Neil takes a look back at the groups 1983 swansong…
Why are we here?
Whats life all about?
Is God really real?
Or is there some doubt?
Well tonight, were going to sort it all out.
For tonight is the Meaning of Life!
How could we not love it?
If thats the case, then why did it win the 1983 Cannes Grand Jury Prize?
I mean, whats it all about?
So, where do six guys at the peak of their game go from there?
We all looked at each other and thought that is not a bad offer.
But in life, just like in the making ofThe Meaning Of Life,things are rarely that easy.
In fact, the group has widely maintained that the writing of this film was their most difficult.
The film was very nearly calledWorld War III.
Or do you like TheSeven Ages Of Man?
This preceding Short Feature Presentation is a classic mish-mash of Terry Gilliams fervent, chaotic, and undeniable imagination.
Rather than accepting their fates, they fight back with full-on pirate zeal and viciousness.
I wasnt being figurative here, the building literally sails here, folks.
However, whatever your thoughts on it are, you have to hand it to Gilliam.
Never has one director had a more personalised and distinct style than this lone American Python.
But, we know better, dont we?
In fact, as the film moves from act to act, things are never quite as they seem.
If only the Catholic Church had allowed him to wear one of those little rubber things.
Monty Python songs traditionally always have that extra kick of quality that a sketch needs.
This one is no exception.
With lyrics like these, what more I can say?
Every sperm is sacred, every sperm is great!
If a sperm is wasted God gets quite irate!
Terry Jones direction, choreography, and art direction is spot on.
The West Yorkshire setting serves as a cold framework for this insanely giddy, all-out musical extravaganza.
MR. BROWN:My what?
MAN:Your liver.
Its a large, ehh, glandular organ in your abdomen.
You know, its, uh, reddish brown.
They pin Mr Brown to the wall, discover his liver donors card, and get swiftly to work.
Why is something so uncomfortable and horrifying also so jaw dropping funny?
If not, then at the very least bring an umbrella.
After a meek protestation, Cleese gingerly spoons it into the behemoths mouth, and runs fast.
Are you still hungry?
It dares you too look away, but knows you cant.
It clearly revels in this, and has since become the films most…
Does the movie ever truly answer the question of lifes meaning?
Then yes, I guess it does.
But, is that really why we are drawn to this movie over and over again?
No, of course not.
We watch it for six reasons: Chapman, Cleese, Gilliam, Idle, Jones, and Palin.
These are six men who, for whatever reason, fate conspired to bring together.
To me, this film really is a grand celebration of what really made Python tick.
Ironically, this film also mirrors what was going on in the group at the time: life.
After this, there were to be no more movies or projects, at least as a cohesive group.
They were growing up, and after this final film, went their separate ways.
