Did Monty Python's Life of Brain cause the same kind of outcry as "Golden Compass" in its time?

Question

Believers, did you see it? What did you think?

Brian: Look, you've got it all wrong! You don't NEED to follow ME, you don't NEED to follow ANYBODY! You've got to think for yourselves! You're ALL individuals!
The Crowd (in unison): Yes! We're all individuals!
Brian: You're all different!
The Crowd (in unison): Yes, we ARE all different!
Man in Crowd: I'm not...
The Crowd: Shhh!

Debra: No ill will intended. But did you see Life of Brian?

Answer 1

Probably but then it makes for interesting conversation here. I was bored with the questions so I reintroduced the topic. I truly was interested in others thoughts. Please forgive.
Peace Be With You,
Debra


Edit: Yes I saw it a while back. It was funny.

Answer 2

I'm not sure how much outcry it caused or didn't cause, cause it was a few years before my time. But I've seen it, and I enjoyed it for the most part. It is after all playing off the idea that the "real" Jesus was there and people didn't see him for who he was, they anointed their own messiah (Brian) instead.

The only thing that did bother me was the crucifixion scene. The song was cute. But the imagery was uncomfortably sacrilegious. I later saw an interview with the producer (director? I can't recall which) of the film saying he had those same sentiments when they were shooting that scene. It was just a little over the line.

Still nowhere near as good as The Holy Grail, though.

Peace to you.

Answer 3

I haven't heard too much of an outcry about the Golden Compass, but than North Dakota is a lot more tolerant on things than Georgia EVER thought about being! *LOL*
I did see the Life of Brian when I was 8 years old. In fact my mother insisted because there was such an outcry about it, and she felt that personally nothing was wrong with it and she wanted me to watch it and understand WHY some people had such a problem with it. Even at that age I could understand why there was an outcry, but I remember thinking that they actually made a few really good points also. Today it is still listed under my favorites of all time.
My husband and I have been having a go about it for the past few years though. Our two older kids are 13 and 14 now, and I would like for them to see it, especially since they are big Monty Python fans themselves, but he (being Roman Catholic) feels that it is not appropriate. I did state that in six months though I was going to rent it and if they chose to watch it than I won't stop them. They have seen far worse movies in their brief lives, I honestly doubt that Life of Brian will damage them spiritually. At which point he pointed at look at how I am, and although he dosen't mind it since that is just me as he's always known me he would rather not for his kids to have the same "issues." *LOL* I just told him I was going to stand by what I said, and he said that in six months "we'll see." So I settled for the Holy Grail, and the Princess Bride at Hollywood tonight, knowing they won't get the Meaning of Life.

Answer 4

It's too soon to judge because 'The Golden Compass' has hardly seen the light of day. I have a sinking feeling that there might be less outcry with The Golden Compass than there was with The Life of Brian. We have been conditioned by the Harry Potter series to just treat such books and films as fiction and escapism. But consider what the author of The Golden Compass has said. Mr Pullman has said of his novels: "I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief".

He told an Australian newspaper, "I've been surprised by how little criticism I've got. Harry Potter's been taking all the flak. I'm a great fan of J. K. Rowling, but the people mainly from America's Bible Belt who complain that Harry Potter promotes Satanism or witchcraft obviously haven't got enough in their lives. Meanwhile, I've been flying under the radar, saying things that are far more subversive than anything poor old Harry has said. My books are about killing God."

Elsewhere he has said: "...if there is a God and he is as the Christians describe him, then he deserves to be put down and rebelled against. As you look back over the history of the Christian church, it's a record of terrible infamy and cruelty and persecution and tyranny. How they have the [swear word] nerve to go on Thought for the Day and tell us all to be good when, given the slightest chance, they'd be hanging the rest of us and flogging the homosexuals and persecuting the witches."

The Monty Python wheeze was the result of a peculiarly British sense of the ridiculous, designed for adults. It was bad enough (with regard to blasphemy) but The Golden Compass will make it look like a vicar's tea-party by comparison.

Answer 5

Ha Ha! What's funny about this, is my father is actually going to do a Monty Python skit, and he just went to play practice! Wow. Well, anyways. Where that evil little bunny eats everybody! I love that skit!

Answer 6

Well it did get banned in Wales, I think it still is.

The Golden Compass hasn't been banned anywhere in the UK, so I wouls say the Monty Python crew had more trouble from it.

I have all of their films in my DVD collection, I loved the Life of Brian but the Holy Grail makes me laugh more.

God: Get off your knees I am sick of everone grovelling.

Answer 7

"He's not the Messiah! He's a very naughty boy!"
I don't think it caused anywhere near the outcry. I think that's partly because it wasn't directed to kids, and partly because it's a British film.

I saw it (I'm not a believer) and thought it was funny.

I just rented Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life" but haven't watched it yet.

Answer 8

I didn't realise 'the golden compass', or 'northern lights' as i like to call it, had caused any outcry... why, because it's a good story by a good author who just happens to be an atheist?
it's just a book/film.
it's not like there are big buildings where you can go and listen to some guy rant on about his interpretation of the book.

Answer 9

Absolutely. I saw a clip of Palin and Cleese and some god squad monkey going at it - there were protests and everything. But as Jesus is mentioned and is completely separate from all the action they got it all wrong - whereas with Pullman he really is saying some VERY strong things about christianity (and fair play to him - he's right).

Answer 10

much worse.

the life of brian was banned from general release in britain, but the board of film censors was frightened enough to leave a loophole by which individual towns could show it under a private licence.

when the life of brian first appeared i traveled forty miles to see it, and elbowed my way through a christian picket to get into the theatre.

two prominent british christians - malcolm muggeridge and mervyn stockwood, the bishop of southwark - challenged the film's distributors to a television debate to defend what was being openly called a 'blasphemous film'.

john cleese and michale palin took up the challenge.

when john cleese and michael palin debated muggeridge and stockwood on live tv the christian faith in britain took a drubbing from which it has never recovered. (christians still complain to the bbc when footage of the interview is aired).

christians are right to fear informed comment on their faith. education, enquiry, and freedom of speech have always been toxic to christianity.