World Famous Comics: Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Starring: John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin Directed By: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Universal Studios Home Entertainment Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: August 23, 2005 Running Time: 108 minutes Theatrical Release Date: March 31, 1983
Product Description: IT FEATURES SMALL COMEDY SKETCHES DEALING WITH ALL OF THE STAGES AND TRIALS OF LIFE. EXPECT THE UN-EXPECTED. PLENTY OF RELIGIOUS, VULGAR, AND SEXUAL HUMOR MAY OFFEND SOME GROUPS. THERE ARE EVEN MUSICAL NUMBERS, BUT WITH THAT SAME UNMISTAKABLE BRAND OF PYTHON HUMOR.
Amazon.com essential video: Perhaps only the collective brilliant minds of the Monty Python film and television troupe are up to the task of tackling a subject as weighty as the Meaning of Life. Sure, Kierkegaard, Wittgenstein, and their ilk have tried their hands at this puzzler, but only Python has attempted to do so within the commercial motion picture medium. Happily for us all, Monty Python's the Meaning of Life truly explains everything one conceivably needs to know about the perplexities of human existence, from the mysteries of Catholic doctrine to the miracle of reproduction to why one should avoid the salmon mousse to the critical importance of the machine that goes ping! Using fish as a linking device (and what marvelous links those aquatic creatures make), The Meaning of Life is presented as a series of sketches: a musical production number about why seed is sacred; a look at dining in the afterlife; the quest for a missing fish (there they are again); a visit from Mr. Death; the cautionary tale of Mr. Creosote and his rather gluttonous appetite; an unflinching examination of the harsh realities of organ donation, and so on. Sadly, this was the last original Python film, but it's a beaut. You'll laugh. You'll cry (probably because you're laughing so hard). You may even learn something about the Meaning of Life. Or at least about how fish fit into the grand scheme of things. --Jim Emerson
Amazon.com: Perhaps only the collective brilliant minds of the Monty Python film and television troupe are up to the task of tackling a subject as weighty as the Meaning of Life. Sure, Kierkegaard, Wittgenstein, and their ilk have tried their hands at this puzzler, but only Python has attempted to do so within the commercial motion picture medium. Happily for us all, Monty Python's the Meaning of Life truly explains everything one conceivably needs to know about the perplexities of human existence, from the mysteries of Catholic doctrine to the miracle of reproduction to why one should avoid the salmon mousse to the critical importance of the machine that goes ping! Using fish as a linking device (and what marvelous links those aquatic creatures make), The Meaning of Life is presented as a series of sketches: a musical production number about why seed is sacred; a look at dining in the afterlife; the quest for a missing fish (there they are again); a visit from Mr. Death; the cautionary tale of Mr. Creosote and his rather gluttonous appetite; an unflinching examination of the harsh realities of organ donation, and so on. Sadly, this was the last original Python film, but it's a beaut. You'll laugh. You'll cry (probably because you're laughing so hard). You may even learn something about the Meaning of Life. Or at least about how fish fit into the grand scheme of things. --Jim Emerson
My favorite Monty Python movie I grew up watching this movie and it's made me the twisted person I am today. Even as a small child I adored this movie, I didn't understand what was happening but it was pretty damn funny. A sing along about the value of sperm and a closer look at what fish in a tank talk about! Brilliant. This movie is not for the religious or the uptight. And you people know who you are. Just walk away, you'll thank me later. But those of you who have a wicked imagination and that twisted sense of humor (like myself) I know you'll find something in this film that will make you laugh out loud.
Monty Python's 3rd best film badly needs restoration This film is a series of shorts that are big budget as far as Monty Python standards go. The first sketch about a group of old accountants staging an office mutiny and turning their building into a pirate ship pretty much falls flat, but the remaining sketches are hilarious.
Unfortunately, the quality of the print this was remastered from is in horrible shape. There are scratches and dirt throughout the film. Hopefully, they'll do a restoration on this sometime soon.
Gaston, the French Waiter An irony is that while the Catholic family is having tons of unprotected sex and hence hundreds of children, the Protestant couple across the street are permitted contraception but have only had sex twice. The second irony is pivotal: Gaston, the French waiter, leads the camera and us down the sidewalks to his birthplace, some nondescript cottage. I'm confabulating a bit when I quote: "You see that? That is the place where I was born. My mother picked me up and said, 'Gaston, the world is a _beautiful_ place. You must go out into it and try to make everyone around you happy.' That is why I am a waiter." Then Gaston (Eric Idle) casts his eyes down; looks up and says, "Well, it is not _much_ of a philosophy... F--k you!" He stalks off, throws the towel over his shoulder down, and repeats, "F--k off!" But, believe it or not, I think that is probably the closest to the meaning of life that the movie comes to. That is, not the irony that Gaston doesn't adhere to the principle, but the principle he proclaims. It's a simple utilitarian philosophy which it doesn't take an intellectual giant to comprehend. I didn't read the other reviews, so I hope I'm not repeating anyone else.
NICE!! A hard to find one (at least in southamerica) I only missed the spanish translation, was astonishing!
Funny - Funny - Funny Some of the scenes in "Monty Python's The Meaning of Life" are so funny that I lost my breath from side splitting laughter. I literally had tears running down my face, the first time I viewed this movie. It's NOT for children, because of occasional nudity and some coarse language. It is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen.
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