The Life of Brian
Wed 15th April C605

This is one of the few comedies that has remained popular to this day. It was made in the the late '70's by the British Comedy Group called Monty Python's Flying Circus. This gang of Oxford and Cambridge graduates has created some of the most memorable comic sketches which are still today repeated in bars and clubs around the globe.

The story is about a person who is continuously mistaken for Jesus. Just a few mangers away, a boy named Brian Cohen (Graham Chapman) is born. His mother, Mandy (Terry Jones), is no virgin Mary, however. That doesn't stop the Three Wise Men from delivering their gifts. However, when they recognize their mistake, they take back the gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and bring the presents to Jesus. Roughly 30 years later, Brian is a typical nobody living in Palestine - until he joins the People's Front of Judea. After proving himself, Brian earns the trust of the leader, Reg (John Cleese), and is allowed to participate in an attempted kidnapping of Pontius Pilate's wife. The plot fails, but Brian, after escaping from Pilate, ends up amassing a huge following of people who believe he is the Messiah. The Romans capture him and crucify him, and, despite many opportunities, no one rescues him from the cross.
This was Monty Python's first big budget film and it was instantly banned by many countries on religious grounds, the Christians didn't want anyone laughing at a film which took the time of Christ in a relaxed and comical view. Despite this is became a world classic.
Terry Jones directed, he was inexperienced and in a very foreign environment, but still the film runs smoothly and is shockingly funny throughout. For ESL students there will be some small problems especially having not been raised in a Christian culture some of the jokes may be missed, and the Monty Python team uses strong accents and slang which will cause further trouble. However this is a film that has crossed many borders already and I am confident that it will still be appreciated. For a clip go to http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/99524/Monty-Python-s-Life-Of-Brian/trailers