DVD Corner

Monty Python’s Life Of Brian Criterion 4K UHD Review

The second best Monty Python movie.

Written by the Monty Python comedy troupe (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin), 1979’s “Monty Python’s Life Of Brian” is a spoof of Biblical films. The story revolves around a Judaean (Brian Cohen) who was born next to Jesus. He’s not a fan of the Roman occupation of Judea and joins the People’s Front Of Judea (a rebel movement against the Romans). His time in the movement doesn’t exactly go smoothly as he is taken prisoner, escapes, becomes mistaken as a messiah, and, well, the rest would be spoiling the iconic ending. 

Deemed to be controversial in religious circles at the time of its release, the Terry Jones directed “Monty Python’s Life Of Brian” has gone on to become a cult film much like anything Monty Python. The legendary British comedy troupe is in peak form here as they satirize religion, politics, and even James Bond with the hilarious opening credit sequence. While perhaps blasphemous to some, the movie (and the troupe) never take anything seriously. Yes, there may be thought provoking messages within the story, but at its heart it’s an absurdist and endlessly quotable comedy about cruel violence, aliens (in the film’s weirdest sequence), false messiahs, and, as the classic song suggests, always looking on the bright side of life.

In typical Python fashion, the six cast members play NUMEROUS roles in the film. Every member has at least one hilarious character here, but it’s Michael Palin who quietly steals the movie as Ex-leper and Pontius Pilate in particular. Sue-Jones Davies is the one non-Python cast member with a main role here as Judith (a member of the People’s Front Of Judea that falls for Brian). 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 2160p In Dolby Vision HDR. How does it look? It’s been a long wait, but this 4K digital restoration delivers. The print offers up cleaner image quality, sharper colors, and it maintains the print grain. 

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA Stereo and 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How do they sound? Both the original 2.0 track and the alternate 5.1 track are worthy of praise here. Purists may prefer the 2.0 track, but the 5.1 has a little more depth.

Extras (On The Blu-ray unless listed):
* 2 1997 commentaries. One by Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and Terry Jones and the other by John Cleese and Michael Palin. On the 4K and Blu-ray
* Trailer and 4 radio ads
* Blu-ray copy
* A booklet featuring credits, an essay by Bilge Ebiri and restoration notes.
* Animated stills gallery
* 5 deleted scenes with optional commentary by Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Eric Idle.
* Michael Palin’s narrated Super 8 film footage from Barbados and Tunisia on set. There’s a teaser and the full film.
* “The Pythons”- A humorous 50 minute 1979 documentary filmed on set in Tunisia.
* An audio recording of a read-through of a draft of the screenplay complete with illustrated storyboards and script pages.
* “The Story Of Brian”- A 2007 documentary about the making of “Life Of Brian” and its controversies.

April 13, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | 70's Movie, Comedy, Criterion Collection, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Monty Python, Monty Python's Life Of Brian Criterion 4K UHD Review, satire, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones