Siskel and Ebert Review of Life of Brian (1979)

From the Sept. 21, 1979, episode of "Sneak Previews" available at www.imdb.com/title/tt3436422/

[@CheefChaos]

Many thanks to Georg Harrison who put his house up in order to secure funding for the film. George even has a cameo in the movie.

[@HappyCynic]

"Hullo!"

[@pardyhardly]

He called it "the most expensive movie ticket ever".

[@wermagst]

@@pardyhardly I'm pretty sure he got his money back and then some 😉

[@AlexanderNixonArtHistory]

he was my favorite Monkee.

[@livinginvancouverbc2247]

@@AlexanderNixonArtHistory Georg Harrison wasn't a Monkee! He played drums for Josie and the Pussycats!

[@electronbluepearl8591]

I invited my cousin - who was deeply religious - he even attended the seminary, over to watch life of Brian years ago. He was very nervous about it, thought it would be sacrilegious etc. Well he was almost immediately rolling on the floor with laughter, and quoted the movie regularly for many years afterward. We unfortunately lost him back in 2003. But every time I watch the movie I smile thinking about how much he loved it

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

Thanks for sharing!

[@calessel3139]

Growing up, my best friend was an extreme fundamentalist Christian and it was his second favorite comedy of all time (his first being Monty Python's Holy Grail).

[@markbrowning4334]

Sounds like he was a well grounded person. People forget that we are created in HIS image. Our since of humor is part of that package.

[@gst013]

*cemetery

[@Beinlausi]

We watched that one as a part of preparation for our confirmation, the priest showed it to every year's group.

[@exessex3522]

In Sweden they advertised Life of Brian as "so funny, it was banned in Norway" (which it was).

[@oldsesalt8496]

And what have the Norwegians ever done for us?!!! Oh, right. What you said.

[@rodolfonetto118]

The best Swedish joke I ever heard!

[@frankbarnwell____]

Moose empire strikes back

[@bYtealiEnSzen]

😆 🤣 😂

[@What_Makes_Climate_Tick]

As an American of both Swedish and Norwegian ancestry who loves this movie, thanks for this comment. I don't think my grandparents would have liked the movie, though.

[@kelman727]

True story. The film was banned in my Mum’s hometown (Aberystwyth). Decades later, the actress who played Judith became the town’s Mayor. A special screening of the film was arranged at the local cinema, which Terry Jones and Michael Palin attended. Everyone had a BLAST. And the funny thing? The film had never actually been banned. It turned out the miserable sod behind the ban in the 70s forgot to file the paperwork.

[@skipads5141]

It's like a vote for black Bush....

[@pseudonymous8702]

Aberystwyth sounds like it was named by a cat that walked over a laptop keyboard.

[@michael_gibbs]

@@pseudonymous8702 Most places in Wales do, scratch that, most of the Welsh language does.

[@myronsanders4563]

Ironically, this sounds like a Monty Python Skit

[@stevensiferd7104]

Aberystwyth I love the spelling of Welsh towns. Pontius Pilate would have a hard time pwonouncing them.

[@geoffreybrockmeier3765]

I always found it hilarious that the “men” doing the stoning were actually men pretending to be women pretending to be men.

[@stephenlackey5852]

The opposite of Victor-Victoria where Julie Andrews was a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman.

[@brad_hensil]

“I’M A DUDE, PLAYING A DUDE, DISGUISED AS ANOTHER DUDE!”

[@Dayvit78]

I can't believe I didn't realize it until you pointed it out. But yes, this is Robert Downey Jr level.

[@jammcguire1276]

@@brad_hensil That was my first thought!

[@OurBelovedBungo]

@@Dayvit78 Robert Downey *Senior* (whom we just lost a couple of weeks ago - may the great man rest in peace) made his own excellent Christ-figure movie, Greaser's Palace, which also memorably featured Herve Villechaize with a spouse (another man dressed as a woman) named Spitunia.

[@riffgroove]

Wait until Biggus Dikkus hears about this...

[@sumvs5992]

Well latin uses the "hard" version of "C" so it would probably look like Bigus Dicus

[@ricarleite]

Whan I saaaaay the name.............................. Biggus... DICKUS?

[@taand4725]

He has a wife, you know?

[@Bedevere]

Do not bring Incontinentia Buttocks into this

[@pentelegomenon1175]

@@Bedevere I always imagined it as "Incontinentia Buttox"

[@williammacdonald9271]

The bit “what have the Romans done for us”, fits perfectly today, short memories

[@bpivr]

True. I think of that scene every time someone bashes the government.

[@annalieff-saxby568]

There's a Brexit skit "What has Europe every done for us?" using Parliamentary footage. Worth looking for.

[@customsongmaker]

@@annalieff-saxby568 "Why can't we let Germany rule Europe? What have they done wrong LATELY?"

[@MichaelWilson-io8xq]

The aqueduct?

[@vervor]

Other than the….:…….:… what have they ever done for us?!??

[@footofjuniper8212]

Roger closes with a variation on "And now for something completely different." Love it.

[@waynej2608]

Yeah, caught that. Right on, Roger.

[@mikeroadblock]

They did a good job standing up to BS too.

[@hank1519]

We miss him. Still read his reviews.

[@alanr4447a]

And didn't Siskel & Ebert show a man with a tape recorder up his nose next?

[@donrobertson4940]

Oh. Did you watch it too?

[@peterschultz354]

Most importantly, it's a joy to watch Gene and Roger laugh with glee during their review. Clearly, they love this movie, immensely. Their feelings match what so many of us felt when we first saw the film ourselves.

[@deeestuary]

Many people objected to Life of Brian as they felt it was mocking Jesus, in other words Brian was really Jesus. But the whole point of the film, if the objectors had actually bothered to watch it, was that Brian WASN’T Jesus or a messiah of any kind. He was just a very naughty boy!

[@Demetri450]

Brian was an innocent bystander who got caught up in the religious movement at the time due to his parents.

[@jeffbayne15]

Yes... Only the REAL Messiah would deny that he is the "Chosen One"!!! Alright... Then I AM The Messiah... I Knew It! Here's Our Messiah!!!

[@maskedmarvyl4774]

He wasn't even naughty. He was just an average schmoe trying to get by and society and the Romans wouldn't let him....

[@jeffbayne15]

@@maskedmarvyl4774 Yeah ... Those Romans liked to have their way...

[@collieclone]

@@jeffbayne15 Promised me the known world he did...

[@pianoplayrpiano99]

I miss these guys. They had intelligence, wit and class.

[@CorePathway]

Unfortunately half the population has none of the above. Someone would start shooting.

[@Greg-go8ep]

@@CorePathway So true: "Think about how dumb the average person is, and then consider that half of the population is dumber than that". George Carlin

[@fabiobonetta5454]

You're not alone brother. You're not alone

[@kejiri3593]

@@Greg-go8ep Would you say communism is more ideal :)

[@greenbluemonkey]

He's right. If you're worried an hour and a half film will shake your faith, then I'd question my faith.

[@darrencottam1146]

A cartoon change Charlie hebo employees life .

[@mtnbiker014]

@@darrencottam1146 Yep, the religion of peace.

[@jimsanderson4180]

@@mtnbiker014 Just like the Christians through most of their history.

[@dougmaclennan8654]

He’s wrong. If a 3 minute speech or a 20 minute sermon or a 40 page book can change someone’s life, so to can a 90 minute movie.

[@LadyhawksLairDotCom]

Faith is weak. That's why the faithful isolate themselves from anyone with a differing opinion. This is coming from someone who attended 16 years of religious schools. Spoiler Alert! Turns out Christianity is a lie and if you admit that to yourself and come out of the closet, you'll probably lose all your friends and family. No wonder people are so afraid to lose their faith. They're afraid they'll get the same treatment I did.

[@RS3DArchive]

Brian: "You are all individuals." Crowd: "We are all individuals." Life of Brian is full of funny, ironic satire of the whole concept of organized religion. In its own way it is the most religious movie out there.

[@dereckdaschke7150]

Lone individual in crowd: "I'm not."

[@gregoryeatroff8608]

The Welsh home town of the actress who played Judith banned this film. So she went into politics, got elected mayor, and showed it after she took office.

[@gregoryeatroff8608]

@Ethan Hammons mostly.

[@gregoryeatroff8608]

@Ethan Hammons the town really did ban the movie, and she really did become mayor, but the notion that she went into politics to get the movie shown is, sadly, a myth. According to her wikepedia article (admittedly not the most reliable source) she only found out about the ban after assuming office. Here's a more reliable source confirming her service as mayor and screening of the film. www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/monty-python-stars-flout-aberystwyth-2795541

[@BigJayKaner]

Leave that Welsh tart alone!!

[@funk3nst3in]

NOICE

[@KevTheImpaler]

That's good. We need doers in this organisation.

[@BenjWarrant]

"Now we should go on to something completely different..." Excellent, Woger.

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

The people calling Life of Brian "blasphemous" are the same people the movie is making fun of. And they have no idea. The irony is spectacular.

[@markstoudenmire4935]

I've been saying the same thing for years!

[@intomnia3313]

Pilletta Doinswartsh / there's a great KZbin video with Cleese and Palin(?) discuss this film with Malcom Muggeridge and some cardinal or something.

[@ichabodnoodle9595]

Love that Terry Jones always said the movie is NOT blasphemous, it’s heretical. (an important distinction)

[@grahambuckerfield4640]

@@intomnia3313 Yes, Muggeridge became against 'the permissive society' when he became too old to take part in it, the Bishop of Lambeth with him was later found to not only be a drunk but a liking for Altar Boys.

[@obroni]

The irony is spectacular. Or as Pilate would say: The iwony is spectacuwaw.

[@HSMiyamoto]

"Life of Brian" really began when Eric Idle told a reporter that, having just ridiculed the legend of King Arthur, the next Python film would be "Jesus Christ: Lust for Glory."

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

True or not, that title is hilarious!

[@hanswiersma-augsburg2183]

@@sgt.thundercok4704 It's true, apparently! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5PGmaCpndWmsJI

[@johnepants]

I think originally Life of Brian was gonna be about Jesus, but when they started their research, they realized “ehh, this guy is alright, we don’t want to make fun of him”, so instead they made fun of religious and political fanatics.

[@lazaruslong92]

@@johnepantsFuck that, Jesus never existed.

[@joelesser2550]

Duh

[@ronbo11]

I know they got more famous once they went into syndication, but I still have a soft spot for their original stint on PBS doing Sneak Previews. No matter what version of Siskel & Ebert that they did, they bickered and sometimes made me mad, but they always took their jobs seriously and respected each other and the audience. They've never been replaced.

[@binsniff]

you should check out red letter media

[@shibopshibop]

“Oh God” and “The Life Of Brian” came out while I was at a nice conservative seminary. They were both wildly popular with the students and many of the faculty. No one felt particularly threatened by either film.

[@samfrito]

George Burns made some great comedies in his time.

[@MrUndersolo]

We should wewelease this movie vewy soon...

[@hanswiers]

They did! Back in April, for the 40th Anniversary. Looks like there are still some venues showing it this fall. Check it out: www.wewantbrian.com/?campaign=Global_MontyPython_Website

[@waynej2608]

I must have missed it. Shit! I saw it when it first came out and loved it. I'm weally looking foward to seeing it again.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

I agwee!

[@jb888888888]

@@waynej2608 You missed one, sowwy.

[@tuberholic]

My favorite part is the graffiti scene. I hope my freshman Latin teacher got a chance to see it. Ol' Father Sweeney would have laughed his ass off.

[@zapkvr]

The grammar lesson was friggin hilarious. I laughed my guts off. Romans go home. Jesus that was funny.

[@Ken_Scaletta]

"How many Romans?" My own Latin teacher in college actually used that scene in class. Everything in it is completely accurate.

[@vincentwilliams363]

I have that on a T-shirt (Brian's words crossed out and corrected). So far only one person has picked out the reference.

[@cufflink44]

@@vincentwilliams363 Oh wow! I would love to get that t-shirt!

[@cchavezjr7]

Right, now don't do it again!

[@nicklengyel6710]

Thank you Mr. Harrison

[@heyyou7408]

Siskel had such a strong argument at 4:35 , just goes to show how sharp and brilliant Siskel & Ebert were, I truly miss them

[@zapkvr]

Oh FFS stop making excuses. They had to dumb the review down for american audiences because they don't read the bible and don't understand satire

[@samfrito]

I was grateful to have started watching their reviews around this time. It opened my mind to watching more genres and getting to know great actors.

[@heyyou7408]

@@samfrito wish I was alive around that time but fortunately we have the internet for babies like me to experience these eras

[@samfrito]

@@heyyou7408 I know the feeling. We are incredibly lucky to be able to revisit this anytime and see how great a fledgling series on public television changed our world. So glad you see things that way too.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

I prefer to call it George Harrison's Life Of Brian

[@mmjahink]

Hello!

[@Schmitz3]

Nobody would help finance the movie back then fearing a backlash from the religious, then Eric Idle sent the script to George Harrison and he loved it and provided the funds to make the movie.

[@solracer66]

The only time someone mortgaged their house because they wanted to see a film!

[@SNESdrunk]

Siskel coming with straight fire at 4:34, and he's absolutely right

[@cholesterol6703]

Siskel misses the point. The religious leaders were not worried about the faithful watching the film and losing or wounding their faith, they were complaining that trivializing and/or lampooning the story of Christ was a "bad thing". Yes, yes, the film was purportedly made, as they point out, as a sendup of religious films, but not everyone has the emotional intelligence to realize that or to separate fact from fiction. And those people, according the complainers, were being done a disservice by the film. The film didn't need defending and neither did the complaints. They both were controversial but legal speech expressions. That Siskel felt the need to defend it showed that even if he didn't have a dog in the fight, he wish he did. And that's ok, because critics, like everybody else, are allowed to have opinions.

[@RumourdProd]

@@cholesterol6703 Uh, they were complaining that it ridiculed Christ which in turn would shake up the faith of the religious. That was their fear. So Siskel was spot on. I don't go for dumbing down to the less emotionally intelligent, otherwise we all end up with chaff.

[@SNESdrunk]

@@cholesterol6703 "not everyone has the emotional intelligence to realize that or to separate fact from fiction" Then maybe those particular folks should be spending their time obtaining some emotional intelligence, instead of complaining about Monty Python movies

[@ELEKTROSKANSEN]

@@cholesterol6703 "Yes, yes, the film was purportedly made, as they point out, as a sendup of religious films, but not everyone has the emotional intelligence to realize that or to separate fact from fiction. And those people, according the complainers, were being done a disservice by the film." - oh my God, religious leaders of the late 70s must've been the root of cancel culture, trying to ban something simply because some people are too stupid to understand it, in an attempt to "protect" them from having their fee fees hurt :/

[@Ericwvb2]

@@cholesterol6703 Siskel is addressing the criticism from religious leaders at the time which was that this film was insulting to Christ and/or Christianity. It's not. I suspect the REAL reason religious leaders didn't want people to see the film was because of its central message which is don't just blindly follow religious leaders, think for yourself. Thanks to the "Streisand effect" the movie became a huge hit as everyone wanted to go see the film they were told not to go see.

[@Ofinfinitejest]

The religious protests made this film a far bigger hit at the box office. So hey, thanks!!!

[@jeanvandorst4287]

So, does the movie explicitly mock the Jewish faith? Especially Moses, the central figure of their faith? I haven't seen the movie, so I don't know. But I bet Siskel would not have been happy. He probably would have called it antisemitic.

[@Dear1Stupit1Dog]

@@jeanvandorst4287 Well, all the actors aren't Jewish, and he wasn't offended by that.

[@takima504]

@@jeanvandorst4287 no they never even mention moses. Not once at all.

[@kurtrivero368]

@@jeanvandorst4287 No it does not. Watch the classic film, dumbass.

[@GavinusMaximusMaster]

Lol are you a python? Why are you saying thanks

[@ivankaramasov]

This movie was banned in Norway at the time for being blasphemous. In Sweden it was advertised as "so funny that it is banned in Norway"

[@DJ-bj8ku]

It’s a parody of religious movements, rather than movies. Siskel was my favorite.

[@gottohavesoul]

Agreed, not at all a parody of religious movies, just religious beliefs and all its hypocrisies.

[@mmjahink]

As John Cleese said, they have nothing Jesus, just the fools that follow him (albeit incorrectly)

[@monmothma3358]

Yeah religious *and* political movements (Judean People's Front etc.)

[@ottoc7129]

I was about to write the same thing. Eric Idle said that it is hard to satirize Jesus because he actually has a lot of good to say (paraphrase). They clearly went after religious groups and how people have a propensity to "follow" and create their own (absurd) beliefs (follow the gourd or follow the sandal?)

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

As with most Python, it's a parody of many things with a lot of silliness wrapped in.

[@digitalbookworm5678]

"We are all individuals!" All together now 😎

[@jb888888888]

I'm not.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@jb888888888 HUSH!

[@joew717]

that last line Ebert said was a great Monty Python Easter egg..."And now something completely different...."

[@ShikataGaNai100]

"Forget the shoe...follow the gourd!"

[@forcedtosignup2]

It's a miracle!!!

[@marktosh3739]

I always looked forward to hearing them debate or agree on the latest releases. They are both missed.

[@feanol22]

Those two were great. Miss their insights and thumbs. May they rest in piece.

[@BackwoodsFilms]

Even the members of Python have stated that this was their best film. As popular as Holy Grail was, Graham Chapman's drinking made it an extremely difficult movie to make, and it just kind of falls apart at the end. Life of Brian was solid throughout, with a great story line and terrific performances by everyone.

[@PrometheanConsulting]

I've always referred to Holy Grail as their second best movie. Can be an icebreaker on occasion...

[@PrometheanConsulting]

@Chuck Buskee I think the word you're looking for is "zanier" :)

[@PrometheanConsulting]

@Chuck Buskee Wik! Alsø wik. Alsø alsø wik.

[@jameshannagan7830]

I laugh harder during the skits that work in The Meaning Of Life than either of the other two films.

[@charlie-obrien]

"Life of Brian" was technically the Python's 3rd film. So they were getting better at it. Also they were in the rare situation where the financing came from a source (George Harrison) that did not interfere or try to change their creativity at all, much like their early years on the BBC. It is without a doubt, the funniest film of the 70's and 80's.

[@charold3]

“I shall . . . welease . . . Woger Ebut!”

[@hifijohn]

Anybody who hates this movie should be thrown to the ground very roughly

[@sonyab.5709]

Stoned, more like it.

[@amitverma4203]

"thwown to the floow vewy woughly

[@MrUndersolo]

Amit Verma What, sir?

[@theflyingdonkeypunch]

@SkarletEbony and er, throw him to the floor again?

[@waynej2608]

And crucified!

[@ulyssessegatto9759]

The funniest thing is that the people who say the film is blasphemous look like the women who stoned the rabbi for speaking the word Jehovah. Life imitates art.

[@buckaroobanzai7063]

I’m glad they liked it but they were wrong, it wasn’t mocking religious movies but organized religion itself. It doesn’t mock what Jesus taught, but how people interpreted it. That sort of thing.

[@PunguinYoga]

Yes, I keep telling folks it's about people who miss the point. And, of course, it seems the people who condemned the movie missed the point of the movie.

[@sarlaccstapeworm990]

Thanks a million for the upload!! I used to love these guys growing up. I always knew when they came on, that it was a opportunity to see a (very short and fleeting) scene of a lot of different things that I knew I'd want to be watching in the future. I didn't always agree with them,, but OF COURSE in THIS case I did! It's great to see them again. Reviewing one of my favorite FILMS of ALL TIME!! 👍👍

[@badkittynomilktonight3334]

Very very very few times do you ever see S&E actually laughing along with a movie in their review.

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

Agreed.

[@xdmaster7888]

They were much more likely to laugh a lot when they were reviewing a really bad (but not-grotesque) movie, than when they reviewed a comedy they really liked. I suggest you watch S&E's reviews of "Red Sonja", "Invasion USA", and "Americathon" to get a sense of how the GOAT critics reacted when a movie that wasn't a parody played as one.

[@mk1st]

"He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy". Just about the funniest movies ever made.

[@skipads5141]

"Now f*&$ off!!" "How shall we f#*& off, oh Lord?"

[@rogersmith7396]

Let me help you with that cross brother. No wait its not my cross. Get on you. Crucifixtions are twaddle.

[@joshuahoover6841]

My greatest accomplishment as a dad? My 17-year-old son reached out to me out of the blue one day and said: dad? Monty Python life of Brian… Epic.

[@stevecampbell9670]

Maybe he just has a thing for Welsh tarts....

[@RedBear535]

My Dad loved it when I discovered Holy Grail. He then blew my mind by telling me they had a tv show.

[@wait...what...]

You've raised a good man.

[@samfrito]

Generally, that's something my father and I carried on about for years. How great Monty Python movies were.

[@joshuahoover6841]

Okay I just remembered something and I'm going to brag... My other greatest accomplishment as a father? When my daughter was about 10 or 11 years old we're driving along and she says dad dad! There's trouble in the engine! I turned to her and said the engine, what is it? She said it's thing under the hood that makes the car go, but that's not important right now! She was improvising a line from "Airplane" 💙😁

[@zarmindrow5831]

Wow, great find! Thanks for the upload.

[@dianalee3059]

One of my all time faves! Glad these guys liked it

[@marcoschaub8978]

This is one of the greatest comedies ever made. Almost every scene is iconic and quotable. It is not sacreligious because it doesn't make fun of Jesus. It makes fun of religious people. And we should make much more fun of religious people.

[@cr10001]

It makes fun of *everything*, from established religions and their absurd rules (Jehovah!), to new cults, to social activists, to trade unions and their love of forming committees, to the left and their perpetual splintering into factions, to schoolmasters and their Latin obsession, to people with speech defects, to transgenders ("I want to have babies")... my favourite movie.

[@marcoschaub8978]

@@cr10001 Yes, you're absolutely right. In essence, it mocks authority in its many forms: Religious, political, grammatical, ...

[@zapkvr]

@@marcoschaub8978 does it though?

[@marcoschaub8978]

@@zapkvr Does it though what?

[@dwhitman3092]

Lmao 😂!

[@bill8985]

This is the sensible person's version of real satire. I did see this in the theater - but all those late Saturday nights of sneaking to the basement after bedtime to watch the Flying Circus really softened me up to the impending "controversy" I miss the brilliance of these guys. Thanks for posting, Hans.

[@joelhassig6099]

I used to sneak out after bedtime to watch Flying Circus, too!

[@bill8985]

@@joelhassig6099 I wonder how many of us are out there?!!! Cheers!

[@alondathomas293]

I used to stay up and watch Monty Python on Saturday nights on PBS around 11:30, and liked the show because it was so damn weird. Never saw any of their films though. I did finally see The Life of Brian in 2019 at a 40th anniversary showing of it, and it was pretty fun.

[@marcmckenzie5110]

I loved these guys! My best friend and I watched this live, the first time it was shown, because we both remember the review.

[@Madyetmellow]

In my top 5 films. So many great quotable lines in this film.

[@coreyjudd4676]

I'm not

[@TesterAnimal1]

My eyes are old, my ears are bent, my knees are grey…

[@amandawilcox9638]

Never was much of a Monty Python girl. My daughter was really young...etc. Now I know I missed something good. Miss Siskel & Ebert, too!

[@flinx1241]

Grew up with their reviews. They were great!

[@MNuttree]

This movie taught me to look on the bright side of life.

[@netrade3898]

I was waiting for the Colonel to interrupt Siskel and Ebert and say, "Stop! Stop right there! I think this is silly! The critiquing of this movie is silly, and the movie itself is even sillier than that!"

[@leogavitt8162]

Every time I see that stoning scene I cackle like a fucking maniac. So brilliant.

[@markfrommaryland3825]

There are at least ten scenes that make me laugh a lot, starting with the Shirley Bassey-parody Opening Theme and graphics. One that people have forgotten: the out of left field potshot at Star Wars in the middle of the movie for one minute, there and gone. As absurd as it gets.

[@charlie-obrien]

"Life of Brian" was technically the Python's 3rd film and they were getting better at making them. They were also in the rare situation where the financing came from a source (George Harrison) that did not interfere or try to change their creativity at all, much like their early years on the BBC. It is without a doubt, the funniest film of the 70's and 80's. The only thing on film that comes close in perfectly hitting the spot was the "Every Sperm is Sacred" sequence in their last movie.

[@alondathomas293]

The story behind Life of Brian finally getting made is that the Pythons had showed the script to every studio they could think of in Hollywood and Britain, and were turned down by everyone. Apparently, George Harrison got a hold of it, liked it, and decided to finance it, which inspired him to start his own film company, called Handmade Films, just to get the film out there, and it became one of he premier indie film companies until about the late '90s or so.

[@gibbogle]

The funniest film of all time. I can't think of a funnier.

[@zzrsteve7934]

I miss Siskel and Ebert.

[@LadyhawksLairDotCom]

Men pretending to be women pretending to be men. The meta is strong with this one.

[@edwardsholty7959]

I applaud the approach of singling out a single title and stripping away banter and title videos. Hope you continue this. It's a pity that the resolution of the picture couldn't be sharper. Is that possible? Siskel's comments about the Python's satire is most welcome.

[@slatvatfatcat]

Probably uploaded from an old VHS tape.

[@charleswinokoor6023]

I miss both those fellows quite a bit. As for “Life of Brian,” I’m a member of “the tribe” who saw it when it was released with a friend who was Catholic. I thought it was amusing, but he thought it was hilarious.

[@bennewnham4497]

This is one of the brilliant films ever made.

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

It is. "I was blind but now I see WHAAAAAAGGGGG...!"

[@wait...what...]

3:25 I'm just going to use that line when I still can't understand someone after I've asked them to repeat themself, "oh yes, about 11 sir" and then not explain it and let the silence get awkward.

[@EdwardAndersen]

Did anyone catch Roger Ebert's Monty Python reference at the end? "And now onto something completely different."

[@m4ttyp4nts]

You're the only one.

[@EdwardAndersen]

@@m4ttyp4nts The nine likes to my comment indicate otherwise. Thanks for playing!

[@ryans756]

@@EdwardAndersen I didn't catch it at all. Thanks to your eagle eyes and fond memory about things you've seen and heard in the past, I've been exposed to the hilarity of that final comment of Mr Ebert. Before reading your extremely insightful post , I thought he was just making a matter-of-fact statement relating to the traditional structure/chronological nature of a television show! Thank Jehovah for people like Edward Andersen, that's all I can say. May I worship you?

[@mdiciaccio87]

@@ryans756 But he doesn't want to be the messiah!

[@ryans756]

@@mdiciaccio87 Who says it's up to him?

[@neilevans8204]

All Time classic film!

[@davewanamaker3690]

Good to see the team of Siskel and Ebert at their peak.

[@bulkvanderhuge9006]

Wow, I remember watching these two on PBS back in the day. It's so sad what happened to the both of them

[@davonjohnson6117]

So funny! I miss this show! I started watch in Jr.High 78 or 79' Love there style in movie review!

[@samfrito]

Same here. I remember seeing them review Rocky Horror Picture Show and always wanting more previews of coming movies.

[@resplendentpeace]

2:15 This is a nice moment. I don't think I've ever seen them laugh this hard after a clip.

[@michaelnorman3393]

Thank you George 😄

[@joeyconservative]

Life of Brian changed my life

[@sam21462]

I questioned my faith long ago. I'm still waiting for a reply. Faith doesn't seem to be much about answers.

[@magistrumartium]

If you were born at another time you would be waiting for answers from Zeus or Athena, Odin or Thor--and nobody believes in THEM anymore!

[@dang2443]

@@magistrumartium As far as you know....

[@napoearth]

Not for lazy people. That word, faith, has a meaning and is used in regards to religion, purposely.

[@sam21462]

@@napoearth - lol Faith is the ultimate lazy in any way conceivable.

[@napoearth]

@@sam21462 lazy is kneeling down and praying to God for wealth and then when you wake up and there isn’t a million bucks in your account, saying, “oh well, I guess there’s no such thing as God. He didn’t answer my prayer.”

[@acrovader]

I wonder what they thought of 'Holy Grail', assuming that either one ever saw it.

[@PacoOtis]

Bravo!!

[@cremasteel1]

I was a student at Uni flatting in Hamilton NZ when it was released. Movies, cafes was something we didn't do as students back then we saved all our money for rent, food and alcohol. Then we saw the news on our black and white tv all these people protesting about Life of Brian and how people should boycott it. Well we exercised our choice to go watch it and see what the fuss was all about. I remember a big group of us biking back to our various flats at night singing but mainly humming "Always look on the bright side of life". Loved it back then still do

[@andrewattenboroughtwothumb4697]

great review of one of my favourite comedy movies by monty python and directed by the late great terry jones

[@ShikataGaNai100]

...and, one of the executive producers was George Harrison.

[@djfrank68]

I guess they couldn’t preview the Biggus Dickus scene. 😁

[@StanSwan]

He's got a wife you know?

[@gregory6903]

Not to mention Incontinentia Buttocks.

[@ZelbeQahi]

I miss these guys!

[@tomcooley3778]

One of the best movies I’ve ever seen!

[@adriansherlockdamondark.1094]

Very astute review.

[@pcbacklash_3261]

Blessed are the cheesemakers.

[@marks.6480]

Well, obviously, this is not meant to be taken literally. It refers to any manufacturers of dairy products.

[@pcbacklash_3261]

@@marks.6480 Unless they have big noses... ;-)

[@ShikataGaNai100]

@@pcbacklash_3261 "Who you callin' "big nose?"

[@pcbacklash_3261]

@@ShikataGaNai100 :-)

[@rcwilliams4959]

I miss those guys.

[@tommyt1971]

I’m sure that most of the objectors to this flick hadn’t even seen it.

[@jamesrwallace77]

Monty Python is the Monty Python of comedy

[@angrykermit3192]

On a side note, notice how there aren't seizure inducing quick edits, excessive graphics and fancy sound effects in this review like there are in today's media. They actually let the segment breathe. Also, I was surprised that they let the whole movie clip play. That would never happen in today's short attention span world.

[@maria6451]

It literally has the same pace as the news nowadays and is shorter than most youtube videos, ur point is completely wrong

[@gibbogle]

I was disappointed that they didn't get to really funny part of the Biggus Dickus skit.

[@angrykermit3192]

@@maria6451 I can't take you seriously because of your misuse of the word "literally".

[@maria6451]

@@angrykermit3192how is it it a misuse

[@angrykermit3192]

@@maria6451 Because when you said it has the same pace as the news nowadays it's assumed that you didn't mean it metaphorically, you half wit. lol

[@TheBlindDM]

This movie still holds up

[@brianew]

Yes, we are all individuals!!

[@roberts1918]

Than you George Harrison, for bankrolling this movie and making it possible for us to laugh our butts off at ourselves.

[@nongthip]

Fundamental Christians were equally offended by two instances of very brief full frontal nudity. Also lines such as "I have a vewy gweat fwiend in Wome called 'Biggus Dickus'." And now for something completely different: A list of other good 1979 movies... Alien Apocalypse Now Mad Max Escape from Alcatraz Meatballs The Jerk

[@kevinmcdonald6477]

I don't think the first Mad Max or Meatballs aged as well as the others you mentioned.

[@VCT3333]

Apocalypse Now Redux is a much better movie. The original was mangled by the studio and the Director's cut is a much better movie experience. The original one is badly edited and too choppy.

[@4rcgv]

I love this movie. It is timeless and extremely funny.

[@RataStuey]

Love love love Life of Brian

[@jerometaperman7102]

It's one of the century's funniest films. Michael Palin wears a toga better than anyone.

[@rogersmith7396]

Do you feel anything when I say the name--- Bigus Dickus?

[@daveg6839]

This was more than a mere parody of religious movies. This was a commentary on religion itself and is more subversive than Siskel gives it credit for.

[@gibbogle]

You are dead right. Siskel came across as pretty superficial in his thinking, to me.

[@bubbastill2040]

The balcony is closed,moved to another realm.................

[@therealzilch]

Siskel and Ebert were the best. I miss them. And Monty Python too, it goes without saying.

[@rmurphy440m]

Guys dressed as women pretending to be men. Perfect!

[@someoneelse101]

And women pretending to be men so they can attend stoning

[@lilaclunablossom]

Vague transphobia??

[@Lythgoemania]

@@lilaclunablossom Not at all. Though there is one specific scene about identifying as a woman that aged badly.

[@davidjorgensen877]

Even better than that: I'm pretty sure one of them is Carol Cleveland, so she would be a woman pretending to be a man dressed as a woman pretending to be a man.

[@kathyastrom1315]

Watch the film Victor/Victoria. Julie Andrews plays a woman pretending to be a man, pretending to be a woman. Hilarious romp, set in 1930s Paris, with James Garner, Alex Karras, and Robert Preston, directed by Blake Edwards and with wonderful songs by Henry Mancini.

[@dale8809]

I discovered this movie while in Catholic middle school. Heard about it from parents and faculty while they were condemning it. Still one of my favorites. The movie, not the Catholic nonsense.

[@zyxwut321]

Gene Siskel was a 33 year old man here and Ebert was around 37. They both look, act and sound about 20 years older.

[@thebrownmenace3511]

RIP legends.

[@MurderMostFowl]

And conservative Christian groups learned in the end to laugh a little at themselves and never got upset about comedy again! The End. 🦶(sideways)

[@charlesdavis7087]

I think the "Life of Brian" is closer to the truth than those written by Mathew, Mark, Luke, or John.

[@markbrowning4334]

I'm with you about Life of Brian being great, but let's not get absurd about the first four of the New Testament. The authors of the Bible were commissioned and inspired by God. Don't throw them under the bus for all of the trash religious movements and leaders that have followed through the ages.

[@herzeliedstein573]

@@markbrowning4334 can’t tell if serious

[@markbrowning4334]

@@herzeliedstein573 That was serious. I agreed with you on appreciating Life of Brian. I disagreed with you about it being more truthful than the Bible.

[@Hoganply]

@@markbrowning4334 The Bible's more truthful than a Dan Brown novel, in more ways than one, but then, that's faint praise.

[@mrgreenjeans1794]

Back when PBS had some good programming. This was mandatory weekly viewing back in the day.

[@makani9004]

I remember being a little kid and staying up to watch Keeping Up Appearances and Are You Being Served? on PBS. Not in the same league as MPFC, but it was definitely a taste of something different.

[@ArcherSuh4721]

My father was a Congregationalist minister (past tense because he's retired, not dead) and Life of Brian is one of his favorite movies of all time. He told me about all the controversy surrounding it when it came out and genuinely didn't understand what people were getting so upset about! He went into the theatre worried that a comedy troupe that he was a big fan of was going to be disrespectful, but left not only loving the movie, but not even detecting a shred of blasphemy in it at all. As he put it, "Most people who got offended didn't see it and the few that did were people who got offended by everything anyway." Fun Fact: The idea for Life of Brian originated when Monty Python was on a press tour promoting Holy Grail. They kept on being asked what the next film would be, so they started thinking up the absolute worst titles they could think of. Eric Idle came up with, "Jesus Christ: Lust For Glory" and that kickstarted the idea of doing a Biblical-epic parody.