Monty Python is a British comedy group most popular for creating and performing in the television series Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Aside from the BBC television show, Monty Python also developed and starred in several films. One unforgettable Monty Python film is Monty Python's Life of Brian. Monty Python's Life of Brian was shown in theaters in 1979. Terry Jones directed Monty Python's Life of Brian. As with other Monty Python projects, Monty Python's Life of Brian was written and performed by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. Monty Python's Life of Brian ran for approximately 94 minutes and took 4 million dollars to make. Monty Python's Life of Brian grossed over 20 million dollars during its entire theatrical run.
The primary cast of Monty Python's Life of Brian is composed of: Graham Chapman as Brian and the second wise man, John Cleese as Reg and the first wise man, Terry Gilliam as another person further forward and a slew of other secondary characters, Eric Idle as Mr. Cheeky and other minor characters, Terry Jones as Mandy, Simon the Holy Man and others, Michael Palin as Mr. Big Nose, Ex-leper, and Pontius Pilate, Boring Prophet third wise man and others.
Monty Python's Life of Brian is a story about Brian Cohen, a Jewish boy who was born on the same day and next door to Jesus Christ, and mistaken to be the Messiah. The similar circumstances of Jesus’ and Brian’s birth confuse the three wise men which lead them to think Brian was the one referred to in prophecies. Brian joins a revolutionary group after meeting the rebel Judith. The story of Monty Python's Life of Brian then follows Brian’s adventures until he is condemned to a long and painful death. A song number “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” is performed by his fellow sufferers which lift up the spirit of Brian.
Monty Python's Life of Brian was widely criticized for being blasphemous and was banned in several jurisdictions even up to the 21st century. The Monty Python group denies claims that their work was out to destroy people’s faith. Life of Brian remains as one of the most controversial films ever shown.
Monty Python's Life of Brian has regularly been cited in polls as a one of the greatest comedy films of all time. Some of these polls are: Total Film magazine in 2000, the British TV network Channel 4 in 2006 and The Guardian newspaper in 2007; Rotten Tomatoes lists Monty Python's Life of Brian as one of the best reviewed comedies, with a 98% approval rating from 44 published reviews, and BFI declared Monty Python's Life of Brian to be the 28th best British film of all time (an equivalent of the AFI's original 100 Years...100 Movies list).
