Monty Python's Life of Brian
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Synopsis
The anarchic irreverence of British comedy legends Monty Python is at its most inspired in this brilliant send-up of the blockbuster biblical epic. In a stable in ancient Jerusalem, a child is born—a child who will grow up to be . . . Brian (Graham Chapman), an ordinary Judean who goes on to live an extraordinary life, becoming entangled in a plot to overthrow the Roman empire and being mistaken for the Messiah, among other unlikely events. Featuring ribald Roman puns, sharp political commentary, and an audacious crucifixion-themed musical number, the Pythons’ most ambitious film is a hilarious satire of dogma and blind faith in which nothing is sacred.
Picture 9/10
The Criterion Collection upgrades its DVD edition of Monty Python’s Life of Brian to 4K UHD, delivering the film on a triple-layer disc in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Presented with Dolby Vision, the 2160p/24hz ultra high-definition presentation is sourced from a new 4K restoration performed by Criterion and supervised by Terry Gilliam, taken from a scan of the 35mm original camera negative, with a 35mm interpositive filling in where needed. The release also includes a standard Blu-ray disc with all video features. Unlike other 4K releases from Criterion, no standard high-definition presentation of the film itself is included. [Update: A previous version of this review incorrectly credited the restoration to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. This has been corrected.]
The film has always looked a bit rough on home video, including Criterion’s previous DVD and Sony’s own Blu-ray, the latter being the better option up to this point. Part of this comes down to how the film was shot (it’s not a particularly pretty-looking movie) but even then Sony’s master has felt dated, leaning more digital than film-like, leaving plenty of room for improvement.
Thankfully, the new 4K image delivers those improvements in spades, with the film looking far cleaner and more film-like than before. The restoration work is especially impressive, cleaning up damage without negatively impacting the underlying image. There can be a slight haze at times, though this appears inherent to the photography, while the film’s heavier grain structure is rendered cleanly and handled beautifully by Criterion’s encode. There are a handful of dupier shots, primarily where optical effects have been applied, but the drop in quality is minimal.
HDR has also been applied effectively. The color palette is fairly limited, dominated by browns and earth tones, but it still looks pleasing, with occasional pops of red (Pilate’s robe), blue, and green. Black levels are strong, offering solid delineation in the shadows, while highlights come through nicely, such as the light shining on Michael Palin’s jealous prisoner chained to the wall in the darkened cell. Detail levels are consistently strong, with no clipping or blocky artifacts in brighter areas. The colors do lean a little greener, less magenta than the previous releases, but it looks like something obtained through development, not digitally pushed.
It’s still not the prettiest film, with its low-budget origins very much intact, but this is easily the best Life of Brian has ever looked on home video.
Monty Python's Life of Brian - Screen Captures
Audio 8/10
Criterion includes two audio tracks: the original 2-channel surround soundtrack and a 5.1 remix, both presented in DTS-HD MA. Both are perfectly effective and well mixed, with the 5.1 track offering a slightly more noticeable use of surround effects (the score, the space battle, etc.).
Of the two, though, I may prefer the 2-channel presentation, with dialogue coming through a bit sharper and with more range, whereas the 5.1 track sounds a little more filtered, or at least somewhat limited in comparison.
Extras 9/10
Criterion and Sony have both released special editions of the film over the years, with some material crossing over between them alongside a few exclusives. Criterion ports everything over from their previous DVD while also pulling in material that had been exclusive to Sony’s releases, making this the most comprehensive edition to date.
Things start off (again) with two audio commentaries featuring the Pythons: the first with Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, and Eric Idle, the second with John Cleese and Michael Palin. Both were originally recorded in 1997 for Criterion’s LaserDisc edition (not, as the supplements notes suggest, for the DVD), though they also appeared on Sony’s Blu-ray. The participants were recorded separately, with the tracks later edited together to loosely follow the film.
Even if many fans have already gone through them, they remain well worth revisiting. Though there are plenty of laughs, the tracks are more reflective than one might expect, with all five discussing the film’s development, from its early working title (Jesus Christ: Lust for Glory) to how they ultimately shaped its satire. They note early on that Jesus himself couldn’t really be mocked, so the focus shifted to those who interpret (or misinterpret) his teachings. They also share stories from production, casting choices, and, of course, the controversy surrounding the film’s release, with Cleese in particular spending time on that aspect. They even touch on the film’s legacy and also marvel at the restoration they were watching at the time, though this would have been in reference to the LaserDisc.
All around, they’re terrific tracks, with each member bringing their own energy, Gilliam, unsurprisingly, being the most manic.
The commentary material extends to the collection of five deleted scenes, also carried over from previous editions. In the optional commentaries that accompany these, the group explain why each sequence was ultimately cut, usually because it disrupted the rhythm or felt out of place. The most notable is Otto’s introduction, featuring the nationalist leader of the Judean People’s Front (not to be confused with the People’s Front of Judea), who only briefly appears in the finished film. While Gilliam feels they should have kept it and its warnings around how nationalist rhetoric can be found anywhere, Idle notes it was simply too much to introduce so late into the film, even if he agrees with Gilliam to an extent.
The deleted scenes themselves are amusing, though I agree they would have hurt the pacing, particularly the extended bit involving Pilate’s wife being chased through the halls. The scenes are presented with bookends indicating where they would have appeared and, impressively, the final film removes these moments seamlessly. Together the material runs 12 minutes total, though they remain sourced from video.
These are housed on the second dual-layer disc alongside the rest of the video features (again, no 1080p presentation of the film itself is included). This includes The Story of Brian, a 60-minute documentary produced for Sony’s 2007 Blu-ray. Featuring Jones, Palin, Cleese, Gilliam, Idle, and others, it largely covers the same ground as the commentaries, charting the film’s development through release. It does, however, place a bit more emphasis on the controversy surrounding the film and the challenges in securing financing, which ultimately led to George Harrison founding Handmade Films. Archival footage, including interviews and televised debates, is also included. It’s a solid companion piece and one of the better studio-produced retrospectives.
Criterion also brings back The Pythons, a 50-minute on-set documentary that appeared on their DVD (though curiously omitted from Sony’s Blu-ray despite appearing on a 2003 Canadian DVD release from them). It’s a welcome inclusion, offering a broader look at the group’s history up to that point, from their school days and television work to their first films, along with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. It appears to come from a newer master as well.
New to this edition is Michael Palin’s Super 8 footage, shot during the film’s development. Running about 13 minutes, it captures the group’s time in Barbados while writing (which, as shown here, doesn’t seem especially strenuous), along with on-set material, all narrated by Palin in his usual understated style. It’s a fun and worthwhile addition. A teaser trailer for it is also included.
Also carried over from Sony is an audio recording of the original screenplay read-through, presented over images of the script and storyboards. The script is fairly close to the finished film, though the final act differs more substantially, even including what sounds like a version of the Last Supper. Some gags are rearranged, and roles shift slightly, with the Pythons covering parts that would later go to other actors. It’s a fascinating listen, offering insight into how the material evolved, and hearing them work through voices and crack up at certain bits adds to the appeal. It runs about 110 minutes.
The disc closes with a handful of radio ads—three featuring the Pythons’ mothers and one featuring Palin’s dentist—along with the theatrical trailer. An animated gallery (running under two minutes) of production and publicity photos, carried over from Sony’s release, is also included.
The insert features a new essay by Bilge Ebiri, replacing George Perry’s earlier contribution to Criterion's DVD and LaserDisc editions. Ebiri examines the film’s longevity and the specifics of its satire, while also touching on elements like the anxieties it also brings up, even those from the Pythons' prep-school days, as reflected in Brian’s Latin lesson.
Though some new academic material would have been welcome, this ultimately stands as the most satisfying collection of supplements assembled for the film. Much of it will be familiar to longtime fans, but newcomers, especially, will find plenty to dig into.
Closing
By far the best release the film has received yet, featuring a wonderful selection of supplements covering its production and troubled release, along with a new 4K presentation that knocks all previous editions out of the park. An easy recommendation for fans.
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