Search - Monty Python's Life Of Brian - The Immaculate Edition on DVD

Rick W. (WIMediaMan) from SHEBOYGAN, WI
Reviewed on 7/6/2021...

If you liked the Monty Python TV show (BBC), you will certainly love this film. It is a little "Slapstick" at times, and mostly typical dry and subtle British humor. It is actually a "Spoof" or parallel storyline, loosely telling the life of "Brian" (mistaken for Jesus) living out Jesus's life totally by accident.

I truly liked it, and have watched it many times. Life of Brian is a wonderful satire of the documentary style of comedy started by the BBC/Monty Python comedy troupe in the 1970's. The Monty Python Comedy Troupe were made up of excellent actors, well educated and trained in English Universities, and thoroughly knowledgeable in writing, acting and producing comedies. They weren't afraid of doing whatever it took to earn our laughter, and earn it they did!

Personally, I'd take these older, "Cheesier" movies from Hollywood/BBC comedy heydays, rather than many of the modern type comedies being sold to us presently. Past comedies weren't afraid of being politically incorrect, or of offending their audiences, as their material was already timeless. Monty Python was able to keep their works in touch with human nature, always finding humor in shared human experiences and unique situations, and just being truly entertaining and only for being entertaining to an audience, nothing more. This is a truly classic Monty Python (1970's to 1980's) comedy that has become a staple for all true Monty Python fans.

Again, if you don't like Monty Python, you may or may not like "Life of Brian". It is produced by the Monty Python Comedy Troupe, but is actually more entertaining than the Monty Python TV show. It is a full length movie, very professionally done (sets, scripts, acting, etc.), but in the vein of numerous Monty Python characters and skits. I rate it a 5 out of 5 stars, and still find it funny. It has earned itself a permanent place in my vast collection.

C&R W. (unhappybirthday)
Reviewed on 4/27/2011...

Biggus Dickus. That's pretty much the only scene from this movie that I enjoyed.

0 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.

Double-dip is warranted

Dan Plankton | Somerville, MA | 01/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I suspect most fans of this film and Monty Python in general already own a copy on DVD. The bonus features in this new double-disc edition definitely make it worth the repeat buy. Most of the features from the Criterion edition (two commentary tracks, five deleted scenes, radio ads) are here. (The nice 1979 BBC documentary "The Pythons" is the only feature from the Criterion version missing from this new set.)

The new hour-long documentary included with this edition is worth the purchase alone. All five surviving Pythons are interviewed and offer a lot of insight into the film, from its conception, to the controversy surrounding its opening (in the US and in the UK), to its lasting standing as the Pythons' greatest work. (Yes, I know, many fans like "Grail" even more.) I'm always pleased to see up-to-date interviews with the team, now all in their sixties.

The other significant feature is an audio reading of the original script, recorded with all six members several months before filming began. This is much more enjoyable and watchable than you might expect, illustrated onscreen with storyboard drawings and script pages. The reading is 20 minutes longer than the film, and you hear some bits that never made it past this stage.

And the film itself, of course, is a treasure. A hysterically funny, yet thought-provoking satire whose target is group-think in general, and not merely religion or superstition.
"

Blessed are the Cheesemakers!!!!

Kevin Pepper | Elkmont, AL USA | 02/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the 4th iteration of this movie that I have owned. My first was on VHS, then came the Criterion LaserDisc, which was followed by the Criterion DVD edition. I really wasn't expecting much of an improvement over the Criterion DVD since this is an older movie. Regardless of what version you own, if you are a Python fan, you are in for a HUGE surprise with this latest edition on Blu-ray. The picture is near perfection with only a couple of scenes where I noticed the tiniest bit of film grain. Perhaps the biggest surprise for me was the remastered sound elements. After trying the different sound choices, I found the PCM soundtrack to be the best. I really wasn't expecting the sound to be that great for this movie, but BOY was I surprised. Sony has truly outdone themselves with this latest high def remastering of Life of Brian. This is the absolute best I have ever seen or heard of this zany film. There are details in the picture that I have NEVER seend before, and I have seen this movie MANY MANY times. If I had to complain about anything, it would be that the special features were not in HD, but that is not that big a deal since everything else about this title is just spot on.

There are many who would say this movie is a sacrilege. As a Christian, I would disagree with such a statement. I have heard some say that this movie is making light of Jesus' ministry, and especially his crucifixion. They are missing the whole point. I think this movie illustrates how some people will blindly follow religious leaders, or will just go with the crowd without really questioning what they're doing, or why they're doing it. The scene where Brian is mistaken for Jesus and chased by the crowd is a good example. When his sandal falls off, some take it as a sign that they should remove their own sandal, while some choose to follow the Holy Gourd of Jerusalem. How can anyone NOT see the humor in that??? Also, what if there really were some in the far back of the crowd at the Sermon on the Mount who couldn't quite make out what was being said??? I have seen this movie countless times, and at no point is Jesus ever actually made fun of. Even the crucifixion scene is obviously not a slight on Jesus' own crucifixion. He is not the only person to ever be crucified, since there were countless others who suffered this horrible form of death. The crucifixion scene obviously is not about Jesus' crucifixion since there are much more than three men being crucified. Of course, I'm sure there are those who would disagree with me. If you do find this movie to be offensive, then simply don't watch it. After all, this is still a free country. To those of you who have longed for a pristine version of this classic Python piece, you MUST get this one on Blu-ray. I will be waiting patiently for Sony to deliver a comparable version of the Holy Grail on Blu-ray soon."

Get the Criterion edition of this marvellous comedy!

Kenneth Vestergaard | Sunds, DK Denmark | 04/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To put it simple, this is one of THE funniest comedies ever made, and following the old Python tradition, it makes fun of everyone and anything. Also, if you didn't know it, this is the Python movie that also contains Eric Idle's now classic song, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life".I recommend you get the Criterion collection if you're going to purchase this DVD. I got it today, and it has tons of extra features, plus it is a high-quality-transfer widescreen (I don't think the standard DVD is widescreen, but I won't bet money on it).I haven't had time to hear the TWO, yes two, additional sets of audio tracks, with commentary from all of the five Pythons (sadly excluding Graham Chapman, for obvious reasons), but I can only imagine that they alone are worth the extra bucks you spend on getting the Criterion edition.Go get yourself this DVD right away -- you won't regret it!"