The Gospel According To Monty Python

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MONTY PYTHON Who was the real Brian? Who was the real Jesus? Did the Romans build the Jerusalem Aqueduct? Were the Magi really wise? And were the Peoples Front of Judea, splitters? All the crucial issues this book dares to confront. 'Life of Brian' editor Julian Doyle, not only reveals some telling information about the filming process but also compares each and every hysterical scene of the film with the actual Biblical events and comes to some extraordinary conclusions, including the well held belief that 'Life of Brian' is the most accurate Biblical film ever made. A must not only for Python fans but film students wishing to understand the process of comedy editing.

Monty Python's Life of Brian film is known for its brilliant satirical humour. Less well known is that the film contains references to what was, at the time of its release, cutting edge biblical scholarship and Life of Jesus research. This research, founded on the acceptance of the Historical Jesus as a Jew who needs to be understood within the context of his time, is implicitly referenced through the setting of the Brian character within a tumultuous social and political background. This collection is a compilation of essays from foremost scholars of the historical Jesus and the first century Judaea, and includes contributions from George Brooke, Richard Burridge, Paula Fredriksen, Steve Mason, Adele Reinhartz, Bart Ehrman, Amy-Jill Levine, James Crossley, Philip Davies, Joan Taylor, Bill Telford, Helen Bond, Guy Stiebel, David Tollerton, David Shepherd and Katie Turner. The collection opens up the Life of Brian to renewed investigation and, in so doing, uses the film to reflect on the historical Jesus and his times, revitalising the discussion of history and Life of Jesus research. The volume also features a Preface from Terry Jones, who not only directed the film, but also played Brian's mum.

As a follow-up to their first true feature film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the comic troupe next decided to tackle a “shadow” version of the Christ story. Shot in the Middle East and produced during Margaret Thatcher’s ascendant years, the film satirized—among other matters—authoritarianism and religious zealotry. Upon its release, Monty Python’s Life of Brian was both a critical and commercial success, and has been since hailed as one of the greatest comedies of all time. But the film also faced backlash from religious groups for its blasphemy, perceived or otherwise. In A Book about the Film Monty Python's Life of Brian: All of the References from Assyrians to Zeffirelli, Darl Larsen identifies and examines the plethora of cultural, historical, and topical allusions in the film. In this resource, Larsen delineates virtually every allusion and reference that appears in the film—from first-century Jerusalem through 1970s Great Britain. Organized chronologically by scene, the entries in this cultural history cover literary and metaphoric allusions, symbolisms, names, peoples, and places, as well as the many social, cultural, and historical elements that populate this film. By closely examining each scene, this book explores the Pythons’ comparisons of the Roman and British Empires and of Pilate and Margaret Thatcher. In addition, Larsen helps to situate Life of Brian in the “Jesus” re-examination of the postwar period, while also taking a close look at the terror groups of first-century Judea and the modern world. A Book about the Film Monty Python's Life of Brian will appeal to scholars of history, film, British culture, and pop culture, as well as to the many fans of this iconic group.

A chronological listing of the creative output and other antics of the members of the British comedy group Monty Python, both as a group and individually. Coverage spans between 1969 (the year Monty Python's Flying Circus debuted) and 2012. Entries include television programs, films, stage shows, books, records and interviews. Back matter features an appendix of John Cleese's hilarious business-training films; an index of Monty Python's sketches and songs; an index of Eric Idle's sketches and songs; as well as a general index and selected bibliography.

Best known, of course, for his appearances in the recent AA commercials, it will no doubt come as a surprise to many that John Cleese was previously involved in comedy within a little-known troupe of comedians known as Monty Python, and also wrote and starred in a completely unknown sitcom named Fawlty Towers. Having now reached the dizzy heights of television advertising, Cleese has become a face recognisable across the world and a much-quoted, often controversial figure within the media. This book brings together some of the funniest and most interesting quotes from The Comic Messiah himself.

Monty Python editor recounts the crucifixion of the famous comedy team - which exposed amazing contradictions in the actual Biblical story - and questions whether Jesus actually suffered the same fate.

Best known, of course, for his appearances in the recent AA commercials, it will no doubt come as a surprise to many that John Cleese was previously involved in comedy within a little-known troupe of comedians known as Monty Python, and also wrote and starred in a completely unknown sitcom named Fawlty Towers. Having now reached the dizzy heights of television advertising, Cleese has become a face recognisable across the world and a much-quoted, often controversial figure within the media. This book brings together some of the funniest and most interesting quotes from The Comic Messiah himself.

'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life'So sang the Pythons at the end of their film 'Monty Python's Life of Brian'. But when the group crucified themselves in the desert of Tunisia to sing their famous song, they exposed glaring errors in the Gospels that this book analyses and then comes to some extraordinary conclusions that nobody could expect - especially the Spanish Inquisition.No Spam, Spam, Spam Spam; just hard facts.