than Monty Python and the Holy Grail?”
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“Does the irony keep it from meaning anything?”
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“Is it funnier than it is smart?”
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A yes-or-no question, answered from what people wrote here, on TMDB and on Wikipedia. Never made up.
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Reviews on TMDB
Written by TMDB members; each links to the original. Not part of Curator Co.'s numbers.
- drystyxon TMDB · Apr 20234/10
This isn't Monty Python's best. In fact, it's very ordinary humor for the most part. The story of another man living a life parallel to Jesus could have been much funnier than this. However, people who love "dry humor" may appreciate this one more. It isn't the slapstick humor that we usually get from Monty Python that leaves a person nearly dying of laughter. It's very low key humor. The only memorable scene is the suicide squad that comes to save Brian, which lasts a few seconds. It's not totally boring, but it comes close. 4/10
Read the whole review on TMDB - Filipe Manuel Netoon TMDB · Oct 20237/10
**It's an excellent comic film, but much inferior to “The Holy Grail”.** There is consensus on the impact that Monty Python had on humor, and on the way comedy is seen and performed. After a bombastic television series and a highly successful first film, they decided to make this film which, in essence, is a satire on the great biblical epics of the past. In this film, we follow Brian, a man who was born a short distance from Jesus and is constantly confused with him. I'm not conservative enough to not appreciate a religious joke if it's good, and there are a lot of good things in this film, starting with the incredible performances by the Pythons, in particular Graham Chapman and Terry Jones. The humor is what they have accustomed the public to, and the film does not disappoint the group's fans. Even so, I couldn't help but have the feeling that this film was quite inferior to “The Holy Grail”. On a technical level, I believe it is worth highlighting the costumes and sets, which are at the best level and set the story very well in time and space. And the final scene, where the crucified sing a well-known and very positivist melody, cannot be more surrealist than it is.
Read the whole review on TMDB - misubisuon TMDB · Nov 202510/10
## **Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) Review: A Blasphemous, Brilliant, and Utterly Human 10/10** If *Holy Grail* was a shotgun blast of medieval absurdity, then *Life of Brian* is a precision laser guided by satirical genius. Arriving four years later amid a whirlwind of anticipation and pre-release outrage, this is not merely a follow-up; it is an evolution. It is the pinnacle of Monty Python's craft—a film so sharp, so intelligent, and so uproariously funny that it doesn't just earn a perfect score; it defines what a perfect satire can be. ### The Plot: A Case of Mistaken Messiah-ship The premise is sublime in its simplicity: what if a man named Brian Cohen (Graham Chapman), born in the stable next door to Jesus on that fateful night, is mistaken for the Messiah his entire life? Brian is an everyman—a reluctant rebel, a bewildered participant in history, and a victim of cosmic irony. Through his eyes, we are treated to a scathing, hilarious, and surprisingly humane deconstruction of organised religion, political factionalism, and the sheer absurdity of blind faith. ### Why It's a 10/10: Beyond the Gags * **The Satire is Razor-Sharp:** *Holy Grail* parodied history; *Brian* ev
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Cast
- Graham ChapmanWise Man #2 / Brian Cohen / Biggus Dickus
- John CleeseWise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
- Terry GilliamMan Even Further Forward / Revolutionary / Jailer / Blood and Thunder Prophet / Frank / Audience Member / Crucifee
- Eric IdleMr. Cheeky / Stan 'Loretta' / Harry the Haggler / Culprit Woman / Warris / Intensely Dull Youth / Jailer's Assistant / Otto / Lead Singer Crucifee
- Terry JonesMandy Cohen / Colin / Simon the Holy Man / Bob Hoskins / Saintly Passer-by / Alarmed Crucifixion Assistant
- Michael PalinWise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus
- Terence BaylerGregory
- Carol ClevelandMrs. Gregory
- Kenneth ColleyJesus
- Neil InnesA Weedy Samaritan
Crew
- Terry JonesDirector
- Graham ChapmanScreenplay
- John CleeseScreenplay
- Terry GilliamScreenplay
- Peter BiziouDirector of Photography
- Geoffrey BurgonOriginal Music Composer
- Julian DoyleEditor
- John GoldstoneProducer
Where to watch
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Pairings
Companions we picked from the closest works, and how to take them.
Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Curator Co. Other media included when they land close.
Duck Soup 193380% alikeBoth comic, cool, ironic.
Tropic Thunder 200876% alikeBoth comic, ironic, cool.
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Raising Arizona 198771% alikeBoth comic, cool.
Shock Treatment 198171% alikeBoth comic, cool, ironic.
Repo Man 198471% alikeBoth cool, comic, ironic.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? 200070% alikeBoth comic.
The Fortune Cookie 196669% alikeBoth comic, cool.
Spitting Image 198479% alikeSeries · Both comic, cool, ironic.
Animaniacs 202066% alikeSeries · Both comic, cool.
Often watched with
Recommendations from TMDB. Opening one adds it to Curator Co.
