Monty Python’s Life of Brian turns 40 this year. When it was first released in 1979 — later rising to cult status — it was met with roaring controversy. Following its debut, the satirical flick was banned in Ireland, Norway and parts of Britain. (Of course, in true Monty Python fashion, the filmmakers used this fact in their marketing campaign, with posters reading “So funny, it was banned in Norway.”)
Today (April 30), you can catch it for one night only at Cincinnati World Cinema’s Garfield Theatre at 7 p.m.
In short, Life of Brian follows the story of Brian Cohen, played by Graham Chapman, a young Jewish man who was born on the same day and next door to Jesus, which leads people to confuse him for the Messiah.
The notes of religious satire drew in controversy, with accusations of blasphemy from the church. Still, it became the fourth-highest grossing film in the United Kingdom in 1979. Currently, it sits on Rotten Tomatoes with a crisp 97% despite all the ire.
This political satire stars Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. For more info/tickets, visit cincyworldcinema.org.
This article appears in Apr 24 – May 1, 2019.
