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Films: M is for...

Monty Python’s Life of Brian

We were going to use this billing to witter on about how Graham Chapman’s A Liar’s Autobiography seems to have snuck back into print without us noticing, and that everyone should buy it because it’s hilarious, bizarre and very moving, but now Spike Milligan’s “ignored prophet” cameo has sadly taken on a greater significance since he’s popped his clogs, so perhaps we should mention that, as well as some decent, unbowdlerised repeats of Q somewhere along the line, we’d love to see the ace film of Spike’s The Bed-Sitting Room get another airing.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Richardpd

    January 3, 2022 at 1:11 pm

    A close batting between this & The Holy Grail for the best Python film. George Harrison’s most expensive film ticket, after he put up the money after the original backers dropped out.

    Controversial back in the day, but thanks to Not The Nine O’Clock News spoof it’s impossible to take the naysayers seriously. The Swedish slogan for the poster “So Funny They Had To Ban It In Norway!” doesn’t help either.

    Lots of cracking dialogue for nerdy sorts to quote whenever it’s slightly appropriate to do so.

    Graham Chapman was getting his drinking under control by this point so was on top form, possibly better than the Flying Circus days.

    Terry Gilliam gets to do that weird bit that doesn’t add anything to the plot but looks great.

    Lots of other amusing behind the scenes stories, like the one about recording Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life in a hotel room with mattresses lining the walls.

  2. Tom Ronson

    May 23, 2022 at 11:43 pm

    Might want to update this entry now that all the surviving episodes of the Q series and The Bed Sitting Room are available on shiny DVD. As for Life of Brian, I reckon it should be shown every Christmas. Or Brianmas.

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