Life of Brian

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2:47

Life of Brian

R,

1979,

1h 33m,

Comedy

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96%

74 Reviews

Tomatometer

93%

250,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

74 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Brian Cohen (Graham Chapman) 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 (Terry Jones), the hapless Brian has to contend with the pompous Pontius Pilate (Michael Palin) 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.

Critics Consensus

One of the more cutting-edge films of the 1970s, this religious farce from the classic comedy troupe is as poignant as it is funny and satirical.

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Tom Huddleston

Time Out

Dec 12, 2024

5/5

It’s still extremely funny, as quotable now as it ever was, and as searingly, eye-openingly intelligent.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Apr 7, 2023

5/5

It’s a relentless onslaught of consummate comedy that’s so flawlessly crafted, it’s easy to overlook how impeccably the scenes are played.

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Robbie Collin

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

Apr 26, 2019

I'm desperate for another piece of comedy to do what [Life of Brian] did.

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Chris Barsanti

PopMatters

Apr 22, 2026

9/10

The jokes bristle with ideas about the absurdity of dogma and obedience to power, but the Pythons didn’t care about making audiences angry over religious hypocrisy.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Nov 8, 2024

8/10

A considerably effective parody, particularly as it sends up the arbitrary interpretation of signs and symbols, the follies of blind faith, and the atrocities conducted in the name of religion.

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John Ferguson

Radio Times

Aug 17, 2024

5/5

This inspired send-up of religious epics was surrounded by controversy on its release, but it is, nevertheless, the Monty Python team's most assured and satisfying cinematic work.

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Harry W

Mar 30, 2019

" If you have enjoyed this film, why not go and see "La Notte"? " Thanks for your recommendation, Monty Python! I've just seen it yesterday. I mean, I knew that this film is ahead of its time, but this is too much! Anyway, whilst the humor here didn't always work; there are many repetitive, overlong gags, and the jokes, especially in the first act, aren't as sharp and clever as those of The Holy Grail, for me, Life of Brian is just as, if not even more enjoyable and amusing than The Holy Grail, largely because it has a cohesive narrative structure instead of a series of sketches, the thing that made even the lamest and dumbest jokes fairly passable, and completely inoffensive. (9/10)

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Mar 15, 2019

Some of the best parts about this movie, are that what was once considered satirical humor in this movie. Became reality in this modern times.

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Hagrid P

Mar 4, 2019

very funny , everything you want in a python film, and yes even I have a very good friend named...biggus dickus..hes got a wife you know

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George W

Feb 27, 2019

Hilarious, absurd, fast paced and just everything that made The Holy Grail great. This film is peak absurdist comedy and one of the best parody's I've seen in my life. 9/10

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Theodore W

Feb 19, 2019

Life of Brian is a hearty iconic British comedy that was well ahead of its time. Very witty, daring and rewatchable, many see it as a contender for Python's best film. This one always make you look on the bright side...

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Hermione L

Jan 6, 2019

My favorite comedy of all time. The Biggus Dickus joke alone is worth the price of admission, although John Cleese giving a Latin lesson is a close second. Hilarious, but also intelligent, topical and scathing on a variety of subjects.

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Terry Jones

Director

Graham Chapman

Wise Man #2

John Cleese

Wise Man #1

Terry Gilliam

Man Even Further Forward

Terry Jones

Mandy Cohen

Michael Palin

Wise Man 3

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Synopsis

Brian Cohen (Graham Chapman) 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 (Terry Jones), the hapless Brian has to contend with the pompous Pontius Pilate (Michael Palin) 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.

Director: Terry Jones
Producer: John Goldstone
Screenwriter: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
Distributor: Warner Bros., Criterion Collection, Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Python (Monty) Pictures Limited, Handmade Films
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 17, 1979, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Apr 18, 2019
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 25, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $150.2K
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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