Every now and then I see on my Facebook page a meme relating to or a link to a clip from the film, “Life of Brian”. Usually, I find such to be pertinent or funny, and so much so that I am going to blog about this iconic film in order to get it all off my chest.

According to Wikipedia: “Monty Python’s Life of Brian (also known as Life of Brian) is a 1979 British comedy film starring and written by the comedy group Monty Python (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin). It was directed by Jones. The film tells the story of Brian Cohen (played by Chapman), a young Jewish-Roman man who is born on the same day as—and next door to—Jesus, and is subsequently mistaken for the Messiah … The film’s themes of religious satire were controversial at the time of its release, drawing accusations of blasphemy and protests from some religious groups … The film was a box office success, the fourth-highest-grossing film in the United Kingdom in 1979, and highest grossing of any British film in the United States that year. It has remained popular and has been named as the greatest comedy film of all time by several magazines and television networks, and it later received a 96% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes with the consensus reading, “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.” In a 2006 Channel 4 poll, Life of Brian was ranked first on their list of the 50 Greatest Comedy Films.”

I wrote on my page concerning the “I want to be a woman” clip (see here) relating to the meme I shared (see above): “Back in the day, like my all-time hero, Malcolm Muggeridge, I would have been righteously indignant concerning “Life of Brian” and yet this represents one of a number of scenes that make powerful points and, in this case, a prophetic one, because it relates to some of the transgender indoctrination that is now permeating our culture”. There are many great “Brian” clips one can check out on YouTube. I particularly like “What have the romans ever done for us” (see here) and “Biggus Dickus” (see here), because these are well made, genuinely funny and very insightful.

Malcolm Muggeridge was an important influence on my early Christian life. John Cleese and Michael Palin are brilliant comedians who achieved much in their careers in the years that followed. For that reason, I was pleased to go back in time to watch Muggeridge and Bishop Mervin Stockwood debate with Cleese and Palin regarding the suitability of the film and whether and/or to what extent the film might have undermined the Christian faith (see here). I have little doubt that back in the day I would have said it would have been to a great extent. Nowadays, I am less sure given how insightful the film is and the like of which may be a valuable antidote to today’s cancel, woke leaning culture. Even so, there were scenes such as that involving a crucifixion and stoning that made me feel somewhat uncomfortable. As for watching the film, it is one I recommend albeit one that comes with a spiritual health warning.