Monty Python’s Life of Brian (Blu-Ray, #61)

The anarchic irreverence of British comedy legends Monty Python is at its most inspired in this brilliant send-up of the blockbuster biblical epic. In a stable in ancient Jerusalem, a child is born—a child who will grow up to be . . . Brian (Graham Chapman), an ordinary Judean who goes on to live an extraordinary life, becoming entangled in a plot to overthrow the Roman empire and being mistaken for the Messiah, among other unlikely events. Featuring ribald Roman puns, sharp political commentary, and an audacious crucifixion-themed musical number, the Pythons’ most ambitious film is a hilarious satire of dogma and blind faith in which nothing is sacred.

• New 4K digital restoration, supervised by Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
• Alternate 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
• Two audio commentaries featuring Pythons Gilliam, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin
• The Story of Brian (2007), a making-of documentary
• The Pythons (1979), a documentary about Monty Python filmed on location for Life of Brian
• Behind-the-scenes Super 8 film shot by Palin
• Five deleted scenes with commentary by the Pythons
• Original British radio ads starring Mrs. Cleese, Mrs. Gilliam, Mrs. Idle, and Palin’s dentist
• Original illustrated recording by the Pythons of an early version of their screenplay
• Animated stills gallery
• Trailer
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: An essay by film critic Bilge Ebiri