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Life of Brian Poster

Life of Brian

He's not the messiah...he's just a naughty boy.
1979 | 94m | English

(431252 votes)

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Popularity: 6 (history)

Details

Brian Cohen is an average young Jewish man, but through a series of ridiculous events, he gains a reputation as the Messiah. When he's not dodging his followers or being scolded by his shrill mother, the hapless Brian has to contend with the pompous Pontius Pilate and acronym-obsessed members of a separatist movement. Rife with Monty Python's signature absurdity, the tale finds Brian's life paralleling Biblical lore, albeit with many more laughs.
Release Date: Aug 17, 1979
Director: Terry Jones
Writer: Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, John Cleese
Genres: Comedy
Keywords jewry, roman empire, three kings, crucifixion, bethlehem, independence movement, satire, parody, religion, sermon on the mount, anarchic comedy, mother son relationship, hilarious, religious satire
Production Companies Python (Monty) Pictures Limited, Handmade Films
Box Office Revenue: $20,833,252
Budget: $4,000,000
Updates Updated: Jul 31, 2025
Entered: Apr 13, 2024
Trailers and Extras

International Posters

Full Credits

Name Character
Graham Chapman Wise Man #2 / Brian Cohen / Biggus Dickus
John Cleese Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
Terry Gilliam Man Even Further Forward / Revolutionary / Jailer / Blood and Thunder Prophet / Frank / Audience Member / Crucifee
Eric Idle Mr. Cheeky / Stan 'Loretta' / Harry the Haggler / Culprit Woman / Warris / Intensely Dull Youth / Jailer's Assistant / Otto / Lead Singer Crucifee
Terry Jones Mandy Cohen / Colin / Simon the Holy Man / Bob Hoskins / Saintly Passer-by / Alarmed Crucifixion Assistant
Michael Palin Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus
Terence Bayler Gregory
Carol Cleveland Mrs. Gregory
Kenneth Colley Jesus
Neil Innes A Weedy Samaritan
Charles McKeown False Prophet / Blind Man / Giggling Guard / Stig
John Young Matthias, Son of Deuteronomy of Gath
Gwen Taylor Mrs. Big Nose
Sue Jones-Davies Judith Iscariot
Peter Brett
John Case Pilate's Wife
Chris Langham Alfonso / Giggling Guard
Andrew MacLachlan Another Official Stoners Helper / Giggling Guard
Bernard McKenna Parvus / Official Stoners Helper / Giggling Guard
Spike Milligan Spike
George Harrison Mr. Papadopolous (uncredited)
Charles Knode Passer-by (uncredited)
Name Job
Graham Chapman Screenplay
Terry Gilliam Animation, Production Design, Screenplay
Eric Idle Screenplay
Terry Jones Director, Screenplay
Michael Palin Screenplay
Julian Doyle Editor
David Appleby Still Photographer
Charles Knode Costume Design
Hazel Pethig Costume Design
Kenteas Brine Hairstylist, Makeup Artist
Tony Orton Sound Effects Editor
Kent Houston Visual Effects
Mohammed Azounadhea Assistant Art Director
John Stanier Camera Operator
Sadok Ben Amor Grip
Hassen Soufi Set Dressing Artist
Ken Lintott Wigmaker
Alan Annand Loader
Peter Thompson Public Relations
John Spottiswood Scenic Artist
Garth Marshall Sound Recordist
Jonathan Benson First Assistant Director
Rodney Glenn First Assistant Editor
Roy Rodhouse Electrician
Ron Swinburne Production Accountant
Brenda Loader Continuity
Melvin Lind Second Assistant Director
Matthew Binns Third Assistant Director
Philip Chubb Assistant Sound Engineer
Christina Biziou Location Assistant
Marcus Dods Conductor
Ridha Turki Accountant
Bob Cuff Matte Painter
Hilary Sandison Producer's Assistant
Jennie Raglan Production Assistant
Brian Smith Electrician
John Foster Sound
Elaine Carew Makeup & Hair
Faouzia Choura Hairstylist, Makeup Artist
Sue Ignatius Hairstylist, Makeup Artist
Fatma Jaziri Hairstylist, Makeup Artist
Diana Webber Hairstylist, Makeup Artist
Maggie Weston Hairstylist, Makeup Artist
Benamar Hamida Assistant Director
Slim Mzali Assistant Director
Lotfi Thabet Assistant Director
David Watts Dolby Consultant
Geoffrey Burgon Original Music Composer
Peter Biziou Director of Photography
Roger Christian Art Direction
John Cleese Screenplay
Name Title
Tarak Ben Ammar Executive Producer
George Harrison Executive Producer
John Goldstone Producer
Tim Hampton Associate Producer
Denis O'Brien Executive Producer
Organization Category Person
Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 4 43 59 30
2024 5 61 67 48
2024 6 47 71 30
2024 7 38 60 25
2024 8 33 47 22
2024 9 29 51 22
2024 10 30 50 18
2024 11 28 50 21
2024 12 29 37 24
2025 1 30 42 23
2025 2 25 32 4
2025 3 8 26 3
2025 4 6 10 3
2025 5 6 11 4
2025 6 5 8 4
2025 7 4 5 3
2025 8 4 5 3
2025 9 6 7 4
2025 10 6 6 5

Trending Position


Year Month High Avg
2025 10 801 867
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2025 9 356 713
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2025 8 434 739
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2025 7 224 693
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2025 6 499 801
Year Month High Avg
2025 5 278 740
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2025 4 167 675
Year Month High Avg
2025 3 549 788
Year Month High Avg
2025 2 415 733
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2025 1 511 847
Year Month High Avg
2024 12 390 738
Year Month High Avg
2024 11 487 797
Year Month High Avg
2024 10 924 924
Year Month High Avg
2024 8 879 903

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Reviews

drystyx
4.0

This isn't Monty Python's best. In fact, it's very ordinary humor for the most part. The story of another man living a life parallel to Jesus could have been much funnier than this. However, people who love "dry humor" may appreciate this one more. It isn't the slapstick humor that we usually ge ... t from Monty Python that leaves a person nearly dying of laughter. It's very low key humor. The only memorable scene is the suicide squad that comes to save Brian, which lasts a few seconds. It's not totally boring, but it comes close. 4/10

Apr 03, 2023
FilipeManuelNeto
7.0

**It's an excellent comic film, but much inferior to “The Holy Grail”.** There is consensus on the impact that Monty Python had on humor, and on the way comedy is seen and performed. After a bombastic television series and a highly successful first film, they decided to make this film which, in e ... ssence, is a satire on the great biblical epics of the past. In this film, we follow Brian, a man who was born a short distance from Jesus and is constantly confused with him. I'm not conservative enough to not appreciate a religious joke if it's good, and there are a lot of good things in this film, starting with the incredible performances by the Pythons, in particular Graham Chapman and Terry Jones. The humor is what they have accustomed the public to, and the film does not disappoint the group's fans. Even so, I couldn't help but have the feeling that this film was quite inferior to “The Holy Grail”. On a technical level, I believe it is worth highlighting the costumes and sets, which are at the best level and set the story very well in time and space. And the final scene, where the crucified sing a well-known and very positivist melody, cannot be more surrealist than it is.

Oct 06, 2023