We Are All Individuals! (I'm not.)

March 24, 2004 9:52 AM

Classic films being re-released aren't normally news. Except, of course, when you are referring to films that were controversial when they were initially released. As a counterpoint to Mel Gibson's box-office smash, The Passion of the Christ, Monty Python will re-release The Life of Brian on Good Friday. This is more fun than a box of Peeps any day. Don't like CNN? Try the BBC or CBC coverage
posted by ilsa (25 comments total)

He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy.
posted by seanyboy at 10:12 AM on March 24, 2004

Excellent. It's too bad they don't have the time (or will) to release it as a "Director's Cut" with an extra 5 minutes of gratuitous scourging.
posted by soyjoy at 10:31 AM on March 24, 2004

they don't have the time (or will)

...um, or Graham Chapman, of course. Maybe they could scourge a Mel Gibson lookalike?
posted by soyjoy at 10:34 AM on March 24, 2004

Now if George Romero would rerelease Dawn of the Dead on Easter Sunday, we would have the complete set.
posted by mischief at 10:35 AM on March 24, 2004

"How shall we ... ?"
posted by grabbingsand at 10:35 AM on March 24, 2004

Two words that encapsulate the funniest five minutes in the history of film: "Biggus D**kus."
posted by Faze at 10:49 AM on March 24, 2004

man, I hope this comes my way (doubtful being in such a small spot). such a great movie!
posted by evening at 11:18 AM on March 24, 2004

Ah, always look on the bright side of life. I had been thinking about LOB quite a bit lately. For example, every time I hear of various splinter factions of Al Qaeda or Hama taking credit for x, y and z, I think of the argument at the coliseum about whether one should belong to the PFJ (people's front of Judea) or the JPF (Judean People's Front).

Also, the scene where the Roman soldier corrects the anarchist's graffiti was particularly funny to those of us who were tortured (if not scourged) by our Latin teachers in high school.
posted by psmealey at 12:08 PM on March 24, 2004

"So the people called Romans - they do what?"

Truly, a classic movie. And psmealy, are you sure it wasn't the People's Liberation Front of Judea?
posted by alex_reno at 12:13 PM on March 24, 2004

But that distinction was lost on some who were offended by the irreverent flavor of the film, including a scene in which several crucifixion victims sing and whistle the tune "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" while hanging on crosses.

I'll never get over what exists in humanity that can cause some people to be deeply offended by this scene in Brian, while the gratuitous* violence depicted in Passion is passes for acceptable family entertainment. Perhaps people have changed since then, but I suspect not.

*Notwithstanding the fact that an NFL football player could likely could not have survived the beating that Caviezel's character took, a crow swoops down to pluck the eye of one of the executed? For what reason? Was that really essential to moving the story forward?
posted by psmealey at 12:30 PM on March 24, 2004

All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us??
posted by gimonca at 2:49 PM on March 24, 2004

brought peace?
posted by spartacusroosevelt at 2:59 PM on March 24, 2004

One of the top five movies of all time, I think.

Decurion: Found this spoon, sir!
Centurion: Well done, sergeant!
posted by soundofsuburbia at 3:44 PM on March 24, 2004

brought peace?

Oh shut up!
posted by salmacis at 4:48 PM on March 24, 2004

From CNN: The movie focused on the fictional Brian of Nazareth, a Jew who is born in the manger next-door to Jesus and grows up to join an anti-Roman separatist group called the Judean People's Front but ends up being mistaken for the Messiah.

NO. Brian was a part of the People's Front of Judea, not the "fucking Judean People's Front".
posted by DrJohnEvans at 7:13 PM on March 24, 2004

PILATE:
Centuwion, why do they titter so?
posted by Slagman at 7:32 PM on March 24, 2004

Oh, fine.

WELEASE WEGINALD!
posted by yhbc at 7:53 PM on March 24, 2004

Blessed are the cheesemakers.
posted by SPrintF at 8:03 PM on March 24, 2004

I believe he means all purveyors of dairy products.
posted by ilsa at 9:09 PM on March 24, 2004

Has anyone read the original script? The bit with Pilate's wife, and Otto and the Nazirenes? Gripping stuff.

(explanation: in the original script, the "Judean People's Front Crack Suicide Squad" were actually a group of suicidal Nazi-esque jews. They dressed like Hitler, and had a surreal amalgamation of the Star of David and a swatstika as their logo.)
posted by cheaily at 1:37 AM on March 25, 2004

Was it Pilate's wife, or that of Biggus Dickus?

Her name was Incontinentia Buttocks, as I recall.
posted by psmealey at 11:10 AM on March 25, 2004

I noticed on the IMDB details that the film was initially banned in Ireland and Chile.
posted by darren at 11:12 AM on March 25, 2004

As it is written, when thou art gathered in groups of two or three, thou shalt recite the parrot sketch.
posted by inpHilltr8r at 12:40 PM on March 25, 2004

Two words that encapsulate the funniest five minutes in the history of film: "Biggus D**kus."

I just peed myself a bit from giggling, thinking about that scene.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 10:01 PM on March 25, 2004

Crucifixion?

Yes.

Good. Out of the door. Line on the left. One cross each. Next. Crucifixion?

I love this movie. : )
posted by SisterHavana at 6:43 PM on March 26, 2004