Life of Brian

( 19 )

Overview

Criterion has released a superb version of Monty Python's Life of Brian on DVD. The widescreen anamorphic transfer preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The film has never looked this good on video before. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. English subtitles are accessible. The fantastic supplemental materials include one commentary track by director Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, and Eric Idle, as well as a second commentary track by John Cleese and Michael Palin. Also...
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DVD (Wide Screen)
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More About This Product

Overview

Criterion has released a superb version of Monty Python's Life of Brian on DVD. The widescreen anamorphic transfer preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The film has never looked this good on video before. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. English subtitles are accessible. The fantastic supplemental materials include one commentary track by director Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, and Eric Idle, as well as a second commentary track by John Cleese and Michael Palin. Also available are the original theatrical trailer, deleted scenes with commentary from Python members, British radio spots, and a documentary film made during production. The film looks great and the bonus features give Python fans everything they could want.
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Special Features

Widescreen digital transfer, approved by director Terry Jones and enhanced for widescreen televisions; Exclusive audio commentaries by Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, John Cleese, and Michael Palin; Original theatrical trailer; Five rarely seen deleted scenes with audio commentary by the Pythons; Four original British radio ads; Documentary film "The Pythons" shot on location during the making of "Life of Brian"; English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired; Optimal image quality: RSDL dual-layer edition
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide
Blissfully sacrilegious and completely irreverent, The Life of Brian was banned in a number of places upon its initial release. Any film that featured a messiah telling his followers to "f*ck off" and a musical interlude staged at a mass crucifixion was bound to seem objectionable to more than a few people. For those familiar with Monty Python's dependably absurd, subversive brand of humor, however, the film was an almost instant classic, the best of the four theatrically released Python excursions. Featuring some of the more memorable Python characters -- Biggus Dickus, Mr. Big Nose, Brian himself -- and scenarios -- a lesson in proper graffiti grammar, surprise alien abduction, and, of course, the crucifixion scene -- it is an intoxicating celebration of the bizarre, outlandish, and unthinkable. Or, simply put, it is Monty Python at their ridiculous best.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 11/16/1999
  • UPC: 715515010320
  • Original Release: 1979

    • Rating:

  • Source: Criterion
  • Region Code: 1
  • Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1)
  • Presentation: Wide Screen
  • Sound: Dolby Digital Surround
  • Language: English
  • Time: 1:34:00
  • Format: DVD

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Graham Chapman Brian Called Brian, 1st Wise Man
Terry Jones Mandy, Bob Hoskins, Colin, Passerby, Simon
Michael Palin Wise Man, Big Nose, Francis, Pontius Pilate
John Cleese Wise Man, Centurion, Official
Eric Idle Stan, Loretta, Mr. Cheeky
Terry Gilliam Person, Jailer, Prophet, Masked, Revolutionary
Kenneth Colley Jesus Christ
Spike Milligan Spike
George Harrison Mr. Papadopoulis
Gwen Taylor Woman with Sick Donkey, Mrs. Big Nose, Young Girl
Terence Bayler Revolutionary/Masked Commando
Peter Brett
Carol Cleveland Elsie, Mrs. Gregory
Neil Innes Samaritan at the Forum
Susan Jones Judith
Charles Knode Passer-By
Chris Langham Alfonso, Commando, Guard, Revolutionary
Andrew Maclachlan Commando, Guard, Helper, Revolutionary
Bernard McKenna Centurion, Official Stoner's Helper
Charles McKeown Commando, Guard, Man, Revolutionary, Stig
John Young Stonee
Technical Credits
Terry Jones Director, Screenwriter
John Beard Art Director
Jonathan Benson Asst. Director
Peter Biziou Cinematographer
Geoffrey Burgon Score Composer
Graham Chapman Screenwriter
Roger Christian Art Director
John Cleese Screenwriter
Julian Doyle Editor
Terry Gilliam Animator, Screenwriter
John Goldstone Producer
Tim Hampton Associate Producer
George Harrison Executive Producer
Eric Idle Score Composer, Screenwriter
Charles Knode Costumes/Costume Designer
Garth Marshall Sound/Sound Designer
Denis O'Brien Executive Producer
Michael Palin Screenwriter
Hazel Pethig Costumes/Costume Designer
John Stanier Camera Operator
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Scene Index

Menu Group #1 with 19 chapter(s) covering 01:33:45
1. Logos/Three Wise Men. [:12]
2. Opening titles animation. [4:08]
3. Judea AD 33. [2:34]
4. "Alms for an ex-leper." [7:22]
5. "You're one of them." [2:05]
6. The People's Front of Judea. [1:51]
7. "Romans go home." [5:39]
8. Raid on Pilate's palace. [7:09]
9. Pilate. [7:18]
10. Crash landing. [4:17]
11. Haggling. [3:39]
12. The shoe and the gourd. [6:11]
13. Hail Messiah. [5:19]
14. "A very naughty boy." [2:35]
15. "One cross each." [2:33]
16. Pilate's Passover address. [8:36]
17. The Jewish section. [2:42]
18. The rescue committee. [8:17]
19. "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." [2:39]
Chapters
1. Prologue: Graham Chapmer Rests [3:33]
2. The Phenomenon [1:41]
3. Hail, The Pythons [12:29]
4. Py.thon.esque/pi-tne-nesk/ [2:37]
5. Insomniacs, Intellectuals, And Burglars [4:26]
6. Nth-rate Philosophers With Attitude [7:12]
7. Judea Ad 33 [3:53]
8. Tunisian Tummy [1:19]
9. Transplants, Teeth, And Tax Evasion [3:16]
10. Python On Python [6:29]
11. Fellow Travelers [2:15]
12. Epilogue: An Orgy With Cherryade [:35]
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Menu

Side #1
Menu Group #1 with 19 chapter(s) covering 01:33:45
Commentary One
   Index
      The Virgin Mandy
      Angst And Animation
      The Dogsbody Of The Group
      A Pile Of Poo
      A Great Leading Man
      Keith Moon
      Day For Night
      The Effluents Of Jerusalem
      Comedy Rules
      Exploding Cigars
      The Art Of The Deal
      Jesus Christ-lust For Glory
      Nether Regions
      Cockadoodle-do
      Mr. Cheeky
      Tunisian Comic
      Troglodytes
      "i'm Brian"
      The Wrong Crosses
   Play
Commentary Two
   Index
      Human Nature
      Terry's Bits
      Slips Of The Tongue
      Baby Oil
      A Decent Chap
      Judith Iscariot
      Schoolboys
      The Metronome
      Pig Latin
      "a Load Of Old Rubbish"
      Python Philosophy
      Lost Laugh
      Hermits
      Doing God A Favor
      A Terribly Nice Bloke
      Rabble To Rubble
      An Instrument Of Torture
      Strange New Revolutionaries
      The World Is Full Of Loonies
   Play
Sheep
Pilate's Wife
Otto
"the Sign That Is The Sign"
Souvenir Shop
Michael Palin
Eric Idle
Terry Gilliam
John Cleese
Chapters
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 19 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(10)

4 Star

(7)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

(1)

1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 19 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A satirical look at religion

    The British comedy troupe Monty Python offended the pompous and pious with this stinging, satirical look at religion and how, desperate to believe in a higher power, people are willing to be blindly indoctrinated by anyone who claims to have all the answers. A great stocking stuffer for the iconoclast in your family!

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A Hilarious Movie

    The Monty Python boys have always been known to satirize anything and everything, and ''Life of Brian'' is a great parody of Jesus Christ. Graham Chapman plays Brian, the pauper-turned-savior main character, whom everyone follows without question or hesitation. It's a great movie for any Monty Python fan or anyone who enjoys a laugh now and then.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Political vs Religious

    It is amusing how many people totally miss the multiple layers of satire employed by the Python's in Brian. The fact is that the overt parody of Jesus the person is actually quite mild. The real TARGET is the political, social and religious society of the late 20th century. It is a still VERY relevant today. My favorite part remains the bit when the zealots are ranting about Roman oppression ( What have the Romans ever done for us...) yet concede they could not do without all the real benefits the Romans gave their society ( roads, safety, peace). Favorite line... I say he is the Savior and I should know... I have a followed a few! The Python's force us to laugh at ourselves, my bet is that the Big Guy upstairs got the joke too.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Dear Pinky and the Brain

    It's a good thing YOUR not stupid. I'm glad you shared YOU'RE enlightened opinion with us all. If you think about the spaceship joke you might realize that it was really playing on narrative unity and expectations, and so it wasn't just an immature prank. The Life of Brian remains one of the greatest comedies of cinema history.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Life Of Brain lands laughs of Biblical Proportions

    In the thrid of the films done by the infamous Monty Pyhton troupe, The others being "And Now For Something Completely Different" and "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", they take the subject of religon. Well, not so much religon as the story of Christ. The film follows the story of Brain. A man born the same night and place as Jesus. And, with that little problem, he is constantly being mistaken for the messiah, and gets himself into a bit of a bind with the Romans. Said by John Cleese to be one of the best things the Pythons have ever done, it is a must have for any collection.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Great Movie if your stupid!

    Fails in comparison to the Holy Grail. Minimal laughs but good plot to it. The jokes were childish and the part with the space ship was LAME AND STUPID. Not recremended for audiences over the age of 2 or if you have heart failure.

    0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 22, 2010

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    Posted October 24, 2009

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    Posted December 13, 2008

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    Posted April 9, 2010

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    Posted October 29, 2009

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    Posted September 29, 2009

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    Posted October 3, 2010

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    Posted July 15, 2010

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    Posted August 5, 2009

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    Posted July 26, 2009

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    Posted October 28, 2008

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Sort by: Showing all of 19 Customer Reviews