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126 of 131 found the following review helpful:
 Double-dip is warranted Jan 30, 2008
By Dan Plankton
I suspect most fans of this film and Monty Python in general already own a copy on DVD. The bonus features in this new double-disc edition definitely make it worth the repeat buy. Most of the features from the Criterion edition (two commentary tracks, five deleted scenes, radio ads) are here. (The nice 1979 BBC documentary "The Pythons" is the only feature from the Criterion version missing from this new set.)
The new hour-long documentary included with this edition is worth the purchase alone. All five surviving Pythons are interviewed and offer a lot of insight into the film, from its conception, to the controversy surrounding its opening (in the US and in the UK), to its lasting standing as the Pythons' greatest work. (Yes, I know, many fans like "Grail" even more.) I'm always pleased to see up-to-date interviews with the team, now all in their sixties.
The other significant feature is an audio reading of the original script, recorded with all six members several months before filming began. This is much more enjoyable and watchable than you might expect, illustrated onscreen with storyboard drawings and script pages. The reading is 20 minutes longer than the film, and you hear some bits that never made it past this stage.
And the film itself, of course, is a treasure. A hysterically funny, yet thought-provoking satire whose target is group-think in general, and not merely religion or superstition.
96 of 101 found the following review helpful:
Blessed are the Cheesemakers!!!! Feb 01, 2008
By Kevin Pepper
"JedeyeNite"
This is the 4th iteration of this movie that I have owned. My first was on VHS, then came the Criterion LaserDisc, which was followed by the Criterion DVD edition. I really wasn't expecting much of an improvement over the Criterion DVD since this is an older movie. Regardless of what version you own, if you are a Python fan, you are in for a HUGE surprise with this latest edition on Blu-ray. The picture is near perfection with only a couple of scenes where I noticed the tiniest bit of film grain. Perhaps the biggest surprise for me was the remastered sound elements. After trying the different sound choices, I found the PCM soundtrack to be the best. I really wasn't expecting the sound to be that great for this movie, but BOY was I surprised. Sony has truly outdone themselves with this latest high def remastering of Life of Brian. This is the absolute best I have ever seen or heard of this zany film. There are details in the picture that I have NEVER seend before, and I have seen this movie MANY MANY times. If I had to complain about anything, it would be that the special features were not in HD, but that is not that big a deal since everything else about this title is just spot on.
There are many who would say this movie is a sacrilege. As a Christian, I would disagree with such a statement. I have heard some say that this movie is making light of Jesus' ministry, and especially his crucifixion. They are missing the whole point. I think this movie illustrates how some people will blindly follow religious leaders, or will just go with the crowd without really questioning what they're doing, or why they're doing it. The scene where Brian is mistaken for Jesus and chased by the crowd is a good example. When his sandal falls off, some take it as a sign that they should remove their own sandal, while some choose to follow the Holy Gourd of Jerusalem. How can anyone NOT see the humor in that??? Also, what if there really were some in the far back of the crowd at the Sermon on the Mount who couldn't quite make out what was being said??? I have seen this movie countless times, and at no point is Jesus ever actually made fun of. Even the crucifixion scene is obviously not a slight on Jesus' own crucifixion. He is not the only person to ever be crucified, since there were countless others who suffered this horrible form of death. The crucifixion scene obviously is not about Jesus' crucifixion since there are much more than three men being crucified. Of course, I'm sure there are those who would disagree with me. If you do find this movie to be offensive, then simply don't watch it. After all, this is still a free country. To those of you who have longed for a pristine version of this classic Python piece, you MUST get this one on Blu-ray. I will be waiting patiently for Sony to deliver a comparable version of the Holy Grail on Blu-ray soon.
25 of 26 found the following review helpful:
Monty Python's Life of Brian--Criterion Edition May 15, 2000
By Shawn M. Roeder
You have to be a genius to be this silly. Monty Python has done a fantastic amount of research into Jewish history and the birth of Christianity to make a total mockery of the hypocrisy found in people who claim to practice these religions. As a deeply spiritual man, I found this film completely unoffensive. This film doesn't poke fun at those who are a part of their religion because of an informed, knowledgeable decision, but rather at those who believe what they believe despite all evidence to the contrary and can't offer any valid explanation for it. Most people have probably been embarassed by people of that sort even in there own religion. Anybody who thinks that Monty Python's sense of humor is stupid isn't smart enough to understand the vast amount of research they must have done to turn verifiable history into such a ridiculous commentary on unchanging human behaviour. From the political issue made out of Stan's irrational desire to be a woman so he could have babys (You haven't got a womb. Where's the fetus going to gestate? You gonna put it in a box?) to the embarrasing meeting where the PFJ finds out that maybe the Romans aren't so bad (Okay, they did provide the roads, the aqueduct, public sanitation, education, the wine, etc.) to Pontius Pilate's speech impedement (Who do you want weleased? And no more Wudolph the Wed-nosed Weindeer.) followed by his best friend's linguistic problems (Thampthon of Thithily the Thaduthee thtrangler wanted for theveral theditious crimeth) to the finale of optomistics on crosses singing "Always look on the bright side of life." If you don't get this epic joke and at least appreciate some of what they deleted to keep the plot tight (DVD--Criterion Edition only) I feel sorry for you. But I'm not your judge. Review this film for yourself.
54 of 63 found the following review helpful:
Blessed are the Cheesemakers Sep 30, 2000
By James Hiller
...and blessed are the Pythons, the crackerjack British comedy troupe creating one of the most funniest movies I have seen in a long time. The Life of Brian has long been one of my most favorite comedies, and no matter how many times I watch it, I cannot help but break out into raucous laughter at the insanity of this film. Truly blasphemous, truly hilarous, John Cleese and his troupe of merry men leave no stone unturned poking fun at anything and everything religious. From brainless mobs finding shoes as signs from God, to a lisping Roman emperor, to the classic cruxifiction song, this movie is not for the religious light-hearted. Even better, this Criterion Collection version has so many extras, the true fan will be preoccupied for many hours enjoying it all. Especially wonderful were the deleted scenes and the running commentary by members of the troupe. Also, I appreciated the subtitles. For once I was able to get more of the jokes due to the British accents hard to understand with this untrained ear. If all DVD's were this rich, I'd be a happy camper. You are getting your money's worth for the price! Rent or buy "Life of Brian - Criterion Collection" immediately!!
18 of 19 found the following review helpful:
A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE...�It�s dangerous out there...� Aug 18, 2000
By Paul MacKinnon
The Life of Brian was, and continues to be, as very controversial picture. At the time of its release, it was met with incredible resistance from Jewish and Christian religious groups. The Monty Python troupe maintained that the film was not "blasphemous", for it does not make fun of Christ himself (in the commentaries, several Pythons contend that Christ's teachings were all in all very sensible, and therefore impossible to lampoon), but is "heretical", as it mocks his followers and organized churches in general. Religion has, after all, led to centuries of bloodshed in the name of God. There's no doubt that the film IS offensive to different groups, as it also lampoons leftist political groups, speech impediments, Roman customs, etc, as well as churches. As a Christian myself, I admit to two things (i) There are things that I find offensive and uncomfortable in this film, and (ii) it is brilliantly funny. It should not be strange to discover that many Christians are fans of this film - after all, who better to appreciate and understand the Biblical references and the historical setting than ones who have studied it? Ironically the film's most controversial segment, where Brian's follows start proclaiming him as Messiah and follow him, is also the weakest, comedically, after a very funny first half. Unlike, the Holy Grail, the Life of Brian is not able to sustain the momentum from beginning to end. This is in fact characteristic of the Pythons, as even most of their half-hour shows range from brilliant to rambling incoherency and repetition. However, it is the moments of brilliance in Life of Brian (the People's Front of Judea, Brian's birth, the Centurion and Pontius Pilate, and the wonderful set dressing) that make it a comedy classic. The DVD from Criterion is absolutely first-rate. This disc is worth the price they charge, because it takes full advantage of the medium. The lost scenes are a gem, as they have not been seen for 20 years - though it's easy to see why most of them were left on the cutting room floor. The two audio commentaries are also excellent. The Pythons pull no punches - particularly when talking about each other. The documentary, filmed during the making of the film, is also quite good. All in all, there are more than 5 solid hours of entertainment on the DVD. The print itself is beautiful, and you'll have a new appreciation of the production values that went into it's making. All in all, I will maintain my position that Holy Grail is a better film, but when it comes to DVD releases, until Criterion produces a Holy Grail version, this DVD is the one to own (or you can be like me and get both).
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