That's the right film to watch around Xmas or Easter. Even some TV stations know this.

a bunch of silly men walking about the desert in their sandals (or is it shoes?).

Follow the Shoe!

It's a sandal!

I hadn't said a word for twenty years until he showed up!

Follow the Gourd!

I loved the sketch Not The Nine O'clock News did about the controversy surrounding this film. They examined the public outcry about General Synod’s Life of Christ, which was thought to mock the cast of Monty Python.

“I must point out that the Christ character is not Cleese”.

“Whenever 2 or 3 are gathered together then they shall perform The Parrot Sketch”

“These men died for us! Frequently!”

“Bishop, did you expect this outcry?”
“Well I certainly didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition!”

On a more ironic note, one opponent of the film stated that the film would be dragged out of the archives from in years to come only as a piece of social history.

Of course, the film is shown and enjoyed regularly, while this bigot is dragged out of the archives once every 10 years as a piece of social history...

On the Monty Python night several years ago, I was sure that they had shown a different version of this film to the one I have had on video. It was NOT the one with missing scenes (such as the earlier scenes of Otto and the Judean People's Front) cut from the first version, but one where I was sure bits of dialogue had been added in subtly.

Are they going to release the one with the missing bits in then?

Can't wait if they are!!

BTW - sign of a good film...one where you get more out of it the more you watch it....maybe that's what happened to you?

I used to watch the ending every morning while I was getting ready for work, when I first got the video...

Favourite line(s)

"You ARE the Messiah - and I should know, I've followed a few!"

AND

"Yes Lord, we're all individuals..."

"Erm, I'm not"

Alice: sign of a good film...one where you get more out of it the more you watch it....maybe that's what happened to you?

I'm not so sure - the version I saw on the Monty Python Night had some subtle added lines of dialogue in the already established scenes. For instance, I think I recall the Centurion (Cleese) at one point calling Pilate "dear" during the "Welease Woger" scene then Pilate (Palin) did a double-take on the Centurion before continuing with his line. It was much funnier than the version I know and/or love. Next time I have the tape I'll re-check it again.

The Python movies have just been re-released in a box set on DVD - I wonder if the LoB one has the extra scenes?

I tried to buy LoB for a birthday present in January, and was told it'd been deleted - I'm hoping it's because they're about to rerelease it all spruced up...on VHS (fingers crossed - we don't all have DVD).

I don't remember the bit you're referring to...but the fault's probably mine, since I have to watch things I like over and over again, just to let them sink in. Seem's a bit odd though, since the Centurion's so strait-laced. I remember the double take though...isn't it because he suspects the Centurion's laughing at him? Or being cheeky or something?

Ooh, I think I'm watching MY tape again tonight! Any excuse...

Interesting film. I will say that while it is not blasphemous as some have said (Brian is very clearly not Jesus and the real Jesus is portrayed briefly and with respect), it is sacreligious (as even the group admits), as it ruthlessly parodies the concept of organized religion.

As a MOVIE, the film is sort of hit and miss. As opposed to previous Python films, it actually tries to keep more or less a constant plot with some character development (Chapman plays Brian very straight). Some jokes are kind of asinine (your mileage will vary as to which one)--in my opinion, I preferred the bits that flowed from the plot as opposed to typical Pythonery which seemed sort of out of place in this film (the infamous spaceship joke).

The Brian-as-Messiah plot, while sometimes incorrectly given as the main plot, is actually just an extended sideline as it really has little to do with everything else going on. While funny, it is sledgehammer in its indictment of organized religion.

Of the other players, Cleese gets fairly so-so roles enlivened by his Cleesian energy (Reg, the Centurion, the Zealot following Brian). Idle, at least to me, had less screen time but made the most of it when he was on (the Salesman, the "Big Nose" heckler, the final singer). Jones, probably because he is busy directing, contents himself to basically one role: Brian's Mother. But it is Palin that gets the juiciest roles: Pontius Pilate and the Officiating Centurion. The Officiating Centurion is sort of a more refined version of the constant string of genially sleazy characters Palin played on the show. Here, he's clearly a nice man doing an unspeakably awful thing ("Crucifixion? Good.").

The Pilate scene is a strong example of how something that in the hands of another comedian would be intolerable, here is turned into a comedic masterpiece. It's one of those things that you feel bad about (not too bad) for laughing at.

NANJAO: Pilate's lisping is a variation of the "Erizabeth L" sketch.

I thought "Grail" was funnier than this movie.

John, Pontius wasn't the lisper. Pontius would mispwonounce his awws. Biggus Dickus wath the lithper, e.g.:

Let me come with you, Pontiuth. I may be of thome athithtanthe if there ith a thudden crithith!

My friend and I saw this in Los Angeles in the 80s, and we both couldnt understand this movie. However Holy Grail was totaly outragous!(and understandable).

I really liked it when the one of the leader's of the People's Front Of Judea were saying how bad and evil the Romans were, and then one dude mentions all the really good things they've done. Like bringing peace to the nation the movie was taking place in, I forget which it was. That really shut the head guy up!

I also liked the "stoning" scene, it was really funny when the old guy was like "Worse? How could it possibly be worse?" and then does a little dance saying "Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah!"
Also, when the women who were disguised as bearded men were prematurely throwing the rocks and then they would change their voices, from high to deep, and then the leader dude gets crushed by the big boulder when he accidently says "Jehovah" one too many times!

But what was up with the aliens? That was really silly, and totally out of place in this movie!

Of course, you gotta love it when the People's Front Of Judea and the Judean People's Front meet up below the palace and start fighting, completely forgetting that they both what the same thing: to get rid of the Romans! That was too funny.

Have you noticed that whenever a group has "Front" in their title, they're usually terrorists, but won't admit it? The Earth Liberation and the Animal Liberation FRONTS are perfect examples!

Remember, anyone from any race or religion can be a terrorist, even a seemingly God-loving conservative Christian American!

OK, I shall step off my soapbox now!

I enjoy Life of Brian (and Die Hard) better than any sappy movie with Santa and his reindeer and red suit (that in best Pythonesque tradition probably has a bra under it).