Joel Morris on Monty Python's Life Of Brian (1979)

Goon Pod

Writer and host of Comfort Blanket podcast Joel Morris joins Tyler this week to talk about Monty Python's Life Of Brian, released in 1979 to howls of impotent rage from those who refused to accept it for what it was but considered by everyone else as just a really funny film.

In some ways a satire on the nature of organised groups, be they politically or religiously motivated, the film centres around the character of Brian (Graham Chapman) in 33AD Judea, who although briefly seized by ideological zeal really just wants a quiet life and a girlfriend.

With every member of the Python team at the top of their game and a memorable cameo by Spike Milligan (who just happened to be holidaying in Tunisia when filming was taking place and agreed to stick on a robe for a morning) it has lost little of its impact despite being in its fifth decade.

As you'd expect from such a percipient observer of comedy (his book Be Funny Or Die: How Comedy Works And Why It Matters is published next year), Joel had a lot to say about Life of Brian, which he once described as 'The holy grail of Python films'.

Be Funny Or Die details: https://unbound.com/books/comedy-basic