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in 1979 a comedy feature film quickly
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became one of the most controversial
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pieces of cinema in history no film had
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ever before satirized christianity so
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blatantly see October brought you up and
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it caused outrage you so disgusted I
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guess a admit we all you've done is to
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make a lot of people across seeing a
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music a musical song a group of rabbis
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and priests held demonstrations over
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this past weekend and they were
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demonstrating against a movie called the
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life of grind protesters around the
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world marched against the life of Brian
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it was dropped by finances fanned by
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councils states even entire countries
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but it still managed to get shown and
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still managed to offend seemingly every
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world religion these people are
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operating at a very very low level of
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mental health they are incapable of
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understanding your teaching what
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happened to sticks and stones can break
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my bones but words can never hurt me
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this is the story of one of the greatest
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films and one of the greatest cultural
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battles of modern times
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during the 1970s Monty Python's Flying
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Circus became one of the most
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influential comedy programs Britain has
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ever produced one of the crossbeams has
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gone out of skill on the treadle I don't
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know mr. wen was just told me to come in
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here and save the trouble of the mill
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that's all I didn't expect a kind of
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Spanish Inquisition nobody expects the
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Spanish Inquisition our chief weapon
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this surprise surprise and fear fears
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one or two weapons our fear and surprise
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and ruthless efficiency are three
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weapons armed and surprised and ruthless
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efficiency have an almost fanatical
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devotion to the Pope art for the Python
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team were Comedy superstars they'd made
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three series of the TV show and become
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cult stars in the UK and us the release
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of their first feature film Monty Python
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and the Holy Grail propelled them to
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even greater international success we've
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been doing up our publicity for Grail it
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sort of brought us back together again
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and I think we must have felt well the
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Grails going down well maybe she'd do
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another movie the moment was really in
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Amsterdam one of a drunken pub crawl one
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evening and that was Eric when he said
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you know wouldn't be great
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let's do Jesus Christ lust for glory and
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yeah I fell off the chair because that
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was so outrageous and wonderful and
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spot-on my reaction to the idea of doing
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a Bible story was slightly disappointing
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because I always thought the costumes
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was a boring remember going to church of
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england school every time we had to do a
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paint a biblical scene you know those
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everybody just some long robes it's not
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interesting born in the 1940s all of the
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Pythons had received some form of
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religious education but Christianity was
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either rejected or distrusted by each
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there was a lot of religion thrown at us
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but very little that was explained
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certainly satisfactorily
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I'd been confirmed and I'd sat around
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for some weeks expecting some golden
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globe descend on me when it didn't I
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became fairly atheistic or humanistic I
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was in many ways a little zealot I had
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read the Bible least twice by the time I
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was about sixteen so I knew my stuff I
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can do it tends to sexist Leviticus
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numbers Deuteronomy Joshua judges Ruth
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verses examples I can do all those
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things and then I decided I'd had enough
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so all right I sort of walked away from
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religion around that time and thought
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education is better we were lucky
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because we shared the same attitudes to
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what religion wasn't I don't think you
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could have added up the Pythons degree
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on what it was but certainly we agreed
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on what it wasn't and that was lucky the
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Pythons began work on Jesus Christ lust
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for glory the first task was to research
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their subject thoroughly
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I remember going with Terry and the
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others to see screenings of other
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biblical epics like Quo Vadis and
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Solomon sheep and all that they were
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pretty dreadful after about watching 3
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or 4 that we said you realize they would
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had one thing in common and that was
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that everybody in the film spoke in this
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very special way because they were aware
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that they were told living at a time
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when something very wonderful happening
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blessed are those of gentle spirit they
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shall have the earth for their
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possession I've been I remember saying
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to the others that you know what people
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will find our film shocking because
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it'll be the first biblical film in
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which people speak in normal voice how
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do you think now you telling me that's
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not worth 20 shekels no look at it feel
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equality that's not in your goat all
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right I'll give you 19 then no no no
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come on do it properly well haggle
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properly this isn't worth 19 you just
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said it was worth 20 Wow dear oh dear
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come on haggle all right I'll give you
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ten that's more like it
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ten are you trying to insult me me with
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a poor dying grandmother Jay
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biblical epics viewed and the Gospels
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reread led all to realize that
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artistically speaking Jesus was not the
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answer what began as Jesus Christ
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lustful glory actually gradually moved
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away from from that idea simply because
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they found Jesus Christ wasn't funny you
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know you've got Christ saying very good
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things and saying the right things and
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as a wonderful figure though that's not
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where the fun lies really once you start
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thinking about it it can and start just
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thinking of it in everyday terms you see
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you accept that this happened but when
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Mary said to Joseph you am pregnant but
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it's okay I wasn't with anyone because
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the Holy Spirit comes down you know and
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then Joseph goes off to the pub and says
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to his friend you know I was a bit
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worried that my wife was it's all right
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because she see she was impregnated by
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the Holy Ghost and all his friends like
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Oh fine well that's a relief you see
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what I mean the moment you start looking
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stuff there's a funny side to it here
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that they said all the Greek big Greek
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well apparently he's going to inherit
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the earth did anyone catch his name the
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meek blessed are for me oh that's nice
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silly I'm glad they getting something
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cuz they had elevate I'm the comedy it
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seemed pretty clear
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was in the interpretation of the gospel
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the angle that we all agreed on in the
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end was that you'd look at the
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historical situation in Judea at that
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time it was a time when the sub
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millennium was being sort of thought
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about again and people were expecting
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God to come down clean up the world and
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all that so people are looking for
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messiahs and so the idea of someone
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being chosen as the Messiah when all he
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is is somebody happens to be around at
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the same time in the same place seem to
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unlock a way of doing this
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there's any moment when we thought well
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we don't do that because it might be
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blasphemous it was just really a
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question of being guided where the
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comedy was I was always convinced there
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was no where you couldn't go or you
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shouldn't go more to the point I think
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that's there are no sacred cows and if
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they are there if they're really sacred
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then let's see how much we can puncture
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them and see if they still float they
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had the angle but in setting out to
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lampoon the blindly faithful the Pythons
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had chosen a dangerous path a path
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towards possible prosecution for
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blasphemy and perhaps even more
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disturbingly towards a head-to-head with
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the self-proclaimed guardian of
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Christian morality Mary Whitehouse last
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Thursday evening we sat as a family and
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we saw a program that started at 6:35
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and it was the dirtiest program that I
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have seen for a very long time
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in 1977 as the Pythons began writing
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what was now called Life of Brian events
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took an ominous turn when for the first
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time in 50 years a prosecution was
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brought for blasphemy gay news published
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a poem called the love that dares to
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speak its name it's a kind of meditation
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by a Centurion at the crucifixion of
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Christ and he meditates on the wounds of
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Christ and he rather gets off on these
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wounds mrs. Mary Whitehouse took
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objection to this particular poem and
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therefore she launched a private
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prosecution for blasphemous libel
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against the publishers of Gainey's and
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the editor of gay news Dennis Lemon
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mrs. White House got after it and if she
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found anything which caused her
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particular pain or distress she
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immediately bought it and read it and
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started starting a law case she felt
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inside you know that this is Christ
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being crucified again and that we really
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cannot stay silent about this this is
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what has and her her adherents sprayed
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in the passages of the Old Bailey gay
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news was convicted Dennis Lemon was
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sentenced to nine months in prison
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18 months suspended fined 500 pounds and
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gay news was fined a thousand pounds so
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by the time the gay news trial happened
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there was a kind of new definition which
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actually the judge gave you said that
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the particular offense of bas Murray was
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irreverence scre ility profanity
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vilification or lie census abuse of the
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Christian religion of course irreverence
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guerrilla T profanity vilification and
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licensures abuse sums up Monty Python
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humor beautifully the Pythons decamped
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to Barbados for two weeks
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to hone the script without interruptions
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or family pressures Terry and ice will
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slightly reluctantly agreed thinkI well
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what we get at Barbados we're just gonna
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want to
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to ski and swear money hangout who's
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gonna want to write it well I think
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Barbados is really one of the smartest
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things we did because it's the first
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time we actually all went away at one
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time to one place and just locked
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ourselves off and we laughed and had a
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wonderful time and I think it was a good
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way of working because these ideas were
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thrown around really fast I think was in
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those last two weeks when we were all
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together that really the themes of the
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film came out people had written very
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good stuff I mean things like the
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writing on the wall at like of the Latin
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I remember John and Graham coming up
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with that this is terrific it's just
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what we want no more knees a on Thomas
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people call Romani's they go house it's
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as rebels go home no it doesn't what's
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lacking for Roman come on Romanus goes
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like Anna's father Perrault manases
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Annie Romani the script was finished the
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next big task was to find funding for
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the film between two and three million
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pounds it was always going to be a
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struggle to get backing for such a
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controversial film but undeterred they
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sent the script to EMI asset when sunny
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Sunday afternoon oh my god and I've
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never read a funnier script in my life
272
00:14:00,649 --> 00:14:05,329
before or since it was just a joy I told
273
00:14:04,070 --> 00:14:07,550
Jon Gosselin that we would like to make
274
00:14:05,330 --> 00:14:12,230
the picture we shook hands
275
00:14:07,549 --> 00:14:15,259
he owned a bottle of champagne and I was
276
00:14:12,230 --> 00:14:17,720
kind of taken aback in a way because in
277
00:14:15,259 --> 00:14:21,049
negotiations with her finance was never
278
00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:22,610
supposed to be that easy with EMI on
279
00:14:21,049 --> 00:14:25,750
board the team looked for a place to
280
00:14:22,610 --> 00:14:27,830
film and they soon settled on Tunisia
281
00:14:25,750 --> 00:14:30,230
you have to remember that Tunisia
282
00:14:27,830 --> 00:14:32,060
monastere was all set up the biblical
283
00:14:30,230 --> 00:14:34,759
epics that's where they made I think it
284
00:14:32,059 --> 00:14:36,529
was new grades Jesus Christ with with
285
00:14:34,759 --> 00:14:37,850
with Robert Powell in and all that so
286
00:14:36,529 --> 00:14:40,220
they had the devils they had the
287
00:14:37,850 --> 00:14:41,990
Tabernacles all these Arab extras are
288
00:14:40,220 --> 00:14:45,240
quite used to coming along and big Jews
289
00:14:41,990 --> 00:14:47,830
for a bit out sort of dead
290
00:14:45,240 --> 00:14:50,950
pre-production began costumes were made
291
00:14:47,830 --> 00:14:53,860
sets began to be built all that was left
292
00:14:50,950 --> 00:14:55,660
now was to decide on the casting it was
293
00:14:53,860 --> 00:14:57,960
becoming clear that the biggest decision
294
00:14:55,659 --> 00:15:00,610
would be who was going to play Brian
295
00:14:57,960 --> 00:15:02,320
Graham Chapman was the leading contender
296
00:15:00,610 --> 00:15:04,750
but his notorious heavy drinking was
297
00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:06,430
causing concern and John in particular
298
00:15:04,750 --> 00:15:08,320
was worried about whether he could cope
299
00:15:06,429 --> 00:15:11,229
John had written with Graham during the
300
00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:13,390
days when Graham drank a lot and was
301
00:15:11,230 --> 00:15:15,370
kind of absent physically or mentally
302
00:15:13,389 --> 00:15:17,649
for a lot of the time so John was having
303
00:15:15,370 --> 00:15:21,100
duels writing and I think John saw a
304
00:15:17,649 --> 00:15:23,319
possible danger that Graham may blow
305
00:15:21,100 --> 00:15:25,840
there the whole film you know because
306
00:15:23,320 --> 00:15:29,440
the central character Graham was getting
307
00:15:25,840 --> 00:15:32,320
through two bottles of gin a day that
308
00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:36,130
those with large ones you get behind bar
309
00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:39,910
pretty colossal he never used the word
310
00:15:36,129 --> 00:15:42,730
alcoholic but he knew damn well that he
311
00:15:39,909 --> 00:15:43,509
had to clean his act up as I understand
312
00:15:42,730 --> 00:15:45,340
it anyway
313
00:15:43,509 --> 00:15:48,279
Graham already knew he would be playing
314
00:15:45,340 --> 00:15:52,240
Brian and had really stopped drinking
315
00:15:48,279 --> 00:15:55,360
with that in mind but John Cleese wanted
316
00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:57,430
to be Brian - I wanted to be Brian for
317
00:15:55,360 --> 00:16:00,039
one simple reason which was that I'd
318
00:15:57,429 --> 00:16:01,509
never played a role that went all the
319
00:16:00,039 --> 00:16:04,629
way through the movie I'm afraid the
320
00:16:01,509 --> 00:16:06,850
rest of us were against it because okay
321
00:16:04,629 --> 00:16:11,019
I couldn't see Jones Brian quite
322
00:16:06,850 --> 00:16:12,490
honestly um and and B we we thought
323
00:16:11,019 --> 00:16:15,929
there was all these other paths that we
324
00:16:12,490 --> 00:16:19,840
wanted John to do come on no no no one
325
00:16:15,929 --> 00:16:24,039
is to stone anyone until I blow this
326
00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:26,019
whistle Joanna said her father what slow
327
00:16:24,039 --> 00:16:30,579
him before Ian's oh yes swim to the
328
00:16:26,019 --> 00:16:33,850
four-piece they were right because they
329
00:16:30,580 --> 00:16:35,860
said no no you will be funnier and the
330
00:16:33,850 --> 00:16:38,470
film will be funnier if you play the
331
00:16:35,860 --> 00:16:40,960
Centurion and reg and I was disappointed
332
00:16:38,470 --> 00:16:43,779
just because I wanted the experience but
333
00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:45,639
after very very soon I realized they
334
00:16:43,779 --> 00:16:49,269
were right and also Graham who was a
335
00:16:45,639 --> 00:16:51,399
tremendously good actor I think probably
336
00:16:49,269 --> 00:16:52,889
potentially almost the best actor of all
337
00:16:51,399 --> 00:16:56,350
of us
338
00:16:52,889 --> 00:16:58,870
February 1978 and everything was now in
339
00:16:56,350 --> 00:17:00,970
position to start filming all were ready
340
00:16:58,870 --> 00:17:04,179
to leave for Tunisia in several days and
341
00:17:00,970 --> 00:17:08,199
then the boss of EMI Bernhard del font
342
00:17:04,179 --> 00:17:09,780
read the script a suddenly gather very
343
00:17:08,199 --> 00:17:12,910
very angry
344
00:17:09,779 --> 00:17:14,789
telex in those days from Bernard L font
345
00:17:12,910 --> 00:17:16,269
who was chairman of the EMI
346
00:17:14,789 --> 00:17:17,828
entertainment section
347
00:17:16,269 --> 00:17:19,179
he said I'd looked rather quickly
348
00:17:17,828 --> 00:17:20,769
through the script of the new Marty
349
00:17:19,179 --> 00:17:22,689
Python Thurman amazed to find that it's
350
00:17:20,769 --> 00:17:25,869
not the zany comedy usually associated
351
00:17:22,689 --> 00:17:27,880
with his firms his films but his obscene
352
00:17:25,869 --> 00:17:29,859
and sacrilegious and was certainly not
353
00:17:27,880 --> 00:17:32,260
be in the interest of VMAs image to make
354
00:17:29,859 --> 00:17:34,418
this sort of film every few words there
355
00:17:32,259 --> 00:17:35,980
are outrageous swear words which is not
356
00:17:34,419 --> 00:17:38,320
in keeping with Monty Python's image
357
00:17:35,980 --> 00:17:40,419
this is very distressing to me and is a
358
00:17:38,319 --> 00:17:41,589
very serious situation I thought it's
359
00:17:40,419 --> 00:17:43,660
clearly ridiculous he doesn't know
360
00:17:41,589 --> 00:17:45,220
anything about films he shouldn't be
361
00:17:43,660 --> 00:17:48,040
making these judgments I called him up
362
00:17:45,220 --> 00:17:49,269
and spoke to him said then you've got
363
00:17:48,039 --> 00:17:51,759
the wrong end of the stick I can assure
364
00:17:49,269 --> 00:17:53,319
you as a Catholic not at normally a
365
00:17:51,759 --> 00:17:56,679
qualification I use in the film industry
366
00:17:53,319 --> 00:17:58,960
that this is not blasphemous it really
367
00:17:56,679 --> 00:18:00,910
isn't and I didn't think we should worry
368
00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:03,370
about that and he had obviously made up
369
00:18:00,910 --> 00:18:05,169
his mind that it was and he offered a
370
00:18:03,369 --> 00:18:07,000
lot of splattering on whether I argue
371
00:18:05,169 --> 00:18:10,450
with him argue with him and eventually
372
00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:12,279
lost his temper and he used the immortal
373
00:18:10,450 --> 00:18:14,410
words I'm not going to have people
374
00:18:12,279 --> 00:18:17,829
saying I'm making fun of fucking Jesus
375
00:18:14,410 --> 00:18:21,460
Christ it was a mortal blow my knee am I
376
00:18:17,829 --> 00:18:23,319
pulled out because you know we had no
377
00:18:21,460 --> 00:18:24,910
other option at the time I actually
378
00:18:23,319 --> 00:18:28,240
thought the thing wasn't going to happen
379
00:18:24,910 --> 00:18:29,950
I remember I accepted a role working
380
00:18:28,240 --> 00:18:33,370
with Peter Sellers in Vienna doing a
381
00:18:29,950 --> 00:18:35,650
remake prisoner of Zenda a race to find
382
00:18:33,369 --> 00:18:37,329
finance for the film ensued with Eric
383
00:18:35,650 --> 00:18:40,570
Idle and producer John Goldstone
384
00:18:37,329 --> 00:18:43,418
departing for America Eric Idle said
385
00:18:40,569 --> 00:18:46,029
well yeah the one person that has always
386
00:18:43,419 --> 00:18:49,559
been a big Python fan is George Harrison
387
00:18:46,029 --> 00:18:51,940
and he lives in the Hollywood Hills and
388
00:18:49,558 --> 00:18:54,129
we should really go and see him and talk
389
00:18:51,940 --> 00:18:56,080
to him about it I think we sent a script
390
00:18:54,130 --> 00:18:57,910
ahead of time for him to read and then
391
00:18:56,079 --> 00:19:00,990
anyway a miracle a miracle happened a
392
00:18:57,910 --> 00:19:03,808
miracle say George of Harrison
393
00:19:00,990 --> 00:19:07,259
thanks Eric Idle heard about the project
394
00:19:03,808 --> 00:19:09,750
have said yes you know how I'd like to
395
00:19:07,259 --> 00:19:16,440
do it you know what we did was we pawned
396
00:19:09,750 --> 00:19:20,099
my house and the office in London and to
397
00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:23,009
get a bank loan and that was a bit
398
00:19:20,099 --> 00:19:25,829
nerve-racking George put up all the
399
00:19:23,009 --> 00:19:28,650
money himself and in doing so set up the
400
00:19:25,829 --> 00:19:30,689
company handmade films that would go on
401
00:19:28,650 --> 00:19:33,960
to make Mona Lisa and a private function
402
00:19:30,690 --> 00:19:37,049
amongst others and so several months
403
00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:39,390
later than planned in September 1978 the
404
00:19:37,049 --> 00:19:42,359
41 day shoot began in monastere in
405
00:19:39,390 --> 00:19:43,830
Geneva it was decided that Terry Jones
406
00:19:42,359 --> 00:19:46,019
should direct the film with Terry
407
00:19:43,829 --> 00:19:47,819
Gilliam in charge of art direction this
408
00:19:46,019 --> 00:19:49,920
was a change from the Holy Grail film
409
00:19:47,819 --> 00:19:52,189
where both men had directed together a
410
00:19:49,920 --> 00:19:54,570
situation that had caused some tension
411
00:19:52,190 --> 00:19:56,340
they were sort of working on different
412
00:19:54,569 --> 00:19:58,139
ends of the spectrum at times and it did
413
00:19:56,339 --> 00:19:59,339
cause a fair amount of consternation by
414
00:19:58,140 --> 00:20:00,570
the time they got to Bryan I think
415
00:19:59,339 --> 00:20:01,919
everyone in the group felt that they
416
00:20:00,569 --> 00:20:02,460
couldn't have two people again calling
417
00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:04,920
the shots
418
00:20:02,460 --> 00:20:06,690
Gilliam wisely back down I think because
419
00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:08,190
by then he'd made Jabberwocky so he kind
420
00:20:06,690 --> 00:20:09,058
of felt I'm gonna go off and make my own
421
00:20:08,190 --> 00:20:10,830
movies anyway
422
00:20:09,058 --> 00:20:12,359
Terry was important to be the director
423
00:20:10,829 --> 00:20:13,849
because I would have got caught up in
424
00:20:12,359 --> 00:20:17,279
all sorts of detail that would have
425
00:20:13,849 --> 00:20:18,509
riled the others because you John didn't
426
00:20:17,279 --> 00:20:19,950
want to wear this and then you know they
427
00:20:18,509 --> 00:20:22,890
they didn't want to do all the things
428
00:20:19,950 --> 00:20:24,420
that I think are important film wearing
429
00:20:22,890 --> 00:20:26,790
uncomfortable clothes having your
430
00:20:24,420 --> 00:20:28,440
grotesque makeup all those things Terry
431
00:20:26,789 --> 00:20:30,420
and I sort of fell out at one point I
432
00:20:28,440 --> 00:20:31,769
think I said something or the stroppy to
433
00:20:30,420 --> 00:20:34,769
Terry at some point because I thought he
434
00:20:31,769 --> 00:20:37,259
was he was bending the camera man's ear
435
00:20:34,769 --> 00:20:39,029
more what I want the lovers but it's a
436
00:20:37,259 --> 00:20:40,920
sort something out
437
00:20:39,029 --> 00:20:43,410
and it took Terry long time to forgive I
438
00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:44,880
think he didn't speak to me Rover died
439
00:20:43,410 --> 00:20:46,320
and thought that for now but just think
440
00:20:44,880 --> 00:20:49,620
about he you probably just kept out of
441
00:20:46,319 --> 00:20:50,819
my way it was Felix a pistol and I think
442
00:20:49,619 --> 00:20:53,308
there was a feeling right from the
443
00:20:50,819 --> 00:20:54,689
beginning and the very first scene I
444
00:20:53,308 --> 00:20:57,089
think that was shot was the stoning
445
00:20:54,690 --> 00:20:57,570
scene but this could be very funny
446
00:20:57,089 --> 00:21:02,519
indeed
447
00:20:57,569 --> 00:21:05,789
and so morale morale was high with her
448
00:21:02,519 --> 00:21:08,670
son of Deuteronomy of Gath well I say
449
00:21:05,789 --> 00:21:11,319
yes yes yes you have been found guilty
450
00:21:08,670 --> 00:21:14,890
by the elders of the town
451
00:21:11,319 --> 00:21:19,779
muttering the name of our Lord and so as
452
00:21:14,890 --> 00:21:23,920
he bless fever you are to be stoned to
453
00:21:19,779 --> 00:21:26,259
death oh look I went a lovely supper and
454
00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:31,029
all I said to my wife was that piece of
455
00:21:26,259 --> 00:21:32,980
halibut was good enough for Jeremy he
456
00:21:31,029 --> 00:21:35,680
said it again we were there on day one
457
00:21:32,980 --> 00:21:37,150
and and and and Jonesy was so well
458
00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:38,799
prepared it was shot like that I
459
00:21:37,150 --> 00:21:41,500
suddenly thought my car this is fun
460
00:21:38,799 --> 00:21:43,720
stuff my blind taxidermy the shoot
461
00:21:41,500 --> 00:21:45,789
progressed smoothly behind-the-scenes
462
00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:48,670
footage shows a relaxed group of pythons
463
00:21:45,789 --> 00:21:52,240
enjoying themselves yes it's another
464
00:21:48,670 --> 00:21:55,330
edition of Graham Chapman rests a series
465
00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:56,950
of four hundred half-hour programs which
466
00:21:55,329 --> 00:22:01,449
look at the life of a man who rests a
467
00:21:56,950 --> 00:22:03,039
lot when we're doing those crowd scenes
468
00:22:01,450 --> 00:22:05,529
where they will had shout out yeah these
469
00:22:03,039 --> 00:22:07,720
are Arab speaking crowd and some smoke
470
00:22:05,529 --> 00:22:11,289
bit of French but not English speaking
471
00:22:07,720 --> 00:22:13,990
so I assumed we'd have to dub on and
472
00:22:11,289 --> 00:22:15,569
basically I just shouted out to them
473
00:22:13,990 --> 00:22:18,220
what I wanted them chat back and
474
00:22:15,569 --> 00:22:20,649
actually everybody just shouted back or
475
00:22:18,220 --> 00:22:22,240
phonetically what I shouted at dude and
476
00:22:20,650 --> 00:22:24,450
we used the actual sound track in the
477
00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:31,529
end it was cut its head fit least on
478
00:22:24,450 --> 00:22:31,529
yourself you're all individual yes oh
479
00:22:33,150 --> 00:22:36,150
yes
480
00:22:36,269 --> 00:22:41,069
I'm not we have to midway through
481
00:22:39,069 --> 00:22:43,569
filming and in a bizarre coincidence
482
00:22:41,069 --> 00:22:46,450
Spike Milligan suddenly popped up and
483
00:22:43,569 --> 00:22:49,029
was given a cameo spike happened to be
484
00:22:46,450 --> 00:22:51,370
into knitting because he was visiting um
485
00:22:49,029 --> 00:22:53,379
the Second World War battlefields on
486
00:22:51,369 --> 00:22:55,479
which he'd fought and he suddenly turns
487
00:22:53,380 --> 00:22:57,160
up in monastere can't get a room in her
488
00:22:55,480 --> 00:22:59,110
talk to the entire Python team is there
489
00:22:57,160 --> 00:23:00,910
so he came along one morning he filmed
490
00:22:59,109 --> 00:23:01,329
his lovely little cameo they all went
491
00:23:00,910 --> 00:23:03,340
for lunch
492
00:23:01,329 --> 00:23:04,720
he just went he didn't come back and
493
00:23:03,339 --> 00:23:06,399
they had Tim scheduled for the afternoon
494
00:23:04,720 --> 00:23:08,140
for his close-ups and the rest of the
495
00:23:06,400 --> 00:23:09,430
scene but he'd gone he just had I've had
496
00:23:08,140 --> 00:23:10,480
enough of this I'm on holiday and he'd
497
00:23:09,430 --> 00:23:12,250
gone off to look at some battlefield
498
00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:14,650
somewhere but he still appears in the
499
00:23:12,250 --> 00:23:16,269
movie and it is a great link between the
500
00:23:14,650 --> 00:23:19,719
greens and the pythons
501
00:23:16,269 --> 00:23:31,209
yay he cometh to us like the siege of
502
00:23:19,719 --> 00:23:33,009
the grave the scene that would be the
503
00:23:31,209 --> 00:23:36,038
hardest to film would also be the most
504
00:23:33,009 --> 00:23:40,149
controversial the crucifixion of Brian I
505
00:23:36,038 --> 00:23:43,028
remember vividly the was on the right
506
00:23:40,148 --> 00:23:46,058
side shooting that in this is requite a
507
00:23:43,028 --> 00:23:48,009
weird place and arriving there on the
508
00:23:46,058 --> 00:23:51,098
morning of a shoot and seeing all these
509
00:23:48,009 --> 00:23:53,979
crosses up on my horizon that was kind
510
00:23:51,098 --> 00:23:56,858
of a weird moment and you kind of
511
00:23:53,979 --> 00:23:58,629
wondered where quite how people would
512
00:23:56,858 --> 00:24:01,598
respond to that because you know the
513
00:23:58,628 --> 00:24:03,638
images were so strong and and and the
514
00:24:01,598 --> 00:24:07,028
idea that it became a song and dance
515
00:24:03,638 --> 00:24:10,058
number I like remember Eric singing this
516
00:24:07,028 --> 00:24:13,808
song to us seeing the end song to us in
517
00:24:10,058 --> 00:24:18,878
the hotel I think cheer up one you know
518
00:24:13,808 --> 00:24:22,118
as I say some things Eli forbade they
519
00:24:18,878 --> 00:24:25,478
can really made you made other things
520
00:24:22,118 --> 00:24:27,939
just might you swear and curse when
521
00:24:25,479 --> 00:24:32,229
you're chewing on life's gristle back
522
00:24:27,940 --> 00:24:38,889
humble give a whistle and this'll help
523
00:24:32,229 --> 00:24:42,009
bees turn out for the bass I always look
524
00:24:38,888 --> 00:24:46,569
on the bright side of life
525
00:24:42,009 --> 00:24:48,969
I wasn't overdressed but we didn't have
526
00:24:46,569 --> 00:24:49,689
any other ending so they thought it'd be
527
00:24:48,969 --> 00:24:51,639
quite funny
528
00:24:49,690 --> 00:24:53,048
okay they also had the problem of
529
00:24:51,638 --> 00:24:54,488
actually filming it it's very difficult
530
00:24:53,048 --> 00:24:56,138
to bring stuff I came across one can
531
00:24:54,489 --> 00:24:57,519
emerges happy they were actually open
532
00:24:56,138 --> 00:24:59,498
the crosses for three days and there's a
533
00:24:57,519 --> 00:25:01,959
lot of time and dancing it had little
534
00:24:59,499 --> 00:25:03,098
platform for the feet just on the middle
535
00:25:01,959 --> 00:25:04,690
of the cross and the force a hidden
536
00:25:03,098 --> 00:25:06,189
bicycle seat that they could sort of
537
00:25:04,690 --> 00:25:08,649
perch on while they were up there that's
538
00:25:06,190 --> 00:25:12,119
the thing about four of us who were
539
00:25:08,648 --> 00:25:14,498
slightly tended to have chest problems
540
00:25:12,118 --> 00:25:16,058
got really quite sick and I remember
541
00:25:14,499 --> 00:25:17,379
thinking the day I was crucified you
542
00:25:16,058 --> 00:25:20,210
know I was looking forward to being
543
00:25:17,378 --> 00:25:23,389
crucified be crucified when you got
544
00:25:20,210 --> 00:25:25,579
I always just thought it'd be friendly
545
00:25:23,390 --> 00:25:27,100
having a song-and-dance routine on what
546
00:25:25,579 --> 00:25:29,720
across it
547
00:25:27,099 --> 00:25:33,230
nobody's tied to this place they can't
548
00:25:29,720 --> 00:25:36,200
move it was a wonderful bit of work by
549
00:25:33,230 --> 00:25:37,819
Eric that song so I think in a way we
550
00:25:36,200 --> 00:25:39,890
were all in our different ways working
551
00:25:37,819 --> 00:25:43,159
at our best certainly gray was at his
552
00:25:39,890 --> 00:25:45,470
best as an actor I was performing well
553
00:25:43,160 --> 00:25:48,980
Eric was in good form
554
00:25:45,470 --> 00:25:50,509
Michael's superb terry gilliam made the
555
00:25:48,980 --> 00:25:52,190
film look good and Terry Jones was
556
00:25:50,509 --> 00:25:53,450
absolutely on top of his game as a
557
00:25:52,190 --> 00:25:54,470
director so it was just one of those
558
00:25:53,450 --> 00:25:57,289
moments when it all comes together
559
00:25:54,470 --> 00:25:59,180
usually a movies all falls apart the
560
00:25:57,289 --> 00:26:01,099
shoot was completed and Terry Jones
561
00:25:59,180 --> 00:26:03,049
began to edit the film in preparation
562
00:26:01,099 --> 00:26:05,839
for life of Bryan's sheduled release a
563
00:26:03,049 --> 00:26:07,460
few months later but done banants to the
564
00:26:05,839 --> 00:26:09,559
film crew the secret was already out
565
00:26:07,460 --> 00:26:12,319
because there was a traitor within its
566
00:26:09,559 --> 00:26:14,359
ranks someone had sent 11 pages of the
567
00:26:12,319 --> 00:26:17,240
script to Mary Whitehouse and the
568
00:26:14,359 --> 00:26:20,299
festival of light the nationwide
569
00:26:17,240 --> 00:26:22,099
festival of light obtained the script
570
00:26:20,299 --> 00:26:23,000
from somewhere I've no I have no
571
00:26:22,099 --> 00:26:25,219
knowledge of that
572
00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:27,170
the fact that they got the script means
573
00:26:25,220 --> 00:26:30,049
that somebody must have sent it to them
574
00:26:27,170 --> 00:26:31,820
that was associated with the film the
575
00:26:30,049 --> 00:26:33,649
festival of light were appalled and
576
00:26:31,819 --> 00:26:35,899
wrote a letter to the British Board of
577
00:26:33,650 --> 00:26:37,820
Film classification urging them to think
578
00:26:35,900 --> 00:26:40,910
of the consequences of allowing the film
579
00:26:37,819 --> 00:26:42,679
to be shown it ended I need not remind
580
00:26:40,910 --> 00:26:45,890
you of the wider implications of
581
00:26:42,680 --> 00:26:48,590
scurrilous abuse of God Christ or the
582
00:26:45,890 --> 00:26:50,900
Bible the lines were drawn for one of
583
00:26:48,589 --> 00:26:53,259
the great cultural battles of modern
584
00:26:50,900 --> 00:26:53,259
times
585
00:28:39,749 --> 00:28:45,368
April 1979 while Terry Jones was working
586
00:28:43,450 --> 00:28:46,960
hard to finish life of brian the
587
00:28:45,368 --> 00:28:50,048
festival of light began their crusade
588
00:28:46,960 --> 00:28:53,440
against it they obviously don't like
589
00:28:50,048 --> 00:28:56,558
what they read but they realized that if
590
00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:57,659
they go for this in a big way then that
591
00:28:56,558 --> 00:29:01,450
may be counterproductive
592
00:28:57,659 --> 00:29:04,629
so what they do is they adopt this kind
593
00:29:01,450 --> 00:29:08,200
of low-profile somewhat insidious
594
00:29:04,628 --> 00:29:12,728
campaign of saying oh let's all pray for
595
00:29:08,200 --> 00:29:14,739
the failure of Life of Brian the
596
00:29:12,729 --> 00:29:16,690
festival of light and Mary Whitehouse in
597
00:29:14,739 --> 00:29:18,909
particular was on the warpath
598
00:29:16,690 --> 00:29:21,580
the Python team was staring a possible
599
00:29:18,909 --> 00:29:23,499
prosecution for blasphemy in the face so
600
00:29:21,579 --> 00:29:26,949
sought the advice of John Mortimer the
601
00:29:23,499 --> 00:29:28,960
lawyer who defended gay news they sought
602
00:29:26,950 --> 00:29:30,999
legal advice from he because I suppose
603
00:29:28,960 --> 00:29:32,769
because I'd done the blasphemy trial and
604
00:29:30,999 --> 00:29:36,220
I think it was quite brave I think it
605
00:29:32,769 --> 00:29:38,229
still is quite brave and they came to
606
00:29:36,220 --> 00:29:41,200
see me and I saw the film which I
607
00:29:38,229 --> 00:29:45,999
thought riotously funny and it remains
608
00:29:41,200 --> 00:29:48,369
one of my favorite funny films and and I
609
00:29:45,999 --> 00:29:50,470
gave it a legal opinion it was one
610
00:29:48,368 --> 00:29:54,098
rather dangerous point where Michael
611
00:29:50,470 --> 00:29:56,950
Palin was was a leper and he was cured
612
00:29:54,098 --> 00:30:00,608
by Jesus he was very angry said oh
613
00:29:56,950 --> 00:30:03,009
bloody do-gooder okay oh Jesus pizza I
614
00:30:00,608 --> 00:30:05,589
was hopping along on my own business all
615
00:30:03,009 --> 00:30:06,819
of a sudden a becomes yours me one
616
00:30:05,589 --> 00:30:08,348
minute I'm a leper with a fight next
617
00:30:06,819 --> 00:30:10,628
minute my love dudes gone it's not so
618
00:30:08,348 --> 00:30:12,519
much as a by-your-leave Yorkshire night
619
00:30:10,628 --> 00:30:14,259
but he do good uh-oh
620
00:30:12,519 --> 00:30:17,499
the Pythons decided to keep the
621
00:30:14,259 --> 00:30:21,940
character in but another called otto was
622
00:30:17,499 --> 00:30:24,460
right on the edge otto was a jewish Nazi
623
00:30:21,940 --> 00:30:27,129
now this really was quite delicate
624
00:30:24,460 --> 00:30:28,509
territory it's right on the edge again
625
00:30:27,128 --> 00:30:30,158
you're saying things you're not supposed
626
00:30:28,509 --> 00:30:32,858
to say this time not about Christians
627
00:30:30,159 --> 00:30:35,320
what about Jews and Israel important
628
00:30:32,858 --> 00:30:38,439
stuff to say because it's it it's a
629
00:30:35,319 --> 00:30:40,839
cutting through the hypocrisy in one
630
00:30:38,440 --> 00:30:42,999
particular scene Otto talked to Brian
631
00:30:40,839 --> 00:30:46,738
about setting up a racially pure all
632
00:30:42,999 --> 00:30:49,480
Jewish community it was a problem
633
00:30:46,739 --> 00:30:50,740
character because
634
00:30:49,480 --> 00:30:52,269
of course this is not the sort of
635
00:30:50,740 --> 00:30:55,509
character that would appeal to an
636
00:30:52,269 --> 00:30:58,720
American film distributor where the
637
00:30:55,509 --> 00:31:01,569
Jewish lobby is very strong the auto
638
00:30:58,720 --> 00:31:03,160
story line had to go the only remnant in
639
00:31:01,569 --> 00:31:06,460
the finished film is his very brief
640
00:31:03,160 --> 00:31:08,919
appearance at Brian's crucifixion deck
641
00:31:06,460 --> 00:31:11,890
you may remember that does this run a
642
00:31:08,919 --> 00:31:15,070
strange bunch of sort of samurai looking
643
00:31:11,890 --> 00:31:16,000
people who turn up at the end and commit
644
00:31:15,069 --> 00:31:18,819
suicide
645
00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:20,470
that showed him huh I'm still not
646
00:31:18,819 --> 00:31:22,298
convinced cutting it out was the right
647
00:31:20,470 --> 00:31:24,429
things I I think that seems really
648
00:31:22,298 --> 00:31:26,349
important they obviously we're points
649
00:31:24,429 --> 00:31:30,548
which a prosecutor would make much show
650
00:31:26,349 --> 00:31:33,250
but our advice about the whole film was
651
00:31:30,548 --> 00:31:34,690
really founded on telling the court the
652
00:31:33,250 --> 00:31:37,298
bride and Jesus were two different
653
00:31:34,690 --> 00:31:39,759
people and that Jesus appears in the
654
00:31:37,298 --> 00:31:41,829
film was a separate character now well
655
00:31:39,759 --> 00:31:43,660
that's a very convincing defense I don't
656
00:31:41,829 --> 00:31:47,649
know but luckily we never had to try
657
00:31:43,660 --> 00:31:50,169
that life of brian was completed the
658
00:31:47,650 --> 00:31:51,970
Pythons set out for America it had been
659
00:31:50,169 --> 00:31:54,280
decided to open the film their first
660
00:31:51,970 --> 00:31:56,380
home as it was to freedom of speech the
661
00:31:54,279 --> 00:31:58,859
Constitution and perhaps even more
662
00:31:56,380 --> 00:32:01,630
helpfully not home to any blasphemy laws
663
00:31:58,859 --> 00:32:06,339
the world premiere was set for New York
664
00:32:01,630 --> 00:32:07,740
on August the 17th 1979 I just know it
665
00:32:06,339 --> 00:32:10,418
was gonna be fun
666
00:32:07,740 --> 00:32:12,759
and and it was they didn't let us down
667
00:32:10,419 --> 00:32:14,679
they were out there parading marching
668
00:32:12,759 --> 00:32:16,690
screaming and shouting you know just
669
00:32:14,679 --> 00:32:19,360
like what would expect but it seemed odd
670
00:32:16,690 --> 00:32:22,929
when the film came out that the the
671
00:32:19,359 --> 00:32:25,298
first group to complain about it was the
672
00:32:22,929 --> 00:32:26,950
group that we'd never actioned with what
673
00:32:25,298 --> 00:32:29,019
everybody complained about at all
674
00:32:26,950 --> 00:32:31,480
that was the it was the New York
675
00:32:29,019 --> 00:32:34,418
association of rabbis and we thought
676
00:32:31,480 --> 00:32:36,569
well why are they complaining oh the
677
00:32:34,419 --> 00:32:38,559
magic Christians can play it even rabbis
678
00:32:36,569 --> 00:32:40,240
and anyway they were complaining about
679
00:32:38,558 --> 00:32:42,490
the use of the prayer shawl in the
680
00:32:40,240 --> 00:32:43,990
stoning sequence which showing me the
681
00:32:42,490 --> 00:32:46,210
night was the prayer shawl we just
682
00:32:43,990 --> 00:32:47,710
thought it was a bit of costume so when
683
00:32:46,210 --> 00:32:49,779
you're treading on delicate ground you
684
00:32:47,710 --> 00:32:53,500
never know what you're going to be
685
00:32:49,779 --> 00:32:55,839
offending Rabbi Abraham Hecht was quoted
686
00:32:53,500 --> 00:32:58,210
in the trade paper variety accusing the
687
00:32:55,839 --> 00:33:01,349
film of being blasphemous sacrilegious
688
00:32:58,210 --> 00:33:03,200
and an incitement to possible violence
689
00:33:01,349 --> 00:33:05,659
they knew they were
690
00:33:03,200 --> 00:33:08,509
in for a rough ride because they'd been
691
00:33:05,660 --> 00:33:12,800
told they must all make a will before
692
00:33:08,509 --> 00:33:15,799
they went to New York since they had no
693
00:33:12,799 --> 00:33:20,899
idea whether they'd someone take a shot
694
00:33:15,799 --> 00:33:23,059
at them or not a group of rabbis and
695
00:33:20,900 --> 00:33:25,220
priests held demonstrations over this
696
00:33:23,059 --> 00:33:27,139
past weekend and they were demonstrating
697
00:33:25,220 --> 00:33:29,000
against a movie called The Life of Brian
698
00:33:27,140 --> 00:33:31,130
for the new Maude a Python film is
699
00:33:29,000 --> 00:33:33,109
entitled The Life of Brian it is a spoof
700
00:33:31,130 --> 00:33:34,760
of the life of Christ and has managed to
701
00:33:33,109 --> 00:33:37,039
offend just about every religious group
702
00:33:34,759 --> 00:33:38,930
in this city Monty Python's Life of
703
00:33:37,039 --> 00:33:40,009
Brian a film attracting much attention
704
00:33:38,930 --> 00:33:41,090
today outside the Warner Brothers
705
00:33:40,009 --> 00:33:42,859
building in Rockefeller Center
706
00:33:41,089 --> 00:33:45,230
demonstrators gathered to call the film
707
00:33:42,859 --> 00:33:46,879
blasphemous Catholic Jewish Greek
708
00:33:45,230 --> 00:33:49,069
Orthodox and Protestant religious
709
00:33:46,880 --> 00:33:51,410
leaders all condemned the film New York
710
00:33:49,069 --> 00:33:52,879
archdiocese officially on record against
711
00:33:51,410 --> 00:33:56,380
it I mean it wasn't a great surprise
712
00:33:52,880 --> 00:33:56,380
that there were going to be people who
713
00:33:56,799 --> 00:34:01,490
disliked the film because we knew that
714
00:33:59,690 --> 00:34:04,910
there were certain people whom the Bible
715
00:34:01,490 --> 00:34:06,769
story was untouchable at one famous
716
00:34:04,910 --> 00:34:08,900
demonstration in New York the reverend
717
00:34:06,769 --> 00:34:11,690
roger fulton referred to the makers of
718
00:34:08,900 --> 00:34:14,660
the film as monty snake people who he
719
00:34:11,690 --> 00:34:18,260
said needed a new heart a new soul and a
720
00:34:14,659 --> 00:34:20,480
new spirit I think what really worried
721
00:34:18,260 --> 00:34:24,410
Roger Fulton was actually British humour
722
00:34:20,480 --> 00:34:25,849
because while he could as a as a
723
00:34:24,409 --> 00:34:28,069
believing Christian make all these
724
00:34:25,849 --> 00:34:30,199
objections to the alleged blasphemy in
725
00:34:28,070 --> 00:34:31,640
the film what really I think got up his
726
00:34:30,199 --> 00:34:33,409
nose is the fact that here were all
727
00:34:31,639 --> 00:34:35,719
these men dressed as women you've got to
728
00:34:33,409 --> 00:34:38,779
remember that Christianity in America is
729
00:34:35,719 --> 00:34:41,299
mainly about sex there's so deeply
730
00:34:38,780 --> 00:34:45,010
uncomfortable about every aspect of sex
731
00:34:41,300 --> 00:34:48,350
that they don't much care about wars or
732
00:34:45,010 --> 00:34:50,120
destroying the environment or financial
733
00:34:48,349 --> 00:34:52,130
corruption or anything to do with sex
734
00:34:50,119 --> 00:34:53,960
sets of all and it's because these
735
00:34:52,130 --> 00:34:55,910
people are operating at a very very low
736
00:34:53,960 --> 00:34:58,400
level of mental health they are
737
00:34:55,909 --> 00:35:00,079
incapable of understanding the teachings
738
00:34:58,400 --> 00:35:02,420
so understand the majority of the
739
00:35:00,079 --> 00:35:04,818
religious
740
00:35:02,420 --> 00:35:06,409
reaction against the film was from
741
00:35:04,818 --> 00:35:08,179
people who hadn't seen the film this is
742
00:35:06,409 --> 00:35:10,190
what makes me crazy is his ability to
743
00:35:08,179 --> 00:35:13,399
just close say no don't even look at
744
00:35:10,190 --> 00:35:14,869
that don't even think about it that it's
745
00:35:13,400 --> 00:35:17,389
a way of keeping people you know
746
00:35:14,869 --> 00:35:19,818
ignorant under control and not thinking
747
00:35:17,389 --> 00:35:21,108
and I think with Python one of the
748
00:35:19,818 --> 00:35:22,929
things I thought we were all pretty
749
00:35:21,108 --> 00:35:25,639
proud of is trying to make people think
750
00:35:22,929 --> 00:35:27,558
the u.s. protests and marches only
751
00:35:25,639 --> 00:35:30,500
served to heighten media profile and
752
00:35:27,559 --> 00:35:32,119
increased takings the original plan to
753
00:35:30,500 --> 00:35:34,400
open Brian on two hundred screens
754
00:35:32,119 --> 00:35:36,619
nationwide snowballed to near a six
755
00:35:34,400 --> 00:35:39,079
hundred certain states banned the film
756
00:35:36,619 --> 00:35:41,450
especially in the Bible Belt which only
757
00:35:39,079 --> 00:35:43,220
fanned the flames more Life of Brian
758
00:35:41,449 --> 00:35:47,689
would eventually take over twenty
759
00:35:43,219 --> 00:35:49,788
million dollars in the US alone back in
760
00:35:47,690 --> 00:35:51,588
the UK the word about life of Brian was
761
00:35:49,789 --> 00:35:52,880
spreading and although the film wouldn't
762
00:35:51,588 --> 00:35:56,108
be on general release until the
763
00:35:52,880 --> 00:35:58,490
following year on November the 9th 1979
764
00:35:56,108 --> 00:36:00,650
John Cleese and Michael Palin were
765
00:35:58,489 --> 00:36:03,229
invited to appear on a late-night BBC
766
00:36:00,650 --> 00:36:05,088
Two discussion programme to debate the
767
00:36:03,230 --> 00:36:07,219
film in the presence of Mervyn Stockwood
768
00:36:05,088 --> 00:36:08,960
the Bishop of Civic and Malcolm
769
00:36:07,219 --> 00:36:12,348
Muggeridge born-again Christian and
770
00:36:08,960 --> 00:36:14,900
well-known friend of Mary the stage was
771
00:36:12,349 --> 00:36:15,579
set for one of TV's all-time great ding
772
00:36:14,900 --> 00:36:17,660
dongs
773
00:36:15,579 --> 00:36:20,778
it was obvious going to be quite a heavy
774
00:36:17,659 --> 00:36:25,009
interview perhaps the most the strongest
775
00:36:20,778 --> 00:36:26,989
criticism we we would face and John and
776
00:36:25,009 --> 00:36:28,579
I I mean I remember actually czar
777
00:36:26,989 --> 00:36:30,889
mugging up for it like for an exam you
778
00:36:28,579 --> 00:36:32,539
know going through my books and yes for
779
00:36:30,889 --> 00:36:35,179
getting all the arguments together when
780
00:36:32,539 --> 00:36:36,950
I look at their figure I mean I know
781
00:36:35,179 --> 00:36:39,230
you're going to play rounders and Jesus
782
00:36:36,949 --> 00:36:42,439
but I mean that's that's rubbish the it
783
00:36:39,230 --> 00:36:44,750
was the her thing is quite clearly had
784
00:36:42,440 --> 00:36:46,579
know Jesus had lived their film wouldn't
785
00:36:44,750 --> 00:36:48,199
have been produced the bishops sitting
786
00:36:46,579 --> 00:36:50,240
in always purple with the world's
787
00:36:48,199 --> 00:36:52,699
biggest silver crucifix I've never seen
788
00:36:50,239 --> 00:36:54,919
one so big fingering it and the voices
789
00:36:52,699 --> 00:36:57,379
were all Headmaster's voices and they're
790
00:36:54,920 --> 00:37:01,519
all dignified but I come back to say
791
00:36:57,380 --> 00:37:03,259
that this is not us really cooling of
792
00:37:01,518 --> 00:37:08,028
the founder of the Christian religion
793
00:37:03,259 --> 00:37:10,909
and of the Incarnation in an extremely
794
00:37:08,028 --> 00:37:13,099
chic intense rate way Muggeridge and
795
00:37:10,909 --> 00:37:15,529
until he was 60 was a well-known
796
00:37:13,099 --> 00:37:18,200
womanizer and drinker
797
00:37:15,530 --> 00:37:19,760
and I expect to some extent he only got
798
00:37:18,199 --> 00:37:22,939
religion after he couldn't do anything
799
00:37:19,760 --> 00:37:27,320
else and momen Stockwood was was a
800
00:37:22,940 --> 00:37:30,050
homosexual as everybody knew and also as
801
00:37:27,320 --> 00:37:32,090
it happens a heavy drinker as it went on
802
00:37:30,050 --> 00:37:33,769
an extraordinary thing happened was that
803
00:37:32,090 --> 00:37:34,940
we were the ones with the serious points
804
00:37:33,769 --> 00:37:36,349
and they were the ones who are playing
805
00:37:34,940 --> 00:37:39,500
to the crowd
806
00:37:36,349 --> 00:37:41,360
I said no think it was worth it was the
807
00:37:39,500 --> 00:37:43,550
sort of thing as I say that at Cambridge
808
00:37:41,360 --> 00:37:47,120
the footlights did on a damp Tuesday
809
00:37:43,550 --> 00:37:49,760
afternoon or the layer fourth of an idle
810
00:37:47,119 --> 00:37:52,190
schoolmaster you keep making the basic
811
00:37:49,760 --> 00:37:55,880
assumption that we are ridiculing Christ
812
00:37:52,190 --> 00:37:57,470
and Christ's teaching and I say that we
813
00:37:55,880 --> 00:37:59,300
are not but do you imagine that your
814
00:37:57,469 --> 00:38:01,939
scene for instance of the Sermon on the
815
00:37:59,300 --> 00:38:03,920
Mount the scene in this in your your
816
00:38:01,940 --> 00:38:05,929
film of the Sermon on the Mount is not
817
00:38:03,920 --> 00:38:07,970
ridiculing one of the most sublime
818
00:38:05,929 --> 00:38:10,190
utterances that any human being has ever
819
00:38:07,969 --> 00:38:11,929
spoken on this earth of course it is no
820
00:38:10,190 --> 00:38:13,429
no it's making fun of the guy who's
821
00:38:11,929 --> 00:38:14,929
remembered it wrong and of the people
822
00:38:13,429 --> 00:38:16,519
who don't understand it missed the point
823
00:38:14,929 --> 00:38:17,629
where I think I think that's really
824
00:38:16,519 --> 00:38:18,920
unfair because I think that a lot of
825
00:38:17,630 --> 00:38:21,140
people looking in will think that we
826
00:38:18,920 --> 00:38:23,269
have we have actually ridiculed Christ
827
00:38:21,139 --> 00:38:25,900
yes physically Christ is played by an
828
00:38:23,269 --> 00:38:28,039
actor Kent Colley he speaks the words
829
00:38:25,900 --> 00:38:29,630
from the Sermon on the Mount he's
830
00:38:28,039 --> 00:38:31,279
treated absolutely respectfully the
831
00:38:29,630 --> 00:38:33,260
camera then pans away we go right to the
832
00:38:31,280 --> 00:38:36,830
back of the crowd to someone who sharps
833
00:38:33,260 --> 00:38:37,430
speak up because they come out here that
834
00:38:36,829 --> 00:38:39,259
utterly
835
00:38:37,429 --> 00:38:41,029
no no that's not really undermine their
836
00:38:39,260 --> 00:38:43,190
disease in Christ Chris effect no
837
00:38:41,030 --> 00:38:45,530
because you say I started off by saying
838
00:38:43,190 --> 00:38:46,820
that this is such a tenth-grade film
839
00:38:45,530 --> 00:38:49,010
that I don't believe that it would
840
00:38:46,820 --> 00:38:51,370
disturb anybody the living mind I
841
00:38:49,010 --> 00:38:51,370
realized
842
00:38:52,400 --> 00:38:59,338
I've never been so sort of angry in
843
00:38:57,059 --> 00:39:01,769
public before I don't think I just it
844
00:38:59,338 --> 00:39:05,278
was just the way they dealt with it them
845
00:39:01,769 --> 00:39:06,659
that the sort of venom used just just
846
00:39:05,278 --> 00:39:10,019
because they like the sound of the word
847
00:39:06,659 --> 00:39:12,210
I was aware mica was steaming but I was
848
00:39:10,019 --> 00:39:15,329
kind of enjoying it because they'd be
849
00:39:12,210 --> 00:39:17,519
annoyed me and I reckoned that we were
850
00:39:15,329 --> 00:39:19,589
nailing I thought we were winning all
851
00:39:17,519 --> 00:39:22,528
you've done is to make a lot of people
852
00:39:19,588 --> 00:39:26,909
all across seeing a music music hold
853
00:39:22,528 --> 00:39:29,068
song leave so discuss can I shake a bit
854
00:39:26,909 --> 00:39:30,719
a lot of people go away very happy
855
00:39:29,068 --> 00:39:33,409
laughing at that their faiths not
856
00:39:30,719 --> 00:39:41,219
touched one Jaden I really do feel like
857
00:39:33,409 --> 00:39:45,389
I had quotes in my pocket from Malcolm
858
00:39:41,219 --> 00:39:47,730
that absolutely validated our position
859
00:39:45,389 --> 00:39:50,519
and destroyed his earth and out of
860
00:39:47,730 --> 00:39:52,409
kindness I didn't pull them out and read
861
00:39:50,519 --> 00:39:54,298
them out cuz I was feeling kind of sorry
862
00:39:52,409 --> 00:39:57,449
for is that unbelievable you have
863
00:39:54,298 --> 00:40:00,028
succeeded in reducing something which
864
00:39:57,449 --> 00:40:02,429
has inspired the greatest art into
865
00:40:00,028 --> 00:40:04,528
something which is presented in terms of
866
00:40:02,429 --> 00:40:06,088
the lowest art if you let your feet then
867
00:40:04,528 --> 00:40:07,469
you might on your own terms that we have
868
00:40:06,088 --> 00:40:08,818
to influence people we're not saying we
869
00:40:07,469 --> 00:40:10,949
want to infinity you're trying to make
870
00:40:08,818 --> 00:40:12,420
them laugh make it unhappy I mean it's a
871
00:40:10,949 --> 00:40:15,269
hits that's something that helped
872
00:40:12,420 --> 00:40:17,519
Jasmine have a collaboration words and
873
00:40:15,269 --> 00:40:19,949
just as it was being wound up Mervin the
874
00:40:17,519 --> 00:40:22,409
bishop delivered his PS terezi starts I
875
00:40:19,949 --> 00:40:24,689
can't you'll get your 30 pieces you'll
876
00:40:22,409 --> 00:40:27,088
get your 30 pieces of soap right I like
877
00:40:24,690 --> 00:40:29,159
right sure I hasten for those of you who
878
00:40:27,088 --> 00:40:31,230
didn't attend Sunday school this is a
879
00:40:29,159 --> 00:40:33,538
biblical quote and refers to the money
880
00:40:31,230 --> 00:40:36,409
that Judas was paid to betray Jesus
881
00:40:33,539 --> 00:40:36,410
Christ
882
00:40:36,670 --> 00:40:41,559
days later the show not the 9 o'clock
883
00:40:39,349 --> 00:40:44,000
news would send up the whole encounter
884
00:40:41,559 --> 00:40:46,009
effectively turning the tables with
885
00:40:44,000 --> 00:40:48,619
Rowan Atkinson as a bishop who had made
886
00:40:46,010 --> 00:40:50,690
a film based on the life of John Lee I
887
00:40:48,619 --> 00:40:52,639
mean I actually find it deeply offensive
888
00:40:50,690 --> 00:40:54,940
that in a country that is still
889
00:40:52,639 --> 00:40:57,980
ostensibly a Python worshipping comic
890
00:40:54,940 --> 00:41:00,079
but a 14-year old child can actually get
891
00:40:57,980 --> 00:41:01,789
in to see this I mean there is there is
892
00:41:00,079 --> 00:41:03,710
little enough proper Python around these
893
00:41:01,789 --> 00:41:06,349
days without parading this distorted
894
00:41:03,710 --> 00:41:07,730
garbage about Bishop you directed the
895
00:41:06,349 --> 00:41:11,599
film did you expect this kind of
896
00:41:07,730 --> 00:41:18,860
reaction well well I certainly didn't
897
00:41:11,599 --> 00:41:20,900
expect the Spanish Inquisition in the UK
898
00:41:18,860 --> 00:41:22,970
the British Board of Film censors passed
899
00:41:20,900 --> 00:41:25,070
life of Bryan uncut with an A a
900
00:41:22,969 --> 00:41:28,039
certificate meaning that anyone over the
901
00:41:25,070 --> 00:41:30,050
age of 14 could see it this despite the
902
00:41:28,039 --> 00:41:33,860
lobbying from the festival of light who
903
00:41:30,050 --> 00:41:35,539
had pushed for an outright ban but that
904
00:41:33,860 --> 00:41:37,970
didn't mean the UK release of Life of
905
00:41:35,539 --> 00:41:39,920
Brian would be problem-free since it was
906
00:41:37,969 --> 00:41:42,019
up to councils to decide whether to show
907
00:41:39,920 --> 00:41:43,849
the film or not and the festival of
908
00:41:42,019 --> 00:41:47,559
light now began to write letters to them
909
00:41:43,849 --> 00:41:47,559
still pressing for a ban
910
00:41:47,570 --> 00:41:52,519
if you've got the festival of light
911
00:41:49,579 --> 00:41:54,829
causing trouble if you've got some
912
00:41:52,519 --> 00:41:57,889
fairly conservative views in your local
913
00:41:54,829 --> 00:42:02,539
area that it is quite possible for any
914
00:41:57,889 --> 00:42:07,159
local authority to call in the film view
915
00:42:02,539 --> 00:42:09,980
it and say no it can't go on in our
916
00:42:07,159 --> 00:42:13,969
cinema or to demand that it should be
917
00:42:09,980 --> 00:42:15,559
reclassified and it worked the film was
918
00:42:13,969 --> 00:42:19,569
banned in places like East Devon
919
00:42:15,559 --> 00:42:21,949
Cornwall Swansea and here in Harrogate
920
00:42:19,570 --> 00:42:24,980
Council Hitchin why have you banned the
921
00:42:21,949 --> 00:42:27,409
life of Brian because from what we heard
922
00:42:24,980 --> 00:42:31,099
about it we think that it's going to be
923
00:42:27,409 --> 00:42:31,789
an extremely offensive film on religious
924
00:42:31,099 --> 00:42:33,980
grounds
925
00:42:31,789 --> 00:42:36,590
now you've not actually seen the film we
926
00:42:33,980 --> 00:42:38,750
haven't what reports have you had of it
927
00:42:36,590 --> 00:42:40,850
where of those reports come from the
928
00:42:38,750 --> 00:42:46,059
reports have come from the festival of
929
00:42:40,849 --> 00:42:49,699
light and they have told us of the
930
00:42:46,059 --> 00:42:52,369
attitude of the American Catholic Church
931
00:42:49,699 --> 00:42:54,469
and the American Jewish Church what do
932
00:42:52,369 --> 00:42:56,989
you know about the festival of lights
933
00:42:54,469 --> 00:42:59,449
yourself nothing what we said was that
934
00:42:56,989 --> 00:43:01,729
if you feel strongly about this film you
935
00:42:59,449 --> 00:43:03,949
what you have to do is you exercise your
936
00:43:01,730 --> 00:43:05,750
democratic rights and write to your
937
00:43:03,949 --> 00:43:08,629
local councillors who have authority
938
00:43:05,750 --> 00:43:11,329
over the cinemas and who can either
939
00:43:08,630 --> 00:43:13,970
reclassify our film or conclude that
940
00:43:11,329 --> 00:43:17,389
it's not appropriate for your area the
941
00:43:13,969 --> 00:43:19,009
classic kind of ignorant response to
942
00:43:17,389 --> 00:43:21,170
this was the counselor who said he
943
00:43:19,010 --> 00:43:23,930
didn't have to see the film because you
944
00:43:21,170 --> 00:43:27,200
know you don't have to see a pigsty to
945
00:43:23,929 --> 00:43:28,639
know that it stinks Mary white has Lord
946
00:43:27,199 --> 00:43:30,409
Longford a few other people had a
947
00:43:28,639 --> 00:43:32,150
phenomenal power at that time they
948
00:43:30,409 --> 00:43:34,309
really frightened the politicians they
949
00:43:32,150 --> 00:43:36,050
could organize big demonstrations they
950
00:43:34,309 --> 00:43:37,969
could particularly intimidate local
951
00:43:36,050 --> 00:43:39,710
politicians they could get a grip on
952
00:43:37,969 --> 00:43:41,869
local councils and that's of course
953
00:43:39,710 --> 00:43:43,909
where films were censored and it was
954
00:43:41,869 --> 00:43:45,739
very effective campaign and pretty
955
00:43:43,909 --> 00:43:47,269
dreadful for filmmakers it was appalling
956
00:43:45,739 --> 00:43:49,009
the life of Brian couldn't be seen
957
00:43:47,269 --> 00:43:51,380
everywhere what I was proud about
958
00:43:49,010 --> 00:43:53,390
England was that where it was banned in
959
00:43:51,380 --> 00:43:54,950
different communities you know people
960
00:43:53,389 --> 00:43:56,359
would organize Shera bank parties and go
961
00:43:54,949 --> 00:43:58,039
to the communities where you could see
962
00:43:56,360 --> 00:44:01,360
it at the English good for them they're
963
00:43:58,039 --> 00:44:01,360
not going to be told what to think
964
00:44:02,050 --> 00:44:06,680
where life of Brian was allowed to be
965
00:44:04,489 --> 00:44:08,959
shown the religious protests continued
966
00:44:06,679 --> 00:44:10,669
to keep up the pressure in Liverpool
967
00:44:08,960 --> 00:44:12,559
leaflets were handed out by the city's
968
00:44:10,670 --> 00:44:14,809
mission pointing out to the audience
969
00:44:12,559 --> 00:44:17,420
some of the lies as they saw it that the
970
00:44:14,809 --> 00:44:20,179
film contained including number four a
971
00:44:17,420 --> 00:44:22,610
blind man testifying to healing promptly
972
00:44:20,179 --> 00:44:31,809
falls into a pit denying the reality of
973
00:44:22,610 --> 00:44:31,809
our Lord's miracles blind now I can see
974
00:44:33,130 --> 00:44:37,910
and the most offensive part of the film
975
00:44:36,289 --> 00:44:40,909
from the Christian communities point of
976
00:44:37,909 --> 00:44:43,549
view was very definitely the crucifixion
977
00:44:40,909 --> 00:44:46,069
they're insulting the Savior that we
978
00:44:43,550 --> 00:44:48,470
love who shed his blood for us who died
979
00:44:46,070 --> 00:44:52,220
for us and this is what is all about to
980
00:44:48,469 --> 00:44:54,109
treat crucifixion I think as a sort of
981
00:44:52,219 --> 00:44:57,469
jolly boys outing I think that that
982
00:44:54,110 --> 00:44:59,840
really is something that I felt was
983
00:44:57,469 --> 00:45:02,989
really offensive I have no sympathy
984
00:44:59,840 --> 00:45:06,289
whatsoever any religion that makes a
985
00:45:02,989 --> 00:45:08,839
form of torture into an icon that they
986
00:45:06,289 --> 00:45:10,550
worship seems to me a pretty six or a
987
00:45:08,840 --> 00:45:13,490
religion quite honestly what do they do
988
00:45:10,550 --> 00:45:16,039
in the Christian Church they have Christ
989
00:45:13,489 --> 00:45:18,409
on the cross a crucifix what is that if
990
00:45:16,039 --> 00:45:20,059
it's not a graven image it might have
991
00:45:18,409 --> 00:45:22,190
been tricky to see Life of Brian in
992
00:45:20,059 --> 00:45:24,500
certain parts of the UK but in Norway it
993
00:45:22,190 --> 00:45:26,210
was banned completely he had to go to
994
00:45:24,500 --> 00:45:28,789
Sweden if he wanted to see it where
995
00:45:26,210 --> 00:45:29,449
cinemas proudly proclaimed this film is
996
00:45:28,789 --> 00:45:33,009
so funny
997
00:45:29,449 --> 00:45:33,009
they banned it in Norway
998
00:46:43,300 --> 00:46:48,170
despite the protests and the band's life
999
00:46:46,340 --> 00:46:51,110
of brian went on to take four million
1000
00:46:48,170 --> 00:46:53,289
pounds in the UK alone and provide some
1001
00:46:51,110 --> 00:46:56,690
of the most iconic comedy scenes
1002
00:46:53,289 --> 00:47:00,619
crucifixion yes good out of the door
1003
00:46:56,690 --> 00:47:02,480
line on the left one cross each next or
1004
00:47:00,619 --> 00:47:04,940
Ivan apart from the Sanitation the
1005
00:47:02,480 --> 00:47:07,429
medicine education wine public order
1006
00:47:04,940 --> 00:47:10,039
irrigation pros a fresh water system and
1007
00:47:07,429 --> 00:47:17,029
public health what are the Romans ever
1008
00:47:10,039 --> 00:47:23,210
done for us people of Jerusalem well is
1009
00:47:17,030 --> 00:47:24,980
your friend beloved by many in the UK it
1010
00:47:23,210 --> 00:47:27,650
was recently voted the greatest comedy
1011
00:47:24,980 --> 00:47:29,750
film of all time it also marks perhaps
1012
00:47:27,650 --> 00:47:35,750
the happiest and most creative period
1013
00:47:29,750 --> 00:47:38,239
for the pythons I've always thought that
1014
00:47:35,750 --> 00:47:41,300
life burns the best thing Python did by
1015
00:47:38,239 --> 00:47:43,909
quite a long short it's the one when we
1016
00:47:41,300 --> 00:47:46,130
all are dust life O'Brien
1017
00:47:43,909 --> 00:47:47,420
it made a difference baby I'm curious if
1018
00:47:46,130 --> 00:47:49,460
it did make a difference that's what's
1019
00:47:47,420 --> 00:47:51,260
interesting but I do think it does it
1020
00:47:49,460 --> 00:47:55,400
gives hope to people who still want to
1021
00:47:51,260 --> 00:47:57,110
think and laugh let us like him hold up
1022
00:47:55,400 --> 00:47:59,090
one showing that the other be upon our
1023
00:47:57,110 --> 00:48:00,950
course or this is his sign that all who
1024
00:47:59,090 --> 00:48:03,559
follow him shall do likewise
1025
00:48:00,949 --> 00:48:08,779
no no no the show is a sign that we must
1026
00:48:03,559 --> 00:48:11,509
gather shoes together in abundance know
1027
00:48:08,780 --> 00:48:13,880
you just gather shoes together pick me
1028
00:48:11,510 --> 00:48:16,250
follow the shoe know it's a sandal fold
1029
00:48:13,880 --> 00:48:19,550
the gore is my favorite scene because it
1030
00:48:16,250 --> 00:48:22,820
is in in five minutes we do the history
1031
00:48:19,550 --> 00:48:25,550
of any major religion and all of its
1032
00:48:22,820 --> 00:48:27,650
heresies and its punishments and its
1033
00:48:25,550 --> 00:48:31,640
madness and I think that is it
1034
00:48:27,650 --> 00:48:32,599
extraordinary same hell my style I'm not
1035
00:48:31,639 --> 00:48:34,879
the Messiah
1036
00:48:32,599 --> 00:48:38,098
I say you are Lord and I should know I
1037
00:48:34,880 --> 00:48:40,588
followed a few Hey
1038
00:48:38,099 --> 00:48:43,048
the group scenes with the various
1039
00:48:40,588 --> 00:48:46,139
members of the Judean people's front
1040
00:48:43,048 --> 00:48:48,358
appear for B that was a lovely thing to
1041
00:48:46,139 --> 00:48:52,348
play campaign for C Galilee
1042
00:48:48,358 --> 00:48:53,449
oh uh it was fun at you dear officials
1043
00:48:52,349 --> 00:48:55,349
Oh
1044
00:48:53,449 --> 00:48:57,358
what's your crew tell you we're gonna
1045
00:48:55,349 --> 00:49:01,588
kidnap pilots while you take a back you
1046
00:48:57,358 --> 00:49:03,960
sudhi man sorry what Harlan wewe are
1047
00:49:01,588 --> 00:49:04,469
first are you mean we thought of it
1048
00:49:03,960 --> 00:49:07,559
first
1049
00:49:04,469 --> 00:49:09,538
oh shit yeah it's a couple years ago it
1050
00:49:07,559 --> 00:49:11,970
was invention going on there as well as
1051
00:49:09,539 --> 00:49:14,220
are basically a good strong script and I
1052
00:49:11,969 --> 00:49:16,199
think seems like that everybody felt
1053
00:49:14,219 --> 00:49:18,568
either this is our one chance to get
1054
00:49:16,199 --> 00:49:22,618
this brother we should be struggling
1055
00:49:18,568 --> 00:49:24,960
together we mustn't fight each other
1056
00:49:22,619 --> 00:49:28,798
surely we should be uniting against the
1057
00:49:24,960 --> 00:49:35,429
common enemy if you feel Babel France no
1058
00:49:28,798 --> 00:49:37,679
no the Romans almost 30 years on the
1059
00:49:35,429 --> 00:49:40,828
film still provokes controversy still
1060
00:49:37,679 --> 00:49:43,318
provokes debate I know I didn't think it
1061
00:49:40,829 --> 00:49:45,630
was funny I thought that it was um quite
1062
00:49:43,318 --> 00:49:48,690
an insult to be honest maybe just being
1063
00:49:45,630 --> 00:49:50,130
offensive to them because it is making
1064
00:49:48,690 --> 00:49:52,440
fun of people who don't think for
1065
00:49:50,130 --> 00:49:54,358
themselves and that's exactly what the
1066
00:49:52,440 --> 00:49:55,440
whole things about so I think it's quite
1067
00:49:54,358 --> 00:49:57,179
right for people who don't think
1068
00:49:55,440 --> 00:49:59,009
themselves you can upset about it we
1069
00:49:57,179 --> 00:50:00,989
don't have the power to make films we
1070
00:49:59,009 --> 00:50:03,809
don't have the money to make films to
1071
00:50:00,989 --> 00:50:07,108
lampoon Eric Idle nor what we want to
1072
00:50:03,809 --> 00:50:09,839
but you but one of the things that puts
1073
00:50:07,108 --> 00:50:13,768
as it were the Christian community at a
1074
00:50:09,838 --> 00:50:16,108
real disadvantage is that you know our
1075
00:50:13,768 --> 00:50:18,959
Lord Himself said if somebody strikes
1076
00:50:16,108 --> 00:50:21,150
you turn the other cheek some poor tells
1077
00:50:18,960 --> 00:50:23,608
us don't be offensive to anyone
1078
00:50:21,150 --> 00:50:26,190
I think it's extraordinarily rare for
1079
00:50:23,608 --> 00:50:27,778
the religious to be funny or to be funny
1080
00:50:26,190 --> 00:50:30,749
about their religions or even about
1081
00:50:27,778 --> 00:50:32,670
anybody else's I think there is a great
1082
00:50:30,748 --> 00:50:34,980
humor vacuum at the heart of all
1083
00:50:32,670 --> 00:50:37,528
religions I don't think you ever wanted
1084
00:50:34,980 --> 00:50:39,630
to hurt anyone's feelings but sometimes
1085
00:50:37,528 --> 00:50:41,219
you know as with the Islamic world now
1086
00:50:39,630 --> 00:50:42,568
there are certain things they believe in
1087
00:50:41,219 --> 00:50:44,068
which are quite contrary to what we
1088
00:50:42,568 --> 00:50:46,139
believe and I don't really think our
1089
00:50:44,068 --> 00:50:47,759
values are less important than their so
1090
00:50:46,139 --> 00:50:50,489
I guess you just have to have a clash
1091
00:50:47,759 --> 00:50:52,829
and says that's the way it is
1092
00:50:50,489 --> 00:50:54,659
although the pythons went on to make two
1093
00:50:52,829 --> 00:50:56,848
more feature films they never achieved
1094
00:50:54,659 --> 00:50:59,670
the same success or impact as Life of
1095
00:50:56,849 --> 00:51:01,680
Brian its legacy is unquestionable and
1096
00:50:59,670 --> 00:51:03,809
it could easily be argued that it's more
1097
00:51:01,679 --> 00:51:07,230
relevant today than when it was made
1098
00:51:03,809 --> 00:51:09,150
now there's so many groups all demanding
1099
00:51:07,230 --> 00:51:10,858
don't offend don't cause the desert
1100
00:51:09,150 --> 00:51:12,510
because our and on and on
1101
00:51:10,858 --> 00:51:15,119
a Samaritan this is supposed to be a
1102
00:51:12,510 --> 00:51:17,940
Jewish section he doesn't matter you're
1103
00:51:15,119 --> 00:51:19,349
all gonna die on a diet oh it may not
1104
00:51:17,940 --> 00:51:20,940
matter to you Roman but it certainly
1105
00:51:19,349 --> 00:51:23,730
matters to us doesn't it darling a
1106
00:51:20,940 --> 00:51:25,530
rather under the terms of the Roman
1107
00:51:23,730 --> 00:51:28,920
occupancy we're entitled to be crucified
1108
00:51:25,530 --> 00:51:32,130
in a purely Jewish area Pharisees and
1109
00:51:28,920 --> 00:51:34,440
Sadducees thank you mr. Pinter wish it
1110
00:51:32,130 --> 00:51:37,440
is entirely legitimate to criticize
1111
00:51:34,440 --> 00:51:39,570
religions it has to happen we must be
1112
00:51:37,440 --> 00:51:41,159
allowed to do it we can't fall silent
1113
00:51:39,570 --> 00:51:42,930
just because it's become more
1114
00:51:41,159 --> 00:51:44,399
politically difficult I think if you
1115
00:51:42,929 --> 00:51:46,769
have a religion that can't bear being
1116
00:51:44,400 --> 00:51:49,829
made fun of or laughed at or even
1117
00:51:46,769 --> 00:51:51,480
attacked viciously then it's not a bunch
1118
00:51:49,829 --> 00:51:53,670
of a religion when you suddenly have to
1119
00:51:51,480 --> 00:51:56,159
think to yourself now can I write this
1120
00:51:53,670 --> 00:51:57,809
because it might maybe I'll be offending
1121
00:51:56,159 --> 00:51:59,608
somebody some of religious
1122
00:51:57,809 --> 00:52:01,650
susceptibilities or racial septum
1123
00:51:59,608 --> 00:52:03,900
susceptibilities I mean it's ridiculous
1124
00:52:01,650 --> 00:52:06,510
I don't understand well I do understand
1125
00:52:03,900 --> 00:52:08,519
but I don't want to accept a world of
1126
00:52:06,510 --> 00:52:11,339
such parody of such thin-skinned and of
1127
00:52:08,519 --> 00:52:13,650
such that offense is the causing offense
1128
00:52:11,338 --> 00:52:16,469
is the greatest crime you can do to
1129
00:52:13,650 --> 00:52:18,809
somebody and as to whether life of brian
1130
00:52:16,469 --> 00:52:21,598
could be made in the present day well i
1131
00:52:18,809 --> 00:52:23,699
think it ought to be made today i think
1132
00:52:21,599 --> 00:52:26,280
everybody would think twice about doing
1133
00:52:23,699 --> 00:52:29,759
it today because it is terrifying what's
1134
00:52:26,280 --> 00:52:32,099
what's happening and very very dangerous
1135
00:52:29,760 --> 00:52:34,320
i think free speech is really under
1136
00:52:32,099 --> 00:52:36,330
attack at the moment in a very devious
1137
00:52:34,320 --> 00:52:38,760
way as you get older when you get in my
1138
00:52:36,329 --> 00:52:41,130
age and I'm 66 now you realize the
1139
00:52:38,760 --> 00:52:43,920
world's a madhouse and that most people
1140
00:52:41,130 --> 00:52:45,210
are operating in fantasy anyway so once
1141
00:52:43,920 --> 00:52:46,950
you begin to realize that it doesn't
1142
00:52:45,210 --> 00:52:48,480
bother you very much comedy is not
1143
00:52:46,949 --> 00:52:49,949
particularly difficult you can get
1144
00:52:48,480 --> 00:52:52,588
laughs doing any number of things but to
1145
00:52:49,949 --> 00:52:57,169
get laughs at an intelligent level about
1146
00:52:52,588 --> 00:52:57,170
an important subject whew that's good
1147
00:53:41,849 --> 00:53:43,909
you
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