Life of Brian, one of Monty Python's very best. A film so weirdly controversial that it was banned in a number of counties in Great Britain and even the traditionally easy-going Norway. This film was about a man named Brian, who by a strange twist of fate ended up spending his life being confused with the Messiah, who was born one barn over from him. Despite the fact that it is definitely a satire and none of the members of Monty Python were particularly religious, it's interesting to note that by and large the film never really mocks Jesus Christ. In early brainstorming sessions, Monty Python tried to figure out a way to make a funny movie about Jesus, but quickly came to the conclusion that there wasn't really a whole lot to make fun of about him. (Although they did have one fairly promising sketch where Jesus angrily chastens the group of carpenters who built his cross for their shoddy workmanship and tells them how to fix it.) The Pythons have always gone on record saying that this film was meant to shamelessly lampoon organized religion, and not the notion of God as perceived by Christians and Jews, which is a far more tolerant approach than those who sought to ban it.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
